The Public Trustee and Guardian, which is an ACT Territory Authority, will be presenting two free forums October 24 and 26.

In these we will be explaining the importance of having a valid and up-to-date Will, as well as aspects of decision-making on loss of capacity.

Everyone over 18 years, with legal capacity, should have a Will.

Failure to do so may result in extra costs and undesirable or unforeseen outcomes.

A Will should be reviewed to reflect any changes in your circumstances such as marriage, the birth of a child, or divorce.

Marriage revokes a Will unless the Will was made in contemplation of the marriage.

Entering a civil union or civil partnership will also revoke a Will unless it includes a specific expression of contemplation of the union.

Upon divorce, the spouse or civil partner will be treated as though they had pre-deceased the person making the Will and will not participate as beneficiary or executor.

A person, of either gender, who was living as a partner with the deceased for over two years, will participate as a beneficiary under the laws of intestacy and may be able to bring an action for a greater share in the estate under the ACT Government’s Family Provision Act 1969.

Unless there is a specific exclusion stated in the Will, the share of a deceased child of the person making the Will is automatically shared by the deceased child’s children.

Your Will should appoint an executor to administer the Will, to collect and deal with assets, to pay debts and to account to your beneficiaries in keeping with your instructions.

You should choose your executor carefully.

For more information about our upcoming free forums, or if you’d like to make an appointment to prepare your Will, you can contact the Public Trustee and Guardian on (02) 6207 9800 or visit our website at www.ptg.act.gov.au.