Image by Tony Potts Photography

A wedding planning 'to-do' list is one of the most important (and exciting) checklists a person can ever have. Your wedding is the event that signifies the union of you and your partner as a couple - for life!

While wedding checklists never neglect all-important things like the dress, rings and venues, there is one essential that is often forgotten. A Will. Paperwork may not be the most exciting part of your wedding planning, but it is undeniably important.

Having to be without your beloved isn't something that couples want to address before the wedding but it is a vital topic to discuss.

Generally speaking, when you get married, any existing Will is automatically revoked and no longer valid. Many people think that, because they are married, their property and cash will automatically go to their partner but this isn't necessarily the case.

No matter how straightforward your circumstances are, having a Will helps ensure everyone understands what you'd like done with your estate. Having a clearly written and up-to-date Will is important to help ensure your final wishes are carried out and to help ensure your loved ones and your assets are protected.

It is very easy to put off preparing a Will, particularly when you are busy planning a wedding, but it is too important to put off. To make things easier, State Trustees have created the Legal Will Kit to help people with straightforward circumstances to prepare their own Will. The kit can be purchased and downloaded online as a convenient and affordable solution for those in simple situations.

Getting ready to tie the knot is such a wonderful time for you and your partner and it is exciting to think about all the wonderful times ahead. The truth is, the commitment you are making to each other is to be there for each other through the good and the bad. The best thing you can do is to be as best prepared as you can, and putting together a Will is essential.

Modern Wedding asks the all important questions about a will to help clear things up!

MW: Why do I need a will?

ST: Having a clearly written and up-to-date will is important as it:

• helps ensure your property and possessions are distributed the way you want;
• outlines who you want to benefit from your estate;
• reduces potential conflict after your death;
• helps your Executor understand how you would like your affairs managed.

MW: Why should you choose to use the State Trustees Will Kit?

ST: The State Trustees Will Kit is an Australian legal will template prepared by State Trustees, the trusted experts who have written over 100,000 wills. It helps people with straightforward circumstances create a convenient and affordable legal will.

ST: If you don't have a will, State and Territory laws says who will benefit from your estate. This is done by using a legislative formula - it can mean that your property and possessions might not be distributed as you would have wanted.

MW: What happens if I don't make a will?

MW: What effect does marriage have on my existing will?

ST: A will kit is not suitable if you:

ST: Generally speaking, when you get married, any existing will is automatically revoked and no longer valid.

MW: When is a Will Kit not suitable? When should I consider a consultative will?

• or your spouse/partner have a child or children from a previous relationship;
• are proposing to leave someone out of your Will who expects to benefit from your estate;
• have an interest in a family trust, private company, self-managed superannuation fund, or partnership;
• have any beneficiary with special needs, e.g. due to a disability;
• want to include a trust of any kind in your Will;
• have complex assets, e.g. an extensive share portfolio or overseas property;
• want to distribute your residuary estate to more than one person in different proportions.

If any of these situations applies to you, or you're unsure about how to proceed, you must seek the assistance of a will writing professional. State Trustees has a team of will writers who are able to sit down with you to write or update your will.

For more information visit the State Trustees website.

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