Surviving Spouse: What to Do Next?
THE SURVIVING SPOUSE/CIVIL PARTNER or UNMARRIED PARTNER– WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
To lose your spouse/civil partner or unmarried partner is difficult and distressing. Most people would be unsure of what they are required to do and will generally have a lot of questions. There is much to organise and arrange, and knowing where to start can make things less stressful.
This section provides information and some basic first steps to assist you.
Here you learn who needs to be informed of the death, what steps should be taken to locate the Will and the answers to questions that you may have about property and superannuation funds.
Related topics:
- First steps
- Locate the Will
- My spouse and I owned our property jointly – will I lose this property?
- Will I receive my spouse, civil or unmarried partner’s superannuation?
- My spouse and I made Wills with identical terms – what does this mean? Should I make a new Will?
Common Questions
CWPL can easily answer these common questions for You:
- How do I locate the Will and appoint the executor?
- How can CWPL’s Probate Office Service make it simple for me to apply for Probate?
- How do I check that the Will is valid?
- What is the effect of the Will on Me?
- Am I entitled to contest the Will and claim for more?
- What is the value of the asset pool in the estate?
- If the Will is invalid, or there is no Will, can the children of my spouse/partner make a claim?
- How do I sell assets, pay the debts, and distribute the estate assets?
- How do I advise banks and others, and access funds to keep going?
- How do I protect my rights in the family home, and change the titles?
- How can I claim pension or retirement monies?
- Can I now change a mirror will that my spouse/partner and I had made?
CWPL: NOT a traditional law firm