De Maria & Associates
Wills and Estates Lawyers Cottles Bridge
De Maria & Associates
Wills play a significant role in managing your personal and business assets and call for meticulous planning and thought. Given the complexities of blended families, children with disabilities, and life changes, our team offers counsel and help in crafting your Will, defining the Executor of your Estate and the recipients of your assets (Beneficiaries).
It’s vital to create a Will to ensure all your loved ones are provided for and that your assets are distributed according to your desires after your death.
Though the process of making a Will may seem daunting, our team is here to guide you at each step to minimize the likelihood of someone contesting your Will. Wills are typically contested if a family member is excluded or inadequately provided for. Other claims may stem from issues such as lack of capacity, undue influence, and breach of trust.
De Maria & Associates offer Wills & Power of Attorney services in Northern Suburbs including Doreen, Mill Park, Whittlesea, Bundoora, Diamond Creek, Wollert, Hurstbridge, South Morang, Yarrambat, Nutfield, Mernda, Yan Yean, Arthurs Creek and Epping.
De Maria & Associates
Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial)
It is a legal document where you designate a trusted individual (referred to as “the attorney”) to make personal, monetary, legal, and property decisions on your behalf in the event that you lose the mental capacity to do so yourself.
An Enduring Power of Attorney is given to someone that you trust to make the right financial and personal decisions on your behalf.
Some responsibilities that an attorney can perform on your behalf include: settling your bills, signing documents, buying or selling real estate, and handling shares or bank accounts.
De Maria & Associates
Medical Treatment Decision
Each person has the right to make their own medical treatment choices. Yet, if you are incapacitated and unable to make decisions, whether temporarily or permanently, you can designate a medical proxy who can make medical decisions for you. Selecting someone to make these decisions can be challenging, but our team can provide guidance and support in determining who and when to appoint a trusted individual to handle your medical decisions.
Advanced Care Directive
It is a legally valid document that grants you the authority to formulate clear plans regarding your future health, care, and end-of-life matters. This document chronicles your decisions and wishes about medical treatment, and it defines what medical treatment you consent to and refuse in emergency situations. You are advised to engage your doctor in the process of completing an Advance Care Directive document.
De Maria & Associates
We offer the following expertise:
- Wills
- Codicils
- Testamentary Trusts
- Estate Planning
- Enduring Powers of Attorney (Financial)
- Enduring Powers of Attorney (Medical)
- Binding Death Nominations