Why are you giving me homework?

I know, Estate Planning is overwhelming enough, who in their right mind would add to the process?

I would.  The reason I do is because I see what happens when the legal or financial adviser doesn’t fully understand the asset position (often because the client did not fully understand it and therefore did not properly instruct the solicitor). I will also note that for Wills we do not charge an hourly rate, we charge a flat fee, so I am creating more work here for the same fee. I am doing this because after years of helping people with Estates I just do not feel like a Will alone is enough.

Superannuation

As an example, one issue that often comes up is superannuation.  I don’t just want you to tell me what your superannuation is, I want you to give me your superannuation statements. Why? So I can personally check what is happening.  Since I have started doing this I have found that for the vast majority of people what they tell me is happening with their superannuation and what is actually happening with their superannuation are two different things.

You can read more about that in my previous post. All of that is for me to think about, and for me to advise you.  I can give you better advice though if I properly understand your financial situation.

Let’s help the Executor

Also, even if you fully and correctly understand your financial situation, have you ever been an Executor yourself?  Have you ever gone to someone’s house and tried to search through their belongings and find the relevant documents?

What if there was a service that could do that for you?

I save all of your documents on file so that when your Executor does one day come to see me not only will they get your Estate documents, they will also get all of your financial documents.  This way, even if the Executor doesn’t instruct me to act on your Estate, you will still be helping your Executor out by letting them know where to start with your documents.

I also do a yearly update call with you, partly to check if anything has changed and needs addressing, and partly to check if you have changed banks or insurers and want to send me some updated documents to keep on file.

Next steps

If you are thinking of getting started with your Estate Planning process click on the button below and make a 15 minute free phone appointment with me to discuss your situation and how I can help.  Don’t worry, here at Novus we are very flexible and yes I do after hours calls.

Alternatively you can email me at janis@novuslawgroup.com.au and we can make a time to chat.