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Oxfam Australia is supporting farmers to grow better crops in East Timor. Photo: John Sones/OxfamAUS Making your will is usually quite simple and inexpensive. It must be in writing and signed before two witnesses who also must sign as witnesses.
You can make a will yourself but it's safer to have a professional prepare your will with you. Solicitors usually prepare wills for a standard set fee. The Public Trustee can also help you to prepare your will for a small percentage of your estate when your assets are distributed.
Before you visit a professional for help writing your will, it's important to prepare. You should list:
- Your major assets, such as your house and car, and consider who you would name as your Executor
- The people and organisations to receive a benefit from your estate – for example, close family members and friends as well as organisations like Oxfam Australia
“Our three sons have always shared their lives with Oxfam Australia. They 'walked against want', listened in to meetings in their home and attended fundraisers with us to support poor third world communities. We tried to encourage them to value community activity and think and act globally. We have carried those principles across to the making of our wills. Our sons are aware that one day they will share their inheritance with each other and the remaining member of the family, Oxfam Australia.”
Glenyys and Graham Romanes