Practical advice. Clear wishes. A plan for the people who matter.

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.

Arrange a Wills Appointment   |   Call 0431 614 696

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. We help 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 us 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.

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.

Contact 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.

How your will fits into an estate plan

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.

Read about our estate planning, enduring power of attorney and advance care directive services 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. Legal advice 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.

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 PA Law about your will

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

This page provides general information, not legal advice for your circumstances. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.