Will Creation and Execution
This area of wills law focuses on the legal requirements for creating a valid will. It includes aspects such as testamentary capacity, formalities for executing a will (such as witnessing and signing), and the use of digital or electronic wills.
Intestate Succession
This aspect deals with the distribution of assets when an individual dies without a valid will. It encompasses the legal framework that determines how the estate is divided among the deceased person’s heirs according to the rules of intestacy.
Testamentary Trusts
This area covers the establishment and administration of trusts created through a will. It includes provisions for managing and distributing assets for specific purposes or beneficiaries, such as minor children, individuals with special needs, or charitable organisations.
Executorship and Administration
This aspect addresses the roles and responsibilities of executors, who are appointed in a will to administer the estate. It includes the legal obligations of executors, obtaining grants of probate or letters of administration, asset valuation, debt settlement, and distribution of assets to beneficiaries.
Will Revocation and Amendment
This area deals with the legal mechanisms for revoking or amending an existing will. It covers the requirements for valid revocation, such as creating a new will or executing a revocation document, and the implications of subsequent wills or codicils.
Construction and Interpretation
This aspect focuses on the interpretation and construction of will provisions to determine the testator’s intent. It involves resolving ambiguities, rectifying mistakes, and addressing issues of ademption, lapse, or failure of gifts.
Family Provision and Testamentary Capacity Challenges
This area involves disputes or challenges to the validity or terms of a will. It includes claims for family provision, where certain individuals may seek a greater share of the estate, as well as challenges based on allegations of lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, or fraud.
Digital Assets and Estate Planning
This emerging aspect of our global wills law services deals with the legal considerations regarding digital assets in estate planning, including online accounts, cryptocurrencies, and digital content. It addresses issues of access, ownership, and distribution of digital assets after death.
International Wills and Cross-Border Estate Planning
This area focuses on the essential part of our cross-border estate planning services, which cater to wills that have an international element, such as assets located in different jurisdictions or individuals with foreign connections
Living Wills and Advance Directives
This aspect involves the legal instruments that allow individuals to express their wishes regarding medical treatment and end-of-life decisions in case of incapacity. It includes living wills, healthcare proxies, and advance directives, which are separate from traditional wills but are essential components of comprehensive estate planning.