Succession & wills
Inheritance, wills, estate documents and succession-related disputes. The first step is to understand the facts, the relevant documents and the stage your matter has reached.
Matters within this area
- Wills and estate documents
- Succession and heirship questions
- Family arrangements and disputes
What to bring
Bring the complete papers, including attachments and previous responses. Useful starting documents can include the following.
- Death and relationship records
- Wills, deeds and asset information
- Details of known heirs and existing proceedings
Questions before we speak
How do I arrange a conversation?
Call or email the office with your preferred time and a brief description of the subject. Arrange the discussion before sending sensitive documents.
Can you assess the likely result from a short message?
A meaningful assessment depends on the facts, complete documents, applicable law and procedural stage. A short message is a starting point for arranging that review.
Guides for this area
Browse all 15 guidesSuccession after a death — choosing the legal framework
Identify the deceased's applicable personal law, any will and the type of asset before calculating shares or applying for a certificate.
FamilyA nomination and inheritance rights
A nomination is an asset-specific arrangement. Do not assume that naming a nominee conclusively settles beneficial inheritance for every kind of asset.
FamilySuccession certificates for debts and securities
A succession certificate concerns specified debts and securities. It is not a general title deed for every immovable asset in an estate.
FamilyA will and a nomination — organising both records
Preserve both documents and identify the asset each concerns. A nomination and a will perform different functions and may require an asset-specific legal assessment.
FamilyPreparing instructions for a will
Begin with the property you actually own, the people to benefit and the person proposed to administer the estate. Clear instructions reduce ambiguity before…
FamilyWitnesses and execution of a will
Choose an execution process that satisfies the applicable law and can later be proved. A signature on a page is not the entire legal inquiry.