Wills and Estate Lawyers Brisbane
From our Kenmore office, Melrose Keys Lawyers helps Brisbane families prepare wills, powers of attorney and estate plans, and guides executors and families through probate and estate disputes, so you can focus on the people you are planning for.
Wills and estate planning to protect what matters most
A good estate plan makes sure your assets go to the people you choose, reduces the chance of family disputes and helps avoid unnecessary tax and costs for your beneficiaries.
We take time to understand your family, your assets and what you want to happen, then prepare documents that fit. It is about more than paperwork: it is making sure the people you love are looked after and your wishes are followed.
What is estate planning?
Estate planning is deciding what happens to your assets when you die, and who makes decisions for you if you cannot. It usually includes a will, and can also include trusts, superannuation nominations, enduring powers of attorney and an advance health directive.
When should you start?
Estate planning is not just for older or wealthy people. Anyone who owns assets or has people who depend on them should have a will. Good times to start, or update your plan, are when you marry, separate, have a child or buy a home.
When is it most important?
A clear plan matters most when your situation is complex: blended families, a business or trust, significant assets, or family members who may not agree. In these cases a well-drafted plan can prevent costly disputes later.
How to get started
Get in touch
Call us, send a message or visit our Kenmore office. We will arrange a first meeting to talk about what you need.
Gather your information
Bring details of your assets, debts, family and any particular wishes. The more we know, the more useful our advice will be.
Meet with us
We talk you through your options, answer your questions and explain the next steps. Everything we prepare follows Queensland law.
Our wills and estate services
We help with wills, trusts, superannuation nominations, enduring powers of attorney, probate and estate administration, and contested wills. That includes people with more complex assets such as trusts and companies.
Wills
We draft wills that clearly set out who receives your assets and who you want as guardian for young children. We make sure your will is valid and says exactly what you intend.
Trusts and asset protection
We advise on trusts, including testamentary trusts set up in your will, to protect assets and provide for particular beneficiaries. We recommend the structure that suits your situation and keep tax in mind.
Superannuation nominations
Super does not automatically follow your will. We advise on binding and non-binding death benefit nominations so your super goes where you want it to.
Enduring powers of attorney and advance health directives
If you were to lose capacity, who would make financial, personal and health decisions for you? We prepare enduring powers of attorney and advance health directives under Queensland law, so the people you trust can act for you when it matters most.
Probate and estate administration
When someone dies, the executor named in their will usually needs a grant of probate from the Supreme Court of Queensland before banks and other institutions will release the estate assets. We prepare and file the application, help you identify and collect the assets, pay debts and taxes, and distribute the estate to the beneficiaries. If there is no valid will, we can help the next of kin apply for letters of administration.
Contesting or defending a will
If you have been left out of a will, or not adequately provided for, you may be able to make a family provision claim. In Queensland a spouse, child or dependant of the deceased can apply, but strict time limits apply: written notice of your intention to claim must generally be given within 6 months of the death, and the court application filed within 9 months. We also act for executors defending these claims.
What our clients say about us
Meet some of our family lawyers
Melissa Paet
Hayder Shkara
