Wills in Wodonga

Making a will in Wodonga

A will made in Wodonga is governed by Victorian law, principally the Wills Act 1997 (Vic). For a will to be valid it must be in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by two people who are present at the same time and who are not beneficiaries. That sounds simple, and it is exactly why home-made and kit wills fail so often: an incorrect signing, an out-of-date gift, or wording that does not do what the will-maker assumed, and the family ends up in the Supreme Court sorting it out.

When we prepare your will, we take detailed instructions about your family, your assets and what you want to happen, then draft a document that actually achieves it. You sign it correctly, we hold a copy in safe custody if you wish, and you leave knowing it is done properly.

What a well-drafted will covers

• Your executor. The person who administers your estate. Choosing the right executor, and a backup, saves your family significant cost and delay.
• Specific gifts and the residue. Who receives what, expressed so it still works if assets are sold, accounts are closed or beneficiaries die before you.
• Guardianship of children. Who raises your children if both parents die while they are under 18.
• Blended families. Providing for a current partner and children of a former relationship without inviting a claim against the estate. This is the single most common source of will disputes we see.
• Superannuation and life insurance. These often sit outside your will entirely. We advise on binding death benefit nominations so the whole estate plan pulls in one direction.

Powers of attorney and medical decision makers

A will only speaks after death. Just as important are the documents that protect you while you are alive: an enduring power of attorney under the Powers of Attorney Act 2014 (Vic) for financial and personal decisions, and the appointment of a medical treatment decision maker. We prepare these alongside your will so one appointment covers the lot.

Living in Wodonga, assets in New South Wales?

Many Wodonga families hold property or family across the river in Albury. NSW law differs from Victorian law on powers of attorney, guardianship and family provision claims. Because Harris Lieberman practises on both sides of the border every day, your estate plan is drafted to work in both states. If you live on the NSW side, see our wills in Albury page.

When to update your will

Marriage generally revokes a will. Divorce revokes gifts to a former spouse. New children, a new business, a property purchase or the death of an executor all mean your will needs another look. As a rule of thumb: review it every three to five years, or whenever life changes shape.

Next step

Making or updating a will usually takes two short appointments at our Wodonga office. Read about our broader wills and estate planning services, our estate planning work, and what happens after a death in our grant of probate guide, or contact us to book a time.