Wills and estates involve fulfilling your legal responsibility to plan for the future, defining who manages your financial and medical affairs if you lose capacity, and ensuring your property and assets are transferred according to your wishes.
Hall Payne Lawyers provides specialised counsel to simplify this process. We craft legally sound Wills and Powers of Attorney, along with managing all aspects of estate administration and probate across Queensland. Our goal is to provide clarity and peace of mind, ensuring your wishes are protected and your loved ones are supported.
Hall Payne Lawyers is a nationally recognised law firm with extensive experience in wills, estate planning, deceased estates, and estate administration. While our backgrounds and families may differ, death is a certainty we all face. Our wills and estates lawyers work with individuals, families, and professionals across Australia, providing practical guidance tailored to your personal circumstances, family dynamics, and long-term intentions.
Whether you are preparing a will, reviewing existing arrangements, or managing a loved one’s estate, our approach combines clarity, care, and sound legal advice to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Find answers to common questions about our practice and how we work.
If you die without a will, your estate is distributed according to intestacy laws, which may not reflect your wishes. This can lead to delays, additional costs and unintended outcomes for loved ones.
Think of Probate as the legal ‘green light’ for an estate. In other words, it is the court-supervised process that officially validates the deceased person’s will and formally confirms the Executor’s authority. Without this step, banks, land registries, and superannuation funds will often refuse to release assets, meaning the Executor cannot complete their vital role of distributing the estate according to the instructions laid out in the will.
Probate is usually required when dealing with significant assets, such as property or substantial bank accounts held in the deceased’s name.
The probate process can take several months, depending on the complexity of the estate and whether any issues arise.
A letter of administration is issued when someone dies without a valid will, appointing an administrator to manage the estate.
A power of attorney generally ceases if you lose capacity. An enduring power of attorney continues, allowing decisions to be made on your behalf when you are unable to do so.
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From straightforward will preparation to complex estate administration and disputes, Wills and estates law covers a wide range of situations. Our lawyers provide tailored advice based on your needs, ensuring your wishes are properly documented and your legal obligations are met.
Making a will is a vital part of estate planning. A properly prepared will ensure your assets are distributed according to your final intentions and can help prevent disputes later. Our legal team assists with will preparation for both simple and more complex situations, including blended families, business interests and superannuation considerations.
It’s never too early to start thinking about a will. Life changes, like getting married, welcoming a child, or coping with the loss of a loved one, often remind us how important it is to protect the people and things we care about most.
Hall Payne offers an online will option for people with straightforward circumstances who want a simple starting point. While our kit can be convenient, it’s important to understand its limitations.
If you need further assistance, our team is here to advise whether an online will is suitable or if personalised legal guidance is the better choice.
The cost of making a will depends on its complexity and your personal circumstances. We are transparent about fees. We will explain your options clearly as we begin to understand your needs, before any work begins.
If you believe a will does not adequately provide for you, or was made under concerning circumstances, you may be entitled to contest a will. Our lawyers can advise on eligibility, strict time limits and the appropriate steps to take, helping you understand your position before proceeding.
Estate planning goes beyond making a will. It involves planning for future events, managing assets, and ensuring your affairs are structured in a way that protects your interests and those of your beneficiaries. Our estate planning lawyers provide advice on trusts, superannuation and succession planning.
After a loved one has died, administering their estate can be complex and emotionally demanding. Hall Payne assists executors and family members with deceased estate matters, including probate, letters of administration and estate distribution, ensuring legal requirements are met efficiently and respectfully.
An enduring power of attorney lets someone you trust make important decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so. Here’s what you need to know to better understand how it works and why it matters.
A power of attorney authorises another person to act for you in financial or legal matters. It can be limited, for example, to handle a specific property sale or manage banking while you’re overseas; or broad, giving ongoing authority to manage a range of affairs.
Many people choose to appoint a power of attorney as part of broader estate planning, particularly where illness, travel or age may impact future decision-making. Doing so provides peace of mind, so that you know your affairs are being looked after for your benefit.
For straightforward situations, Hall Payne Lawyers provides an online enduring power of attorney option. Our lawyers can also assist with more complex arrangements or review existing documents.
Concerned about protecting your loved ones or navigating estate matters? Our blog offers practical articles and updates from our legal team on wills, estate planning, probate, and related topics.
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