Most of us accept that a valid Will is essential to determine how your estate is dealt with when you die. Your Will can appoint a family member or trusted friend to administer your estate, nominate guardians for young children, determine who will benefit, and create trusts to protect assets and safeguard vulnerable beneficiaries.
Without a Will, the administration and finalisation of your estate could be left to somebody you would not wish to involve, and the distribution of your assets will be pre-determined by legislation – an unfortunate outcome for a family who is already grieving.
Changes to intestacy laws
The Administration and Probate and Other Acts Amendment (Succession and Related Matters) Act 2017 (Vic) brought about various changes to estate and succession laws.
Of interest to those readers who keep putting off preparing a Will, are the reforms affecting how your estate will be distributed when you die without one. Whilst the laws aim to promote fairness for family members left behind by a person who dies without a Will, they are a timely reminder of the restrictive formula that applies when distributing an intestate estate.
Essentially, the legislation decides who gets what from your estate, unless a disgruntled family member contests the proposed distribution. In such cases, the application fuels conflict within the family, adds to the emotional turmoil and potentially depletes estate assets. Even more reason to get that Will prepared now!
Distribution of an intestate estate
Essentially, the reforms improved the position of a partner (spouse or de facto) of a deceased intestate person. The following summarises how statutory distribution will apply for partners of an intestate person who dies on or after 1 November 2017.
One partner and no children
The partner takes the whole of the estate – this is unchanged from the previous position.
One surviving partner and a child or children also of that partner
Previously where there was a child or children of the deceased and surviving partner, the partner would take the personal chattels, a legacy of $100,000, and one-third of the balance of the estate. The remaining two-thirds of the estate would be distributed equally between the surviving child or children. This was problematic in that it could leave the partner and remaining family with little financial security.
The statutory-imposed division of the estate would mean that, frequently the family home would need to be sold to provide the share allocated for the child or children of the relationship, even though they were the children of the deceased and his or her partner. Such circumstances would cause unnecessary upheaval and distress.
The laws now provide that when a person dies intestate leaving one partner and a child or children also of that partner, the partner will take the whole estate (unless there is more than one partner or a child or children of the deceased who is not also a child of the partner – see below).
One surviving partner and a child or children not of that partner
In this case a statutory legacy applies. The legacy amount is $451,909, indexed to account for inflation from the 2018-19 financial year. If the estate is worth equal to or less than the statutory legacy, the partner will inherit the residuary estate. If, however, the estate value exceeds the statutory legacy, the distribution is:
- the partner receives the personal chattels, the statutory legacy amount (and any interest if applicable) and half of the balance of the residuary estate; and
- the children of the deceased share equally in the remaining half of the residuary estate.
Multiple partners – with or without children
If the deceased leaves multiple partners with or without children, the distribution of the estate is in accordance with complex and restrictive provisions and may also necessitate an application for a distribution order.
No partners – children
The estate is divided equally between a surviving child or children. If a child of the deceased has died, then that child’s share will be taken by his or her surviving child and if more than one, equally.
No partners – no children
The estate is divided equally between the surviving parents, and if no parents, equally between surviving siblings. The estate is then divided ‘down the line’ between surviving nieces and nephews, grandparents, aunts and uncles and finally a child or children of that aunt or uncle.
Restrictions vs. testamentary freedom
It goes with saying, that most of us want to direct how our estate will be distributed when we die. While the formula set out in legislation attempts to reflect society’s expectations as to who should benefit from a person’s estate, these restrictive provisions cannot take account of the many and extraordinary circumstances within a family unit.
Many families are not ‘standard’ – they are blended, unique, dynamic, unconventional and have their own cultures, values and care arrangements.
A uniform untailored approach leaves no choice, no room for tax planning, no protection for vulnerable beneficiaries and unwelcome confusion for the surviving family.
Dying intestate cannot guarantee a fair or intentional estate distribution (according to the deceased) and may result in undesired consequences, such as:
- family members or friends completely missing out from an inheritance;
- a disproportionate distribution of assets between family members or the possibility of leaving out more needy beneficiaries;
- a distribution to a family member with whom the deceased shared no significant or meaningful relationship.
Summary
It is not difficult to avoid the likely uncertainty, additional legal costs and anguish amongst your loved ones after you die, by preparing a valid and carefully-considered Will.
No matter what your age, your health status or your financial and personal circumstances, putting off making a Will just doesn’t make sense. Good estate planning ensures your hard-earned assets go to those you wish, can strategise for tax-effective distributions and protect vulnerable beneficiaries.
If you or someone you know wants more information or needs help or advice, please contact us on 03 9308 0556 or email info@fordlegal.com.au.