As life circumstances change, keeping your estate documents up to date is essential. Without the right documents in place, decisions about your finances, health, and assets may be made without your input, or your estate may be distributed in ways you didn’t intend.
A Will outlines what you want to happen to your property, savings, heirlooms, and other assets when you pass away. If you die without a Will (called dying intestate), your estate will be distributed according to the Succession Act 2006 (NSW). This may not reflect your wishes, and your estate might go to relatives in a strict legal order, even if they were not your preferred choice. An Enduring Power of Attorney allows you to appoint someone you trust to manage your financial and legal affairs if you can’t do so yourself—for example, paying bills, selling property, or managing investments.
An Enduring Guardianship document appoints someone to make lifestyle and medical decisions on your behalf if you lose the capacity to make these decisions yourself—such as where you live or what medical care you receive.