Wills are one of the most important legal documents that you shall ever have a need.

Yet many of us put too little thought or consideration into this vital duty and the long-term impact it can have on family and loved ones.

LS Legal — the only firm with a wills and estates accredited specialist in the Central West  — can ensure that you get it right the first time and, if things do go wrong, they’re there for that eventuality, as well!

LS Legal founder, Leah Sewell, said that Orange was the perfect regional centre for this firm's first country branch, with solicitor Heather Baker recently taking on the local role.

“We’ve been operating in Sydney now for ten years; Heather joined in January to establish the local service,” Leah explained.

“It’s a good distance from Sydney, but not too far, it has a good mix of regional and rural clients, mining and government, it’s an ideal place for a country-based business.”

Being specialists in their field, LS Legal can provide you with the best advice and support for this most sensitive and important of legal decisions, as well as specialist expertise in estate litigation.

“Unlike other firms in the area, we focus on wills and estates and estate disputes as our main area of practice. This enables us to give quality advice on all your succession planning; and if things go wrong, we are experienced in estate litigation,” Leah said.

Perhaps because a will affirms our own mortality, they tend to be the most neglected and delayed of legal documents, Leah said.

“There’s something like 50 per cent of adult Australians who don’t have a will; people just don't like thinking about it.”

“Making a will is very important, but getting good advice is also essential,” Heather, who wrote and teaches the “wills and estates” elective course at CSU, added.

A common mistake, Heather said, is people not having a clear understanding of how they own their assets.

“If you own an asset jointly with another person, then, if they survive you, ownership with pass to them no matter what your will provides.  Assets held in trusts are also not covered by your will, advice is needed on the terms of the trust.

“We offer down to earth advice, we work with accountants and financial planners to make sure your succession planning fits with your financial goals,” she said.

Leah is an accredited specialist in wills and estates and the firm is recognised in the prestigious Doyle’s Guide for Estate Litigation.  With an increase in blended families and an aging population, disputes over inheritances are becoming more common.

If you do become involved in a disputed estate, LS Legal has the experience and expertise to give clear advice on prospects and the process. LS Legal achieves results.

“The courts put a strong emphasis on mediation, here we settle 98 per cent of our cases by mediation,” Leah said.

“I’ve also recently trained in ‘collaborative practice’, it’s a far less adversarial approach… It doesn’t suit all matters, but if people want to still talk to each other afterwards, it is a good option and the parties avoid going to court,” she said.

Elder Law, ensuring the rights of our seniors are protected at all times, is another area of speciality for the practice.

“You may have a family member or carer abusing their trust, and a concerned son or daughter may come to us; we’ll ensure that these elderly are protected from exploitation,” Leah said.

As education is the first step to ensuring a good outcome, Leah and Heather are currently developing a series of free seminars on estates, succession planning, and elder law. 

“We’re planning them for later in the year, and they will be free to everyone,” Leah concluded.

Need to consider a will, or have issues with an inheritance? Contact Heather Baker at LS Legal, Suite 10, Level 2, 296–298 Summer Street (by appointment). 

P. 5318 2045. Email: Heather@Lslegal.com.au, website: Lslegal.com.au