Wills and Estate Planning Lawyers in Balwyn
Making a Will is one of the most important things you can do for your family.
A properly prepared Will helps ensure your assets go where you intend, your loved ones are looked after, and important decisions are made by people you trust.
At Grice Legal, we provide practical and personalised estate planning advice for individuals, couples and families throughout Balwyn, Boroondara and Melbourne's eastern suburbs.
Why Having a Will Matters
Many people assume they don't need a Will because they are too young, don't own significant assets, or expect everything will simply pass to their family.
Unfortunately, life is rarely that simple.
A professionally prepared Will allows you to:
Choose who receives your assets
Appoint guardians for young children
Protect vulnerable beneficiaries
Minimise risks of family conflict
Give clear guidance to your executors
Create long-term asset protection strategies
Most importantly, it provides certainty at a difficult time for those you leave behind.
Why Use a Lawyer instead of DIY Will?
Online templates and DIY Will kits can appear inexpensive.
However, many people do not realise that a Will is only one part of an effective estate plan.
We don't simply prepare documents.
We help you consider:
Family dynamics
Superannuation
Tax issues
Asset protection
Testamentary trusts
Blended family considerations
Future incapacity planning
Our role is to reduce uncertainty and help ensure your wishes are carried out.
What Happens if You Don’t Have a Will?
If you die without a valid Will, Victorian law determines who receives your estate.
That may not reflect your wishes.
Without a properly prepared Will:
Your family may face additional legal costs
Estate administration can become more complex
Family disputes are more likely
Your preferred guardians for children may not be known
Asset protection opportunities may be lost
A Will gives you control instead of leaving important decisions to legislation.
Our Estate Planning Services
Some key components of your estate plan may include one or more of the below documents.
-
Drafting and reviewing wills to ensure they accurately reflect the individual's wishes regarding the distribution of their assets upon their death.
-
Establishing trusts to hold assets for the benefit of specific beneficiaries, providing asset protection, tax benefits, and control over how assets are distributed.
-
Assisting clients in appointing someone to make financial or legal decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated.
Our power of attorney lawyers can help you appoint trusted decision-makers for financial, legal and personal matters. -
Helping clients document their wishes regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care in case they are unable to communicate them themselves.
-
Advising clients on how to designate beneficiaries for their superannuation benefits to ensure they are distributed according to their wishes.
-
Conducting periodic reviews of estate plans to ensure they remain up-to-date and aligned with the client's current circumstances and objectives.
-
Assisting clients in appointing guardians for minor children or adults with disabilities and navigating legal issues related to capacity and decision-making.
Our Process
-
![A smiling man talking on the phone and a woman looking at a laptop screen together in a cozy, well-lit room with large windows and plants.]()
1. Book Your Appointment
Choose the appointment format that suits you best:
In person at our Balwyn office
Video conference
Telephone appointment
You can book online at a time that suits you, or call our office and we will arrange an appointment.
Before your appointment, we will send you an online intake form. Completing this form in advance allows us to gather the key information we need before we meet. This means your appointment can focus on understanding your circumstances, goals and wishes, rather than spending valuable time collecting basic information.
-
![Two people sitting at a desk watching a woman on a video call on a desktop computer. The woman on the screen is speaking and gesturing, wearing glasses and a blazer, in a room with bookshelves.]()
2. Meet With Your Lawyer
You will meet with one of our experienced lawyers to discuss your personal circumstances, family situation and estate planning objectives.
During this appointment, we will:
Discuss your wishes for your assets and estate
Consider who should act as your executor, attorney and medical treatment decision-maker
Identify any potential risks or issues that should be addressed
Answer your questions and provide tailored advice
Our goal is to understand what matters most to you so we can prepare documents that reflect your wishes and protect you and your loved ones.
-
![A man and woman sitting at a wooden table reviewing documents in a bright, modern kitchen.]()
3. Review Your Tailored Draft Documents
Following your appointment, we will prepare your estate planning documents and provide draft copies for your review.
