Rest assured: a legal guide to wills, estates and funerals in New South Wales
by Rosemary Long and Trudy Coffey
5th edition, Federation Press, 2011
This book explains the legal processes when someone dies. It provides practical information about making a will, obtaining probate, the duties of an executor and family provision. It explains the procedures when there is no will (intestacy) and the rights of family members. It also discusses the steps to take to plan for the future - appointing a power of attorney and enduring power of attorney, enduring guardianship, advanced care directives (living wills) as well as funerals, burial and coroner's cases.
Copies of this book are also available in the Tool Kit at your local public library.
Wills
What is a will - creation of wills - appointing an executor - changing, revoking, or challenging a will - rights of creditors and beneficiaries to a will - legal fees.
Estates
Procedure if there is a will - seeing the will - executor's responsibilities - probate - distributing the estate - intestacy, if there is no will - rights of beneficiaries and others - death duties and other taxes - insolvent estates - legal fees
Planning ahead
Preparing for future incapacity - power of attorney - enduring guardianship - withdrawing or withholding medical treatment - organ donation - euthanasia - funeral funds and benefits
Funerals
When someone dies - post mortem examinations - coroner's cases - arranging a funeral - cremation - funeral costs - destitute funerals - funeral funds - complaints about funeral directors - stillborn babies - suicide - transporting bodies overseas
Rest Assured: a Legal Guide to Wills, Estates and Funerals in New South Wales, 5th edition, by Rosemary Long and Trudy Coffey. Published by The Federation Press, 2011. Online edition published by the Legal Information Access Centre, State Library of NSW.
© Library Council of New South Wales, 2011.
