Wills & Estates Guides, South Australia

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Contesting a Will in South Australia: Who Can Claim, and How Long They Have

The Succession Act 2023 changed who can contest a will in South Australia and how a court decides: eligibility narrowed, and the deceased’s own wishes became the primary consideration. The six-month time limit runs from the grant of probate, not the date of death. Here is where the law now stands.

Guide6 October 20269 min readBruno Confalone

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Wills & Estates Guide

What Happens If You Die Without a Will in South Australia?

If you die without a will in South Australia, a formula in the Succession Act 2023 decides who inherits — not your family, and not you. Here is exactly how the formula works, the $120,000 preferential legacy, and the two situations where it goes wrong most often: blended families and unmarried partners.

Guide1 September 20269 min read

Wills & Estates Guide

Five Things Your Will Must Do (But Probably Doesn't)

Most Australians who have a will believe they've taken care of their estate planning. Many haven't. Here are five critical functions a well-drafted will must perform – and why a standard template often falls short.

Guide10 February 20265 min read

Wills & Estates Guide

Estate Administration: What Executors Need to Know

Being named as an executor is an honour – and a significant legal responsibility. Many executors are surprised by the complexity, the timeline, and the potential personal liability involved in administering an estate.

Guide22 October 20256 min read

Wills & Estates Update

Major Overhaul to South Australia's Succession Laws: What You Need to Know

South Australia's succession laws are set to undergo a monumental transformation with the introduction of the Succession Act 2023, coming into effect on 1 January 2025. These changes will have widespread implications for will preparation, estate claims, and administration processes.

Update31 December 20245 min read

Wills & Estates Guide

Probate in South Australia: When You Need It and How to Apply

Probate is the Supreme Court's confirmation that a will is valid and that the executor may act. It is not needed in every estate. Here is when a grant is actually required in South Australia, how the application works through CourtSA, what it costs in time, and the mistakes that make an executor personally liable.

Guide25 February 20238 min read

Wills & Estates Guide

Wills, Powers of Attorney and Advance Care Directives: What Each One Does

Three documents cover the two things that can happen to you: losing capacity, and dying. In South Australia they are a will, an enduring power of attorney and an advance care directive — and each does something the others cannot. Here is what each covers, the gaps people leave, and why the cheap version is so often the expensive one.

Guide26 February 20228 min read