Wills Lawyer Gawler
Practical advice. Clear wishes. A plan for the people who matter.
Arrange a Wills Appointment | Call 0431 614 696
Looking for a wills lawyer Gawler families can turn to for personal advice? PA Law Pty Ltd helps you make or update a will that reflects your circumstances, your relationships and what you want to happen to your estate.
Based in Evanston South, we assist clients in Gawler, Adelaide and throughout South Australia. Whether this is your first will or your plans have changed, start with a conversation about what matters to you.
Wills lawyer Gawler: advice tailored to your circumstances
A useful will starts with understanding your situation. You may want to provide for a partner, support children, leave a particular gift or revisit arrangements made years ago. Your wills lawyer helps you work through these choices and record your instructions clearly.
PA Law assists with preparing new wills and reviewing existing wills. Tell us about any previous documents, family concerns or assets held interstate so these can be considered together. You do not need to arrive with every decision already made.
Meet Manal Amro, Principal Solicitor of PA Law, and learn about the practice. Appointments are available by arrangement, including telephone and Microsoft Teams consultations where appropriate. We will discuss how instructions and signing can be arranged for your circumstances.
View Manal Amro’s professional profile on LinkedIn (opens in a new tab)
What should you consider when making a will?
Choosing an executor
Your executor is responsible for administering your estate after your death. Consider someone trustworthy, organised and willing to take on the role. Speak with them before naming them, and consider a substitute if your first choice cannot act. The right arrangement may differ depending on your family and the work your estate is likely to involve.
For information about the work involved after a death, see our probate and estate administration services.
Beneficiaries, gifts and the remainder of your estate
Think about who you want to benefit, whether you want to leave specific items or amounts, and how the remainder of your estate should be shared. Consider what you would want if a beneficiary died before you. Bring the full names of intended beneficiaries and details of any charity you wish to include.
Children and family circumstances
If you have young children, discuss your wishes for their care and how an inheritance should be managed. A guardianship nomination needs to be considered alongside the rights of a surviving parent and the court’s role; it is not an unconditional guarantee of who will care for a child.
Blended families, estrangement, dependants and unequal gifts deserve careful discussion. Explain your circumstances privately so the advice can address your intentions and potential difficulties. No will can be guaranteed to prevent a challenge.
Property, superannuation and other assets
Do not assume your will controls everything you own or benefit from. How property is owned can affect how it passes on death. Bring details of jointly owned property, companies and trusts so the arrangements can be checked.
Superannuation does not automatically form part of your estate. Death benefit nominations and your fund’s rules need to be considered alongside your will. Read ASIC Moneysmart’s guidance on who gets your super if you die, and bring your current nominations to your appointment.
Making a valid will in South Australia
The Succession Act 2023 (SA) governs wills in South Australia and commenced on 1 January 2025. Making a will involves both your ability to make the relevant decisions and the formal requirements for the document.
Generally, a will must be in writing and signed with the intention of giving it effect. The maker must sign or acknowledge their signature with at least two witnesses present at the same time. The witnesses then sign in the maker’s presence. Special circumstances require specific advice.
The Legal Services Commission explains signing and witnessing a will. Do not assume an online form, an electronic signature or an unwitnessed note will satisfy the requirements. Ask your wills lawyer about the appropriate signing arrangements before signing your draft.
When should you review your will?
Review your will when your relationships, assets or wishes change, and periodically even if nothing major has happened. Useful prompts include:
- Marriage, separation, divorce or a registered relationship.
- The birth or adoption of a child.
- The death or changed circumstances of an executor or beneficiary.
- Buying or selling property, starting a business or receiving an inheritance.
- Moving interstate or acquiring overseas assets.
Marriage and the commencement of a registered relationship can revoke an existing will, subject to exceptions. Divorce and the legal ending of a registered relationship can affect gifts and appointments. Separation alone should not be assumed to remove an ex-partner from your will. Seek advice promptly rather than waiting until a property settlement is finished.
Bring the existing signed will and any codicils for review. Avoid handwriting changes onto an executed document.
Ask PA Law to review your existing will.
Your Wills appointment: 3 steps to get started
1. Tell us what you need
Call 0431 614 696 or contact PA Law. Let us know whether you need a new will or a review, and mention any urgent circumstances. Confirm the appointment format and what to bring when arranging your consultation.
2. Prepare the key information
Gather your existing will, a broad list of assets and liabilities, superannuation nominations and the names of proposed executors and beneficiaries. Note any questions about children, family relationships, a business or an overseas connection. A simple list is a useful starting point; you can discuss any missing information with us.
3. Work through your instructions and signing
Your instructions guide the drafting. Take time to check names, gifts, appointments and any alternatives before the document is finalised. Ask about anything you do not understand. Discuss the signing requirements, storage of the original and when a future review may be needed.
What to bring to your wills lawyer
You do not need a perfect filing system before asking for advice. A short summary of your circumstances helps your wills lawyer identify what needs further discussion. Start with the information below and tell PA Law if something is unavailable or uncertain.
Your existing documents
Bring your current will and any codicils, even if they were made many years ago or in another state. Note where the signed original is held. If you have only a copy, say so. Include any agreement or court order that you think may affect what you can leave to someone, rather than deciding for yourself that it is irrelevant.
The people you want to include
Prepare full names and relationships for your proposed executors, beneficiaries and any substitutes. Check the legal name of a charity before specifying a gift. If two family members have similar names, make that clear. You can also list the people whose circumstances you need to discuss privately, including anyone financially dependent on you.
A practical asset overview
List property, accounts, investments, significant personal items, debts and any business or trust interests. Exact valuations may not be necessary for an initial conversation, but how an asset is owned can be important. Include superannuation and insurance arrangements so your instructions can be considered alongside them. Ask how sensitive documents should be provided; do not send passwords or account access details.
