What is a Will?

A Will is a legal document that clearly sets out your wishes for the distribution of your assets after your death. Having a clear, legally valid and up-to-date Will is the best way to ensure that your assets are protected and distributed according to your wishes. Current studies show that 40% of Australians do not have a valid Will. Should you die without a Will your estate may be divided according to a Government formula – a formula that may not reflect your wishes and which may cause undue hardship, cost and delay for your family. In situations where your nearest living relatives are cousins, your estate will go to the State Government.

Your Will is probably the most important document you will ever sign, so it’s advisable that you have it prepared by an expert who is supported by accountants, taxation, investment and legal professionals such as those we have on staff at Public Trustee NSW.

Why make my Will With the Public Trustee?

• By writing your Will using Public Trustee NSW, you are choosing an organisation that has over 90 years experience in writing Wills and has written 900,000 Wills.
• The Public Trustee was established by an Act of Parliament so, unlike a private executor, we will always be around to ensure that your wishes are carried out with impartiality and integrity.
• By choosing the Public Trustee, you will avoid any potential bias in estate administration. Public Trustee NSW provides a full estate administration service starting from the time you die until all necessary steps are completed:
• As your executor we take on full responsibility for administering your valuable assets in accordance with your wishes.
• Our fees reflect the responsibility of being executor and are set lower than other Trustee companies.
• In trusts created by your Will we meet all legal and investment requirements for the lifetime of the Trust.
• All money that the Public Trustee receives from an estate is placed in the Public Trustee’s Common Fund which pays a competitive interest rate.
• You can make and change your Will as often as required and store your Will at no charge.

Making your Will with the Public Trustee as your executor is free of charge, as are any subsequent updates you make as your circumstances change. Fees for estate administration are only incurred when the estate is administered.

To make your Will with the Public Trustee call us on 1300 364 103 or use our on-line Will Process Form.