People often avoid making a will because they feel uncomfortable thinking about their own death... Or can’t be bothered.
Wills are a document to specify your wishes in the event of your death, including guardians for your children, what happens to your possessions and who should manage your affairs.
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Safewill Founder and CEO Adam Lubofsky told 7NEWS.com.au you “almost certainly” need a will and “probably sooner than you think”.
“Each state and territory has its own intestacy rules, and they follow a fixed formula.”
“There’s no executor either so, instead of one of your family members stepping in, someone has to apply to the Supreme Court for Letters of Administration before they can touch anything.”
Lubofsky said “family conflict” is the biggest problem that arises when people don’t have a will in place, with new research commissioned by Safewill finding more than half of Australians from blended families are at risk of will dispute.
Lubofsky said the findings reflect something they see play out often.
“When there are step-parents, step-siblings or a new partner in the picture, there are more people with a stake in the outcome, and more room for different ideas about what’s fair.”
When pop musician Prince died in 2016 without a will, it preceded a six-year legal battle among his six siblings and many people claiming to be relatives.
Until September 21, Safewill is offering people the opportunity to write their wills online for free, with each one reviewed by their legal team.