Wills & Estate Lawyers in Parramatta, NSW

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Email: info@crownattorneys.com

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Wills, Estate Planning & Probate Across Parramatta & NSW

Putting your affairs in order is one of the most thoughtful things you can do for the people you love. Crown Attorneys provides clear, compassionate and legally sound advice for all your wills and estate planning needs from our office in the heart of Parramatta, acting for families across Western Sydney, greater Sydney and the whole of New South Wales. Whether you are making your first will, updating documents after a change in your circumstances, or administering the estate of someone who has died, our team guides you through each step with care and in plain English.

Good estate planning is about more than a single document. It is about making sure your assets pass to the people you intend, that someone you trust can make decisions if you lose capacity, and that your loved ones are spared unnecessary stress, delay and dispute. We take the time to understand your family situation and explain your options honestly, so the choices you make today hold up when they matter most.

Our Wills & Estate Services

• Drafting Wills: Customised, legally compliant wills that reflect your wishes, your family situation and your assets.
• Updating Wills: Reviewing and revising existing wills after marriage, separation, a new child, or a change in your finances.
• Powers of Attorney: Appointing someone you trust to manage your legal and financial affairs, including enduring powers that continue if you lose capacity.
• Appointment of Enduring Guardian: Naming a person to make health and lifestyle decisions for you if you can no longer make them yourself.
• Estate Planning: Structuring how your assets are held and distributed, including testamentary trusts to protect minor or vulnerable beneficiaries.
• Applying for Probate: Guiding executors through their application to the Supreme Court of NSW to administer an estate.
• Letters of Administration: Assisting next of kin where there is no valid will.
• Estate Administration: Supporting executors and administrators to call in assets, pay debts and distribute the estate correctly.
• Contesting & Defending Wills: Acting in family provision claims, both for eligible claimants and for executors defending an estate.

Making and Updating Your Will

A valid will is the foundation of any estate plan. Without one, the law decides who inherits your assets — not you. A well-drafted will lets you choose your executor, name your beneficiaries, provide for children, and reduce the risk of confusion or conflict after you are gone. We prepare straightforward wills as well as more complex documents involving testamentary trusts, blended families and business interests.

Your will should keep pace with your life. We recommend reviewing it after any major event — marriage, separation or divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, the purchase or sale of property, or the death of a beneficiary or executor. In NSW, marriage and divorce can affect the operation of an existing will, so it is worth checking that yours still does what you intend.

Powers of Attorney & Enduring Guardianship

Estate planning is not only about what happens after death. If illness or injury leaves you unable to manage your own affairs, the right documents allow people you trust to step in. An enduring power of attorney lets your chosen attorney manage your legal and financial matters, and continues to operate even if you lose mental capacity. An appointment of enduring guardian lets a trusted person make decisions about your health, accommodation and lifestyle. Putting these in place while you are well gives you control over who acts for you and how.

Probate & Estate Administration

When someone dies, their executor (or, where there is no will, their next of kin) is responsible for administering the estate. This often involves applying to the Supreme Court of NSW for a grant of probate or letters of administration before assets can be dealt with. We guide executors and administrators through each stage so the estate is wound up correctly and with minimal delay:

1. Locate the will and assess the estate. We help confirm the latest valid will, identify the executor, and prepare an inventory of the deceased's assets and liabilities.
2. Apply for probate or letters of administration. We prepare and lodge the application in the Supreme Court of NSW — probate where there is a will, or letters of administration where there is no valid will.
3. Call in assets and pay debts. Once the grant is made, we assist in collecting assets, paying debts, taxes and funeral expenses, and keeping proper records.
4. Distribute to beneficiaries. The remaining estate is distributed to the beneficiaries named in the will, or according to the rules of intestacy where there is no will.

Being an executor carries real legal duties, and mistakes can leave you personally exposed. We support executors throughout, from the first application to the final distribution, so you can carry out your role with confidence.