Your questions and priorities
Write down what you most want the will to achieve and what worries you. Examples include providing for a partner while considering children from an earlier relationship, choosing an executor who lives elsewhere, or leaving an item with sentimental value. Bring questions about the drafting process, the quote and what happens if you change your instructions.
Making decisions that reflect your wishes
A wills appointment is an opportunity to work through choices, including choices you have not yet settled. Tell your wills lawyer where you are unsure. A conversation about the practical effect of a proposed gift may be more useful than arriving with wording copied from a template.
If you are making wills as a couple
Each person needs to consider their own wishes and circumstances. Similar intentions do not necessarily mean that every provision should be identical. Mention children from previous relationships, separately owned assets and any concern about what might happen after the first death. Ask how instructions, confidentiality and any conflicting interests will be handled before deciding how to proceed.
If you want to leave particular gifts
Identify the person or organisation clearly and explain what you intend them to receive. Consider whether an item may be sold or replaced, whether a cash gift could become difficult to fund, and who should receive the remainder of the estate. Discuss alternatives if the intended recipient cannot take the gift. These questions help your lawyer check how the proposed provisions fit together.
If communication or health needs affect your appointment
Tell PA Law when booking if you need an interpreter, additional time, accessible documents or another adjustment. Mention health concerns or a proposed appointment deadline early. The appropriate arrangements depend on your circumstances and availability. Instructions need to be your own; discuss the role of any family member or support person who wishes to attend.
If you are helping a parent or another relative enquire, explain who the intended client is. Do not assume that being a next of kin or holding a power of attorney lets you give instructions for that person’s will. Your wills lawyer can explain what information and arrangements are required.
After your will is signed
Ask which document is the signed original, where it will be kept and how your executor can find it when needed. Keep a separate note of the storage location with your personal records. A copy is useful for reference, but make sure it is clearly distinguishable from the original.
Tell your executor about their appointment and keep their contact information up to date. Consider maintaining a separate, secure list of key contacts and the organisations holding your assets. This can help someone locate information later without trying to put changing account details into the will itself.
When your circumstances change, contact your wills lawyer about a review rather than marking changes on the signed document. If a new will is prepared, ask what to do with previous originals and copies. Keep track of which version is current so your family is not left with conflicting documents.
A will review is also a chance to check whether your chosen executor is still willing and able to act, whether your intended beneficiaries are correctly identified and whether your wishes have changed. The Legal Services Commission’s guidance on changing a will explains why changes need proper attention.
How much does a will cost?
The cost depends on the advice and drafting your circumstances require. A straightforward will and a document dealing with more complex family or asset arrangements may involve different work.
Speak with a wills lawyer at PA Law to discuss the scope and request a quote. Ask what is included, whether GST and any additional expenses are included, and how changes to the scope will be handled. If you are also considering an enduring power of attorney or advance care directive, mention this when enquiring.
Your will and related planning documents
Your will deals with your estate after death. An enduring power of attorney and an advance care directive address different decisions during your lifetime. They do not replace a will. See our dedicated pages on enduring powers of attorney and advance care directives for their different purposes.
Read about our estate planning services in Gawler if you would like to consider these documents together.
Frequently asked questions about Wills
What happens if I die without a will in South Australia?
South Australia’s intestacy rules determine who inherits an estate not covered by a valid will. The outcome may differ from your wishes, and someone may need to apply for authority to administer the estate. It does not mean the government automatically receives everything. The South Australian Government’s guide to making a will explains why planning ahead matters.
Can I make my own will?
You can prepare a will yourself, but the document still needs to meet the relevant legal requirements and express workable instructions. A template may not address your family or ownership arrangements. Advice from a wills lawyer can help identify issues before they become problems for your executor or beneficiaries.
Can an executor also be a beneficiary?
Yes. A person can generally be both an executor and a beneficiary. Consider their willingness, practical ability and any potential conflicts when deciding whom to appoint. Discuss whether a substitute or another arrangement would suit your estate.
Does my will cover my superannuation?
Not automatically. Your fund’s rules and any valid death benefit nomination affect how superannuation is paid. It may be paid to eligible beneficiaries or to your estate. Check your nominations when making or reviewing your will.
Can I leave someone out of my will?
Seek advice before excluding someone who may be eligible to seek family provision. Recording your wishes does not remove the possibility of a claim. If your enquiry concerns an estate after a death, see our separate page on contesting a will in South Australia.
How long does it take to make a will?
The time depends on the instructions, the complexity of the arrangements and the opportunity to review and sign the document. Ask about likely timing when you enquire. If illness, travel or another event makes the matter urgent, explain this straight away so PA Law can discuss availability and what may be possible. Do not assume a submitted enquiry means a will has been prepared or an appointment confirmed.
Where should I keep my signed will?
Keep the original secure and tell your executor where to find it. Discuss storage arrangements when your will is completed. Keep your executor’s contact details current and make sure a copy can be distinguished from the signed original.
Can I arrange an appointment from Gawler or Adelaide?
Yes. PA Law is based in Evanston South and assists clients in Gawler, Adelaide and across South Australia. Appointments are by arrangement, with telephone and Microsoft Teams consultations where appropriate. Contact us to discuss your needs and how signing will be handled.
Speak with a wills lawyer at PA Law
Take the next step towards putting your wishes in writing. Tell us whether you need your first will, an update or advice about a particular concern.
PA Law Pty Ltd — Evanston South, South Australia
Serving Gawler, Adelaide and clients throughout South Australia.
Arrange a Wills Appointment | Call 0431 614 696
Email: manal@palaw.au
Connect with PA Law
Explore PA Law’s videos and social profiles. These links open in a new tab.
This page provides general information, not legal advice for your circumstances. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.