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FREE Wills from Slater & Gordon - Law Week 2013

2040

Due to popular demand, we've extended this offer.
Get in quick to get your FRE Will!


Last week was National Law Week, and to celebrate Slater & Gordon are giving away their Online Wills FREE.
This service normally costs $199.There’s no hidden catches, it’s not often a law firm gives away something for free.
Last year approximately 7600 Australians went online to take up this offer, and a lot of them came from OzBargain. According to research around 47% of Australians don’t have a valid Will. Our Online Will is simple to complete, convenient and this week it is free - so there is no reason to delay getting your affairs in order.
To complete the service, you first need to complete a free estate planning self-assessment as a safety precaution.
If your needs cannot be met by a Standard Online Will, it will explain why and provide guidance on the issues you need to address.
What are you waiting for? Get started now. https://online.slatergordon.com.au/sgo/?
Planning what happens to your estate after you pass away is something no one likes to think about, but we hope this free offer gives you and your family peace of mind.

Best regards,
Neil,
Slater & Gordon IT department

www.slatergordon.com.au
National Law Week runs from May 13 to 19.

START NOW
https://online.slatergordon.com.au/sgo/?
Last year the site slowed down due to the huge influx, however, we have made some changes to prevent that this time round. If you do have any technical issues, please contact our friendly IT support team at [email protected]

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closed Comments

  • I did a will last year. Can I update that or should I start a new one?

    • +4

      Sure, you can update your Will if your circumstances have changed.
      For example if you have had a child, or purchased or sold an asset - such as a property, or you have simply changed your mind on how you want to distribute your estate.

        • +17

          That was general advice. Lawyers are allowed to speak without everything they say being misconstrued as legal advice.

        • But is Neil a lawyer? Or just someone who works in the IT dept of a law firm?
          edit: Not that it matters. Just wondering..

        • +17

          I work in the IT department, the comment is not classified as legal advice. Thanks! Neil.

        • Fine. My thinking was that it's often not a simple matter of updating a will and I would not want the statement to be relied on to a person's detriment. I see the dispute side, where these sorts of things become an issue and can be easily challenged.

          I should hold my tongue because probate becomes much more lucrative where there are disputes - neg away.

      • +2

        Thanks for the free will Neil but a free slush fund would have been better.

        • +3

          Thanks for the free will Neil but a free slush fund would have been better.

          Sorry that deal is now sold out.

    • +2

      Would probably be best to start a new will as there will be a revocation clause revoking your old wills. There are specific requirements that need to be met for the will to be valid.

      • -1

        Isn't the revocation clause in all standard preambles?

    • +3

      To be fair using our system it's just as simple to start it fresh.

  • I thought I'd give the Estate Planning Self-Assessment a try.

    Silly question I encountered:
    "Is the testator planning to get married in the near future?*

    Since I had to look up the word "testator", I think it would be easier if they said:
    "Are you planning to get married in the near future?"

    Another silly question you are asked:
    "Have you had a son or daughter die leaving behind a child or children of his or her own (ie do you have a grandchild or grandchildren from a son or daughter who has since died)?*

    You are asked this question even after you have answered "no" to whether you have had a son or daughter in a previous question.

    • +3

      "you" may not be the testator

      • +3

        Wouldn't it follow logic to use "testator" in all other questions then, instead of referring to "you" and "your will" and so forth? It's inconsistent.

        • i have no idea, i haven't completed S&G will. i just know you may not be the testator :)

  • Not sure about other states, but if QLD you can also get a free will done anytime at the Public Trustee. They will also hold a copy for you, and be executor of the will (for a fee).

    • +4

      Yes - but appointing the Public Trustee can end up being very expensive for the estate. Use them to do up the Will, but don't appoint them as executors unless it's the absolute last resort.

      • +1

        This is exactly what I did. Was just making note to people that they also offer this service, but it does attract a fee.

  • +9

    Signed up to point out that although these and other wills may be "free", they generally require you to give authority to Slater & Gordon as executor of the estate allowing them to charge fees on your estate for their services as executor or any other legal advice they determine necessary.

    • How much will the fees be?

      • +2

        'generally require you to give authority to Slater & Gordon as executor of the estate allowing them to charge fees'…. What's your response to this Neil Slater Gordon (rep)?

        • +5

          There are no obligations as part of this campaign. The Wills are being given away free, as we have done for the past three National Law weeks. Enjoy.

        • +3

          I used this free service last year, and found the whole process to be very straightforward for someone with no big issues of how to divide an estate. If there are complicated issues, the site clearly advises you to see a Soliciter. There was no obligation to use Slater and Gordon in the future,I was able to print out the completed will, get it signed and witnessed. Saved $150, worth the effort.

