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Your will
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What is a Will?

  • A Will is a legal document that contains your instructions for distributing your Estate after you have died.
  • It names an Executor, who will ensure that your wishes are carried out, usually with the help of a solicitor, a trustee company, or a professional trustee such as the Public Trustee.
  • A Will is best prepared by someone with legal experience.
  • A Will should be reviewed every few years and whenever your circumstances change (e.g. due to births, deaths, divorce or marriage).

What will happen if I don't make a Will?

If you don't make a Will:

  • Your assets will be distributed according to an Act of Parliament. This means your entire Estate could go to very distant relatives or even the Government.
  • Your Estate will be administered by the Public Trustee, a beneficiary or creditor of your Estate, appointed by the Supreme Court to act as Administrator.
  • Legal costs may consume a large portion of your Estate.

By making a Will, you can ensure your family's financial security, leave dear friends with items of sentimental value, and continue helping the worthy causes that you've supported during your life.

How do I make a Will?

  1. Select a legal practitioner or trustee company
  2. Assess the value of your Estate (Document icon Assets Form - 165 KB)
  3. Identify your beneficiaries
  4. Allocate rest and residue of your Estate
  5. Appoint an Executor.

If you choose to leave a gift in your Will to Guide Dogs our bequest wording may be useful for you, your solicitor or trustee company. Please contact our Planned Giving team on (02) 9412 9300 for our "Form of Bequest" and please remember to use our full legal name: Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.