Guides & Articles

If you die without a Will, your family doesn't simply get to decide who receives what. The law steps in. But the exact outcome depends on the law applying in your state or territory — and it may not be the plan you would have chosen.

You've made a Will and written down who should receive your money. But there may be one significant asset your Will doesn't automatically control — your super. A super death benefit may include the account balance and any insurance held through super, and who receives it depends on superannuation law, your fund's rules and any valid beneficiary nomination.

Your Will might still be sitting safely in the drawer. But does it still match your life? An older Will does not necessarily stop being valid simply because time has passed, but changes in your family, relationships, executor, beneficiaries or assets can mean it deserves a proper review.

You have written down whether you want to be buried or cremated, the music you would like and perhaps even the kind of funeral you want. But does putting those wishes in your Will mean they will actually happen? The legal authority to arrange a funeral generally sits with your executor, and the rules differ between Australian states and territories.

Not finding the original Will does not automatically mean there is no valid Will. Keep searching, and keep any copy you find — but whether a copy can be relied on is a legal question that differs between states and territories.

A plain-English guide to debts after death in Australia — what happens to debts of the deceased, why the estate matters, and when an executor should get professional help.

A plain-English guide to dying without a valid Will in Australia — what intestacy means, who can administer the estate, how inheritance rules work, and why the person's state or territory matters.

A plain-English explanation of probate in Australia — what it is, when it may be needed, who applies, what happens when there is no Will, and why the process differs between states and territories.

A plain-English guide to what can happen to bank accounts after a death in Australia, including sole and joint accounts, direct debits, funeral expenses and why bank requirements can differ.

Death certificate timing varies across Australia. Here is why certificates can be delayed, what families can do while waiting, and where to check the official process in your state or territory.

A practical Australian checklist of organisations that may need to be notified after someone dies, what can usually wait, and why families should avoid cancelling important services too early.

A calm, practical guide to the first hours after a death in Australia — including what to do if the death was expected or unexpected, what happens in hospital or aged care, and which tasks can wait.

Practical Australian guidance when funeral costs are difficult to afford — what to check first, lower-cost choices, possible assistance and how to avoid being pressured into unaffordable options.

A practical Australian guide to comparing funeral prices, understanding quotes and optional extras, checking contracts, and making decisions without unnecessary sales pressure.

A family's experience, and what they wish they had done earlier.