“No matter what happens, I don’t think it can hurt or be any worse than leaving your family to seek solutions to avoidable problems.” A friend recently told me she’d decided to put her big girl pants on and have a conversation with her widowed mother about being named a co-executor of her mum’s estate. […]
The Simple Solution To Estate Disputes Read More »
Leaving a donation to a charity through a bequest in your will is a powerful way to make a positive difference to a cause you believe strongly in or as a way of recognising the service they may have provided you or your family. But is it as simple as Free Wills Week would have
Charitable Bequests Read More »
Fiona Shilton has been awarded the SA Woman Emerging Business Woman award in recognition for her work changing the conversation around death, wills, and estate planning and creating a legal practice that focuses on kindness, care, and bravery. “We can only live our lives as fully as possible even if it is based on a
SA Woman Award Emerging Business Read More »
Sole Trader; does it feel like you can’t separate yourself from your job? When it comes to the law you and your job are entirely inseparable. Which might not be in your best interest. When it comes to the law there is no distinction between you and your sole trade business. Being a sole trader
Business Estate Planning: Sole Trader Read More »
I’m not in the business of judging you for your urge to collect things. No matter how weird and wonderful it might be; autographs, radios, kettles, antique brooches, kewpie dolls or the more standard fare of stamps, artworks and coins. “I’ve never met anyone yet who isn’t deeply emotionally connected to their collections.” When it
Collectibles: Trash or Treasure? Read More »
If I had a dollar for every client who has asked me to “Please just write my will in plain English Fiona,” I’d have a few extra dollars a week to run through my accounting system. “Whilst the language your will is written in doesn’t need to be decipherable to the untrained eye, the language
Do You Really Want A Plain English Will? Read More »
Are safe deposit boxes all they’re cracked up to be? When it comes to hiding valuables I’ve heard it all; tin cans of cash buried in the backyard, diamonds stitched into the curtain hems, illegal items not just under the mattress but in the mattress. Everyone wants to keep their treasures safe. “End-of-life wishes and
What to Keep in a Safe Deposit Box (and What Not to) Read More »
The world is full of people walking around feeling confident they’re winning at Adulting because they think they have a good will, when in actual fact they don’t. Discover why being strong willed isn’t just about the piece of paper and how you can muscle up and make your will do the heavy lifting. “Good
Being Strong Willed In 5 Easy Steps Read More »
A fellow much wiser than me one said “Nothing is contant except change”. Our lives have a funny habit of changing. Given your will is designed to protect the people and things you love right now, it’s important to update your will so it matches your life. Imagine for a moment I ask you to
When to Update Your Will Read More »
What would your life look like if you couldn’t help your child or make decisions on their behalf when they really need you to? Many parents are shocked to discover once their young person turns 18 they are legally no longer able to step in as a substitue decision maker if they became unwell or
Estate Planning + Your Adult Children Read More »