Contesting or Defending a Will (Family Provision Claims)

Not every estate passes smoothly. In NSW, certain people can challenge how an estate is distributed by bringing a family provision claim under the Succession Act 2006 (NSW). An eligible person — such as a spouse, de facto partner, child, or certain dependants — can apply to the Supreme Court for provision, or further provision, from an estate where they believe they have not been adequately provided for. The court weighs a range of factors, including the applicant's needs, the size of the estate and the relationship with the deceased.

Strict time limits apply. As a general guide, a family provision claim in NSW must be commenced within 12 months of the date of death, although the court has limited power to extend this in some circumstances. Because deadlines and evidence matter, it is important to get prompt advice. We act both for eligible people considering a claim and for executors defending an estate against one, always aiming to resolve matters efficiently and, where possible, without the cost and stress of a contested hearing.

Local to Parramatta & Western Sydney

Our office at Suite 7.03, Level 7, 85 George Street puts us in the centre of Parramatta, ready to assist families across Western Sydney and greater Sydney. Probate and family provision matters for the region are handled in the Supreme Court of NSW, and we manage that process for our clients so they are not left to navigate it alone during a difficult time.

Why Choose Crown Attorneys for Wills & Estate?

We approach every wills and estate matter with empathy and respect. Our knowledge of NSW succession law and probate procedure gives our clients confidence at some of life's most sensitive moments.

• Empathetic, plain-English support during challenging personal circumstances.
• Experience across NSW succession law, probate and estate disputes.
• Fixed-fee options for simple wills, with a clear cost agreement up front.
• Support throughout the whole lifecycle — planning, probate and administration.
• A Parramatta office serving families right across Western Sydney.

Whether you need a simple will or help administering a loved one's estate, our team is here to make the process clear. Contact our Parramatta office today on 1800 018 018 to discuss your wills and estate matter with one of our specialists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need a will?

A will lets you decide who inherits your assets, who looks after your affairs as executor, and how your children are provided for. Without a valid will, your estate is distributed according to the rules of intestacy in NSW — which may not reflect your wishes — and the process can be slower and more stressful for your family. A clear will reduces the risk of confusion and dispute later.

What is probate and do I always need it?

Probate is a grant from the Supreme Court of NSW that confirms a will is valid and authorises the executor to administer the estate. Not every estate requires it — whether probate is needed depends on the assets involved and the requirements of the banks or institutions holding them. We can review the estate and advise whether an application for probate is necessary.

Can someone contest a will (family provision claim)?

Yes. Under the Succession Act 2006 (NSW), an eligible person — such as a spouse, de facto partner, child or certain dependants — can apply to the Supreme Court for provision from an estate if they believe they have not been adequately provided for. Strict time limits apply, so it is important to get advice promptly, whether you are considering a claim or defending an estate as executor.

What is an enduring power of attorney?

An enduring power of attorney lets you appoint someone you trust to manage your legal and financial affairs. Unlike a general power of attorney, an enduring power continues to operate even if you later lose mental capacity, which is why it is a key part of planning ahead. It is separate from an enduring guardian, who makes decisions about your health and lifestyle.

What happens if I die without a will?

If you die without a valid will, you are said to die intestate, and your estate is distributed according to the rules of intestacy set out in the Succession Act 2006 (NSW) rather than your personal wishes. A family member usually needs to apply to the Supreme Court for letters of administration before the estate can be dealt with. Making a will avoids this uncertainty.

How much does a will cost?

The cost depends on how complex your situation is. We offer fixed-fee options for simple wills and provide a clear cost agreement up front, so you understand the fees before any work begins. More complex estate planning — such as testamentary trusts or blended-family arrangements — is quoted after we understand your needs. Contact us for an estimate specific to your circumstances.

Do you offer a free initial consultation?

Yes. We offer a confidential initial consultation so you can explain your situation and understand your options before deciding how to proceed. You can reach us on 1800 018 018 or at info@crownattorneys.com.