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Will & Estates Lawyer Burnie

Protect your legacy with confidence through expert wills & estates advice at Whitelaw Legal.

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Disputes over wills and estates are on the rise in Tasmanian courts. As the baby boomer generation transitions their wealth to the next generation, many are turning to wills, trusts, or family financial agreements to ensure their wishes are carried out. However, even with careful planning, disputes can arise—often leading to costly legal battles that diminish the estate’s value.
 

At Whitelaw Legal Group, we specialise in protecting estates and ensuring fair outcomes for beneficiaries. Whether you’re drafting a will, navigating a dispute, or seeking to challenge an unfair distribution, our team is here to guide you every step of  the way.

How We Can Help with Your Will & Estate Needs

With decades of experience in wills and estates, we understand the emotional and financial complexities involved. Our goal is to safeguard your legacy while minimising stress, time, and costs. Here’s how we can help:

  • Reviewing Wills: We’ll assess the validity of any will and provide clear, actionable advice.
  • Challenging a Will: If a will is likely to be deemed invalid, we’ll guide you through the process of contesting it.
  • Family Provision Claims: We’ll advise on claims for family provision and maintenance, whether or not a will exists.
  • Mediation Services: We offer mediation to help families reach amicable agreements without costly court battles.
  • Court Representation: If litigation is unavoidable, our skilled lawyers will represent your interests effectively.
 
last will and testament

Why You Should Hire a Will & Estate Lawyer

Estate disputes can quickly escalate, leading to prolonged court battles that cost the estate $50,000 or more in legal fees. Litigation can take 1–2 years, with potential appeals extending the process even further.

We prioritise out-of-court resolutions through negotiation, mediation, and settlement agreements. This approach:

  • Saves time and money
  • Reduces emotional stress
  • Helps maintain family relationships
  • Ensures fair and legally sound outcomes

Most out-of-court settlements are still approved by the court, providing security and fi nality to all parties involved.

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Unfair Will & Estate Distribution – What Can I Do?

“My father recently passed away, and I believe his will unfairly distributes his estate between my brothers and me. My two older brothers are joint executors and are applying for probate. What are my options?”

The law respects an individual’s right to distribute their estate as they wish. However, it also ensures fairness—if a will fails to provide adequately for a spouse or children without proper justifi cation, the court can intervene to correct the unfairness.

There are three key legal avenues in will disputes:

  1. Challenging the validity of the will – If the will was made under undue influence, fraud, or lacks proper execution, it may be  invalid.
  2. Filing a family provision claim – If you were unfairly left out or inadequately provided for, you may be entitled to a larger share.
  3. Addressing intestacy issues – If no will exists, Tasmanian succession laws determine asset distribution, but adjustments  can be made for fairness.

Our firm specialises in navigating these complex legal  matters, offering strategic advice and practical solutions to ensure a just outcome.

Will Disputes - The WLG 8-Step System

Our method involves an 8-step system with a timeline of 6-8 weeks and average cost of $2,500 – 5,000.

  1. Diagnosis – Evaluating the dispute and deciding if it is suitable for our non-litigious service.
  2. Triage – Evaluating the needs of the dispute in terms of best methods, strategies, choice of dispute manager/resolver, cost efficiency, timeline, special needs, etc.
  3. Prognosis – Providing our prognosis to the client(s).
  4. Blueprint – Writing up a dispute management blueprint.
  5. Agreement – Preparing a dispute management agreement based on the blueprint.
  6. Contain and Deescalate – Taking immediate preemptive steps to contain, de-escalate and stabilise the dispute.
  7. Manage – Managing the dispute in accordance with the blueprint and dispute resolution agreement.
  8. Resolve – Facilitating early dispute resolution without litigation and at a fraction of the cost of litigation.

Get Trusted Legal Support for Your Will & Estate Matters

At Whitelaw Legal Group, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of  beneficiaries and ensuring estates are distributed fairly and efficiently. Whether you need help drafting a will, challenging a will, or resolving a dispute, our experienced team is here to assist.

Contact Us Today

Call us on 03 6251 1730 or email admin@wlgroup.com.au to make an appointment. We offer an initial consultation at no cost to you, where we will:

  • Meet with you
  • Discuss your case
  • Listen to your concerns
  • Answer your questions
  • Develop a roadmap to resolve your dispute

It’s that simple. Let us help you navigate your will disputes with confidence and ease and safeguard your family’s financial future.

Get a FREE initial Consultation

Contact US

Welcome To Our Whitelaw Legal Group.

Suite 1, first floor, 83A Wilson Street BURNIE TAS 7320

03 6251 1730
61 0414975 370

admin@wlgroup.com.au

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