It's a small price to pay to secure your family's future.
Expertly
Written
Expertly Written
Simple
Process
Simple
Process
Local
Experts
Local
Experts
Writing a Will is easier and
more affordable than you think.
Who do I contact first?
If you need to prepare a Will, your first point of contact should be with a qualified lawyer, preferably one who has practices exclusively in the area of wills and estates. They will have the expertise to guide you through the process, ensuring that your will is legally sound and reflects your wishes. McNamara Law can help you and your family plan for the future, whether that be with a broad estate plan or a simple will, affording you peace of mind.
What are the first steps I need to consider?
When drawing up a will, the first steps you should consider involve assessing your assets and determining how you want them distributed after your death. Begin by making a comprehensive list of all your assets, including property, financial accounts, superannuation, investments, personal belongings and any other valuable items. Next, decide who your beneficiaries will be and what portion of your estate each will receive. It’s also essential to appoint a reliable executor who will be responsible for carrying out the wishes as outlined in your will. McNamara Law can help you through each step of the way to ensure a smooth, simple and stress-free process while providing you with peace of mind for the future.
What is included in a Will prepared by McNamara Law?
- A meeting with a lawyer who practices exclusively in wills and estates to discuss your wishes and strategise an estate plan tailored to you;
- A professionally drafted Will providing you with peace of mind that it complies with all legislative requirements;
- A meeting with you to sign your Will (and any other estate planning documents);
- An electronic copy of your Will for you to keep and/or to give to your executor;
- Storage of your Will in our safe custody at no additional cost.
Will
Will
Enduring Power of Attorney
Enduring Power of Attorney
Testamentary Trust
Advanced Health Directive
Advanced Health Directive
Guardianship
Guardianship
Digital Assets
Donations
Donations
Get in Touch
MEET OUR WILLS & ESTATES LAWYERS
Rebekah Sanfuentes - Director
Rebekah was appointed as a Director of McNamara Law in 2023. Her career at the firm began in 2003 as a legal receptionist upon her graduation from high school. Rebekah’s journey through the ranks of McNamara Law was marked by dedication, hard work and a deep commitment to her clients.
Rebekah practices exclusively in the area of Wills and Estates. Her outstanding knowledge in estate planning, estate litigation and estate administration matters quickly earned her recognition as one of the top succession lawyers in the region, having been awarded Queensland Law Society’s Regional Practitioner of the Year in 2021.
If you require assistance in the area of Wills and Estates, whether it be helping you navigate through the loss of a loved one, preparing your own Will and Power of Attorney or a contentious Will dispute, Rebekah is willing and capable to assist you. Contact us today if you would like to arrange a consultation with Rebekah.
Some matters Rebekah has acted in:-
Re McDonald (unreported, Callaghan J, Supreme Court of Queensland, 15 September 2023) – a case where Rebekah successfully Probated a handwritten note as the Last Will of the deceased
Hughes v Trokic (unreported, Burns J, Supreme Court of Queensland, 16 June 2023) – a case where Rebekah successfully obtained a court ordered Will for a person who did not have testamentary capacity and where a Will had been executed by him while incapacitated and in questionable circumstances
Re McMahon [2022] QSC 236 – a successful defence of an application to rectify a will
AC v Department of Children [2021] QSC 64 – a case on setting aside an adoption with a view to then challenging an unfair will
Re Field QCAT GAA10450-21 – an application to overturn an Enduring Power of Attorney prepared for a person when he did not have capacity and in questionable circumstances. Rebekah successfully had the previous EPOA reinstated
Haggarty v Wood (No 2) [2015] QSC 244 – the second part of this case where the Rebekah was successful on behalf of her client in obtaining summary judgment against a defendant who sought relief against her pursuant to a testamentary contract
Haggarty v Wood [2013] QSC 327 – a mutual wills/contract to make a will case where Rebekah successfully applied on behalf of her client to strike out the plaintiff’s Statement of Claim. Rebekah’s application was made on the basis that the alleged contract to make mutual wills did not have any consideration moving from one of the parties and was not coupled with an agreement not to revoke the will. A claim of undue influence was also struck out because it did not allege any material facts from which an inference of coercion/undue influence could be drawn.
Therese Wilkes
Therese is a valuable member of the McNamara Law team, having joined in November 2021, just before graduating from the University of Southern Queensland with a Bachelor of Law. She went on to complete her Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice with the Queensland University of Technology in June 2022 and was admitted to the legal profession in August 2022.
Therese works closely with her mentors, Senior Associate Rebekah Sanfuentes and Special Counsel Kevin Steed, and is quickly developing a reputation as a skilled and knowledgeable practitioner in the field. She has a particular interest in estate planning and excels at drafting Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney, and other related documents. Her ability to provide clients with straightforward and practical solutions that reflect their unique circumstances is what drives her in her work.
Therese believes that effective estate planning is essential for protecting clients’ interests and ensuring their wishes are respected, which in turn can help ease the burden on grieving families. Her passion for the field is evident in her enjoyment of drafting complex and unusual clauses in Wills. Drawing on her love of painting and other forms of artistic expression, Therese enjoys the challenge of finding creative solutions to clients’ needs.
Overall, Therese is a highly motivated and talented junior lawyer whose dedication to her work and her clients make her an asset to the McNamara Law team.
Siobhan Raine
Siobhan Raine joined the McNamara Law team in 2023 after an extensive career in both the Federal and State public service, including a term as a Judge’s Associate which served to only strengthen her passion for client advocacy.
Siobhan practices exclusively in the area of estate administration and is based at our Ipswich office. Siobhan brings with her several years’ experience in the administration of deceased estates and has a genuine compassion for those experiencing loss and hardship.
Siobhan sincerely values being able to use her skills to lessen the burden for family members in a time of grief. Being an Ipswich resident herself, through her work Siobhan hopes to be able to service the Ipswich region, strengthening her connection to her community.
Siobhan graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Arts/Laws and obtained her Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law. Siobhan was admitted to the legal profession in December 2020.
If you have recently lost a loved one, Siobhan is here to help. Contact us today if you would like to arrange a consultation with Siobhan.
