Recommendation for Solicitor - Hills District, Sydney

Hi All,

I'm looking for recommendations for a reliable & professional Solicitor who can assist with Estate Planning & preparation of a Will in the Hills District (Sydney) ?

Thanks

New Guy88

 

How fancy are you looking for? Trusts etc? What would you consider to be a reasonable cost for a simple will and a fancy will?

 

It's a simple Husband & Wife Will for a friend, they are looking at spending less than $400 if possible ? ... Doesn't have to be a large firm ...

 

Assets, super, life insurance, kids?

The question might be whether they or the beneficiaries would benefit from a more complex will, which would cost more. These days having a ppor, some life insurance can easily come to a few million dollars. If they have kids and grandkids....

May be that some costs up front are worth it. Most people probably dont realise what you can do with a properly planned will. Dont miss what you dont guess maybe? But a testamentary trust with a mil in it.... will cost more than $400 tho.

 

If a lawyer were to charge $400 you might be better off with a will kit...

 

Yes they have a PPOR with mortgage + super with kids, no other assets, looking at buying an IP ... Any recommendations? Thanks

 

Average is $550 inclusive of GST .... found 1 at Kellyville $385 inclusive of GST ...

 

Think of what you get with that....

Better than no will. Just.

Wills should be seen as part of tax planning. If they also select accountants based on the lowest cost, they deserve what they get.

Wills are the sort of thing you sign and forget about. They have few assets now, but in 40 years?

 

Why do people chase cheapy deals/advice on one of the most important documents they will ever enter into/sign ?

 

Because few people can think long term.

 

It takes me about 2 hours for the initial interview for a will, and then you have to prepare a draft present it to the client, make amendments, present it again explain it all etc.

Even a simple will should take about 4 hours of a lawyers time.

If you go to a $385 lawyer they are just going to say, 'him to her, her to him' slap a name on a template and sign here....

 

Thanks everyone for your feedback & advice, I will pass on .... Didn't get any actual recommendations ?

 

Because your friend wont pay for good advice and recommending lawyers who charge 400 for a will would be unconscionable.

 

Please advise how much your good advice costs? And your recommendation ? ... So I can pass on

 

for a simple will probably $1200 + gst to very complex $5,000 or so

 

That sounds like a very reasonable price for such an important doco as a will.

Is there any ongoing costs involved with Wills ?

 

Not until death!

Perhaps a review every few years might be in order, the odd amendment if the will is not flexible and people die, are born, divorce, new assets are purchased etc.

 

Thanks

 

The problem is that most people dont realise what the difference is between a $400 will and a $4000 one. Its hard to ask people to think ahead to after theyre dead, and with tax issues that are only applied when someone dies. Especially to people who dont understand tax anyway.

Terry, do you usually start with a simple will and then recommend a more complex one after explaining what testamentary trusts do?

 

I just don't do simple wills. I think it would be almost negligent to draft a 3 or 4 pager - unless perhaps the person had no assets and never would.