2021 Queensland Wills Week is here!
24 August 2021
The Public Trustee is hosting Queensland Wills Week again this year to raise awareness of the importance of advance life planning for all Queenslanders.
Wills Week is held from 23 – 29 August and will host a variety of activities for Queenslanders to get involved with, both face-to-face and across the state.
To launch Wills Week, the Public Trustee has opened their Brisbane-based Wills Bunker to law students and offered a firsthand experience of Queensland’s Succession Law history.
Around 1.35 million Wills and enduring power of attorney documents are currently housed in the purpose-built facility, stretching back to the Public Trustee’s conception in 1916.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman said Wills Week provides an opportunity to support Queenslanders to plan for their futures as well as nurture and support the next generation of legal practitioners.
“This year, there are opportunities for involvement for all Queenslanders, including providing an opportunity for a group of legal studies students to receive first-hand experience of Queensland’s succession law history and practice.”
Minister Fentiman said advance life planning needs to take a whole-of-life approach.
“Planning for later stages of life, or even after our passing, is often confrontational for us to talk about particularly in earlier stages of life.
“But we know starting these conversations is the vital first step in planning ahead and the Public Trustee is here to support Queenslanders through a variety of community education activities,” Minister Fentiman said.
Throughout 2021 Wills Week the Public Trustee are hosting events and activities aimed to support early reflections on advance life planning.
The Public Trustee of Queensland and CEO, Samay Zhouand, said wishes for the future can change as our lives change.
“We are calling on Queenslanders to share future wishes with their loved ones by creating or updating their advance life planning documents, such as a Will or enduring power of attorney.
“Some people are not aware that their Will could become invalid and that it should be updated with life events such as getting married, entering a de facto relationship, divorce, birth of a child or grandchild, and changes to your assets.
“At the end of the day, we want Queenslanders to feel confident and supported to plan for their futures,” Mr Zhouand said.
Queensland Law Society (QLS) President Elizabeth Shearer said supporting the Public Trustee for Queensland Wills Week was an opportunity to help educate Queenslanders about succession law, as well as the value of planning ahead.
“Not having a Will means extra stress on your loved ones, and additional costs at a very difficult time,” Ms Shearer said.
“Making a Will, is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family, but the conversation with a solicitor before you make a Will is just as important. People are often surprised to learn that some of their assets may not be dealt with in their Will, and other steps are necessary to implement an estate plan.”
“It is vital to have professional advice and solicitors right across Queensland can provide this, including 43 solicitors accredited as specialists in succession law. You can find a solicitor to help you using our Find a solicitor search tool on the Queensland Law Society website,” Ms Shearer said.
All Queenslanders are encouraged to get involved in Wills Week and take some time to prioritise advance life planning. For events and further information, visit the Public Trustee website at www.willsweek.com.au.
Ends.
Media contact:
Eamonn Dwyer
Media Manager – Public Trustee
0466 320 688
media@pt.qld.gov.au