Depending on your circumstances, these may include:
A Will
Enduring Power of Attorney
Appointment of Medical Treatment Decision Maker
Testamentary trust provisions
Other supporting estate planning documents
You will have the opportunity to review the drafts carefully and discuss any amendments or questions with us. We will make any required changes to ensure the documents accurately reflect your wishes before they are signed.
-
![Three businesspeople, two women and one man, in formal attire, are sitting at a desk in an office, signing documents and smiling.]()
4. Final Meeting and Signing
Once you are happy with the draft documents, we will arrange a final appointment.
At this meeting, we will:
Review the final documents with you
Answer any remaining questions
Explain the effect of each document
Arrange for all documents to be properly signed and witnessed
When the signing process is complete, your estate plan will be finalised and ready to provide certainty and peace of mind for you and your family.
Estate Planning Packages to Suit All Needs
-
![White letter G on a dark red background.]()
Foundation
For those who want a solid and reliable will but don't need anything complex.
Includes a straightforward will with executors and simple gifting clauses.
Single - $850 inc GST
Couple - $1,350 inc GST -
![White letter G on a blue background.]()
Protection
Asset protection for beneficiaries is covered in our entry-level estate plan package.
Includes a will with executors, guardians and simple gifting arrangements. Plus an enduring power of attorney and appointment of a medical treatment decision-maker
Single - $1,450 inc GST
Couple - $2,250 inc GST -
![Blue background with a large white letter G in the center.]()
Legacy
Our premium estate plan package. A plan that safeguards your assets and well-being.
Includes a testamentary trust will, a power of attorney, appointment of medical treatment decision-makers, and superannuation beneficiary nomination.
Single - $2,550 inc GST
Couples - $3,950 inc GST -
![White letter 'G' on a dark gray background.]()
Bespoke
For when life gets complicated. Ideal for those with blended families, complex gifting arrangements or wishing to exclude beneficiaries from their will.
Includes the necessary documents to ensure your wishes are protected and honoured.
POA
Why Choose Grice Legal for Your Estate Plan?
Choosing the right estate planning lawyer is essential because there are many different components of an estate plan – some of which work best in certain situations and others that do not. With Grice Legal, you can trust that your affairs are in capable hands. We deliver personalised solutions that prioritise your best interests.
Our current clients choose us, too, because we provide more than just a service - we build lasting relationships. We help ensure that your estate plan reflects your ongoing needs and goals throughout your life. Estate plans should change as you reach certain milestones, like having a second child, purchasing a second home, or starting a new business. We understand that the plan you create today may not be the same tomorrow, and so we are here to advise you when updates are needed.
From Our Clients
-
![Five red stars aligned horizontally.]()
"Nicholas was a patient and a very good listener. He understood my concerns and gave advice accordingly. I feel that I am in good hands."
-
![Five maroon-colored stars in a row.]()
"After my appointment with Rachael I am confident that I now have the right person handle my legal issues."
-
![Five maroon stars aligned in a row.]()
"Our initial appointment certainly met and exceeded expectations. It was extremely informative and we received the advice we needed. Thank you!"
-
![Five maroon stars in a horizontal row.]()
"Anna was very professional, friendly and very helpful"
-
![Five maroon five-pointed stars in a row]()
"Rachael gives clear, informed goals. She shows understanding and empathy for your particular needs and sets outs steps to achieve them."
-
![Five red stars arranged in a horizontal row.]()
"Nicholas provided me with excellent, timely, professional service and I am confident he will continue to do so should I require it."
-
![Five maroon-colored stars in a row]()
"Anna was just a pleasure to have working for us. She was always clear and thorough, advocating for us and advising us along the way of buying our new house. We would totally recommend her and her service."
-
![Five maroon-colored stars aligned in a row.]()
"I found Grice Legal to be extremely helpful and efficient with their advice and prompt with all the required paperwork in completing my will requirement, veery approachable staff. I can fully recommend their services"
Speak With Our Balwyn Estate Planning Lawyers
If you are searching for a wills lawyer, power of attorney lawyer or estate planning lawyer near Balwyn, contact Grice Legal or begin your estate-planning instructions online.