Address
The Greenhouse, Level 4/97 Boundary St, West End QLD 4101
Phone
(07) 3703 1888
Email
admin@directlawyers.com.au
Direct Lawyers is a Brisbane-based Wills and Estates law firm practising exclusively in Succession Law. Our team helps individuals and families across Brisbane and Queensland with all aspects of Will preparation — from straightforward single Wills to more complex arrangements involving blended families, testamentary trusts, and business interests.
We are based in West End, Brisbane, and offer mobile appointments — we come to you. For clients across Queensland, we offer remote appointments by phone or video call. Because we work only in Wills, Estate Planning, and Succession Law, every client receives advice from lawyers who know this area of law in depth.
What Does a Will Lawyer Do?
A Will lawyer helps you create a legally valid Will that reflects your wishes and protects the people you care about. In Queensland, a Will must meet specific formal requirements under the Succession Act 1981 (Qld) to be valid. A Will lawyer ensures your Will is correctly drafted, properly signed and witnessed, and accounts for your full circumstances — including assets, family structure, and any complex arrangements.
Will Services We Provide
Drafting a New Will
Whether this is your first Will or you are starting fresh, we prepare a clear, legally valid document that accurately reflects your wishes for your assets, your executor, and — where relevant — guardianship of your children.
Updating an Existing Will
Life changes. Marriage, separation, the birth of children, acquiring property, or a change in family circumstances can all affect whether your current Will still reflects your intentions. We help you review and update your Will so it remains current and legally sound.
Standard and Complex Wills
Not all Wills are the same. A straightforward Will for a single person with simple assets is very different from a Will for someone with a blended family, business interests or multiple entities. We advise on the right structure for your situation.
Wills with Testamentary Trusts
For clients with children, complex assets, or concerns about how inheritance will be managed, a Will incorporating a Testamentary Trust can offer significant protection. Our Testamentary Trust Lawyers can explain the options clearly so you can decide whether this structure is right for your family.
Enduring Powers of Attorney
A Will only takes effect from the date of death. An Enduring Power of Attorney covers what happens if you lose capacity while still alive. Many clients prepare both at the same time — we can assist with both documents in a single appointment.
How Wills Work in Queensland
Legal Requirements for a Valid Will
Under the Succession Act 1981 (Qld), a valid Will must be in writing, signed by the Will-maker, and witnessed by two independent adults who are present at the same time. Witnesses cannot be beneficiaries under the Will. A Will that does not meet these requirements may be invalid — which can have significant consequences for your estate and your family.
What Happens Without a Will
If you die without a valid Will in Queensland, your estate is distributed according to the intestacy rules set out in the Succession Act 1981 (Qld). This means the law decides who receives your assets — not you. Intestacy can result in unintended outcomes, particularly for blended families, de facto partners, or where specific assets were intended for particular people.
Choosing an Executor
Your executor is the person responsible for administering your estate after your death. This includes locating assets, paying debts, applying for probate where required, and distributing the estate to beneficiaries. Choosing the right executor — and making sure they understand the role — is an important part of the Will-making process.
Keeping Your Will Current
Queensland law does not automatically revoke a Will when circumstances change, with one key exception — marriage revokes a Will unless the Will was made in contemplation of that marriage. We advise clients to review their Will every few years and after any major life event, including separation, divorce, the birth of children or grandchildren, significant changes in assets, or the death of a beneficiary or executor.
Book an Initial Consultation
A focused session with one of our lawyers to: review your circumstances, explain your options clearly, and give you a personalised plan you can act on.
You leave with genuine legal advice — not general information.
Still unsure? Our free 10-minute discovery call is the place to begin. We will listen, point you in the right direction, and let you know honestly whether we can help.
Book a Discovery Call.
Standard Will vs Will with Testamentary Trust
Understanding the difference helps you choose the right structure for your family.
| Standard Will | Will with Testamentary Trust | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Straightforward and smaller estates with direct distribution | Families with children, blended families, or complex assets |
| How assets are distributed | Directly to named beneficiaries | Via a trust managed by a trustee for the benefit of beneficiaries |
| Asset protection | None — assets pass directly to beneficiaries and are vulnerable to Family Court and bankruptcy | Strong — assets held in trust have protection from relationship breakdown or financial difficulty |
| Tax considerations | Standard | Potential tax advantages, especially for minor beneficiaries under current Australian tax law |
| Cost | Generally lower | Slightly higher to prepare, but significant long-term benefits for the right families |
| Complexity | Straightforward | Requires more planning — we guide you through the process |
How We Help You Make Your Will
01
Consult
We listen to your situation, explain your options, and help you understand what structure is right for you.
02
Collect
We collect the details we need: assets, family structure, executor choice, guardianship matters and any specific wishes or arrangements.
03
Drafting
We prepare your Will in plain English, clearly setting out your instructions in a legally sound document.
04
Review
You review the draft and we make any amendments needed to ensure it accurately reflects your wishes.
05
Execution
We guide you through the formal signing and witnessing process so your Will is valid under Queensland law.
06
Storage
We provide complementary Safe Custody of your Will, making sure the right people know where to find it.
Why Brisbane Families Choose Direct Lawyers
We practise only in Wills, Estates, and Succession Law, so your Will is prepared by lawyers who know this area in depth.
For Brisbane clients, we come to you. Whether you are at home, in aged care, or recovering from illness, we work around you.
Phone or video call consultations available across Queensland.
We explain your options clearly, without legal jargon, so you can make confident decisions.
Transparent pricing from the outset, with no surprises.
You deal with an experienced Wills and estates lawyer, not a paralegal or call centre.
Questions We Hear Most Often
At Direct Lawyers, we offer fixed-fee Will preparation so you know the cost upfront. The fee depends on the complexity of your situation — a straightforward single Will is priced differently from a Will incorporating a Testamentary Trust or involving a complex family structure. We discuss costs clearly in your first consultation.
Yes. Direct Lawyers offers mobile appointments across Brisbane. We come to your home, workplace, aged care facility, or another location that suits you. For clients outside Brisbane, we offer appointments by phone or video call.
For most clients, we can prepare a draft Will within a few days of your initial consultation. The total time depends on how quickly you are able to review the draft and arrange execution. We work at a pace that suits you and can prioritise urgent matters where needed.
In Queensland, you can technically prepare your own Will, but a Will that does not meet the formal legal requirements may be invalid — leaving your estate to be distributed under intestacy laws rather than your wishes. DIY Wills frequently contain errors that only come to light after death, when they cannot be corrected — or are very expensive to correct. A Will lawyer ensures your document is valid and clearly expresses your intentions.
You should review your Will after any major life change — marriage, separation, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, a significant change in your assets, or the death of a beneficiary or executor. As a general guide, reviewing your Will every three to five years is sensible even if nothing major has changed.
Our Wills and Estates Services
Wills & Estate Planning
Plan ahead with confidence. Get tailored advice on Estate Planning in Brisbane, legally valid Wills,Testamentary Trusts, powers of attorney, and support from experienced Will Lawyers in Brisbane to protect your wishes and the people you care about.
Probate & Estate Administration
Get guidance through the estate administration process, including probate, asset distribution, executor duties, and Letters of Administration where there is no valid Will, with support from an experienced Estate Administration Lawyer.
Estate Disputes
Resolve contested Wills and family provision claims with clear legal advice during complex and emotional situations. We provide clear advice on Estate Litigation, contested Wills, executor disputes, and Family Provision Claims to help you understand your options and protect your interests.
Trusted by Brisbane Families
We work with individuals and families across Brisbane and Queensland to plan, manage, and resolve estate matters.
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