Recorded Webinar: Will Drafting Essentials for Junior Lawyers

The importance of drafting a valid will cannot be overestimated, but equally as important is the need to make sure the will accurately reflects the intention of the testator and clearly deals with asset distribution. This session will briefly reiterate the basics of making a will and provides advice on key drafting issues for the practitioner in this area, including:

• Meeting the legislative requirements
• Taking and recording client instructions
• Executor options and powers
• Asset descriptions and managing changes in asset holdings and value between will making and death
• Anticipating births, deaths and relationship changes in beneficiary selection
• How to effectively cover family relationship issues and exclusion of beneficiaries
• Dispute resolution management: building in protections
• Drafting to minimise income tax, CGT and stamp duty obligations
• The role of testamentary trusts
• Dealing with the residuary estate
• Reading and checking the will with your client
• Execution requirements and witnesses