Many clients believe they need a ‘simple will’, yet the underlying complexity of their personal and financial circumstances is often far greater than they appreciate. Modern estate planning increasingly involves intricate asset structures, cross-jurisdictional issues, blended families and clients entering new relationships later in life, all of which demand careful advisory work and sophisticated drafting. 

These challenges are compounded by an increasingly litigious environment, where wills must be robust enough to withstand close judicial scrutiny. This session examines the realities of drafting complex wills, focusing on identifying hidden complexity at an early stage, managing client expectations, and ensuring testamentary documents accurately reflect client intentions while minimising the risk of dispute.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

By completing this module, you will: 

• Recognise and analyse indicators of complexity in will drafting, including blended family arrangements and later life relationships, and complex asset holdings.
• Conduct effective client interviews and discussions to uncover, explain, and document complex testamentary issues and client intentions.

Who Should Attend

This session is ideal for general as well as family, trust and estate practitioners including legal executives and civil litigators and those wishing to make estate planning and administration a larger part of their practice.

Presenter

Ashleigh Watt | Senior Associate, Simpson Western