        • +4

          Thanks for the positive feedback. We're glad it was useful to you.

        • +1

          I dont know who/why I was neeged - all I was asking for was a rebuttal/statement from Neil Slater Gordon. People seem to enjoy negging way too much!

    • Wasn't the case for me when I did mine. Where did you see that?

      • +6

        i assume you have not died yet and they have not had to function as executors…. :P
        (i know… a big assumption… but that's why they pay me the big bucks…)

        • +2

          Be careful with those assumptions doc, zombie wills could become quite a niche market! ;)

        • +3

          Well apparently I've a zombie IP address here. :P

    • +5

      A lawyer ripping us off… well I never!

    • +8

      I swore I wouldn't comment this years, but I cant help myself.
      Up until the beginning of the year I worked at S&G and also ran this campaign over the last two years (although I am no longer associated with them)
      Assuming that nothing has changed this year…they are actually being truthful…it is completely free for LawWeek, they will store your will for free (if you want), and you do not have to use any of their paid services for executing your will (but you can if you want).

      Just my two bobs worth from my past relationship with the firm….now…back to my new job :)

      • +2

        You're absolutely right, and beat me to the punch line here.
        There are absolutely no hidden catches or agendas.
        We're rolling out the same offer as we have done for the last few years. It's always been a success. It's not often a law firm gives away something for free.

        • +2

          It's not often a law firm gives away something for free.

          Too right that is!

    • If you are going to post this, you should be sure that it is relevant to the Wills being provided by Slater & Gordon. Can you clarify that is the case?

      • +1

        Haven't gone through the online process but in the sample will on the website refer to:

        "3. Appointment of executor
        I appoint my wife Wilma Flintstone to be the executor of my Will.
        If she is unable or unwilling to act, then;
        (a) I GIVE the managing director at the date of my death or if there is no managing
        director, the chief executive officer of Slater & Gordon Limited ACN 097 297 400
        (“Slater & Gordon”) at the date of my death, the authority to nominate not more than 2
        legal practitioners of that firm each of whom is of at least 5 years’ standing, or a
        professional trustee company to be the executor(s) of my Will."

        "13. Capacity and power of executor
        My executor:
        (a) has all the capacity and power in respect of my estate that a natural person would
        have if they were the absolute owner of my estate and acting in their personal
        capacity; and
        (b) may do anything my executor considers appropriate to administer my estate."

        "14. Examples of executor powers
        Without limiting clause 13, my executor may:

        (t) obtain and act upon advice from:
        (i) a professional investment adviser about the investment of my estate; or
        (ii) a solicitor, barrister, accountant, auditor, actuary, valuer, stockbroker, surveyor
        or other professional adviser on any matter concerning my estate within their
        area of expertise,
        and pay out of my estate the costs of that advice (the fact that my executor has
        obtained professional advice under this clause does not require them to follow that
        advice);"

        That being said you may be able to opt out of some of these provisions. I am just recommending caution. What may cost you nothing now may end up costing your family thousands once you are gone.

        • -1

          Well that's not what you wrote which was "require you to give authority to S&G". Anybody who copies the sample will without reading is a fool.

        • Who said anyone was copying it?

          bod311 is saying the sample raised an issue.

          Other people have provided clarification and maybe S&G want to modify their sample so it doesn't worry anyone about their services.

        • Oh dear, does everybody require everything in the world to be made foolproof from misinterpretation these days? Though I agree it wouldn't hurt for S&G to put a dummy name there to forestall paranoia.

          Also this is the sample. What does it actually say on the web form? Is the S&G checkbox sneakily prechecked?

        • @bod311 - In this instance, you are just promoting misinformation.

    • Hi there, as a national law firm we do offer a vast range of legal services, if required. However, we are giving away free Wills as part of National Law week, there are no hidden catches.

    • I bought this very same point up in one of the last posts, think you can still appoint your own executor… i'll have to find the links…

      EDIT:
      ahhh here are two of them:

      http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/45074 2011
      http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/70042 2012

      and the answer to this one is on the second page of 2011
      top comment.
      http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/45074?page=1

  • National law week? Not even Wikipedia knows about this. I'm hoping that there is at minimum a national law week parade with different groups represented, disgruntled divorcees and such.

    • +4

      These types of things (special days or weeks) are always created for the self-benefit of the parties involved. I think we should start a national OzBargain week to promote the good cause of OzBargain to the wider public.

    • +2
  • Absolutely fantastic and perfect timing, thanks S&G!

    • +23

      bonez… DON"T JUMP!!!

    • You're welcome. Enjoy.

  • -7

    Wheres the Rep gone. Cmon SAG, answer some of the questions. Sounds like your ex employees are doing a better job of promoting this!!

    • +2

      Hi, as mentioned earlier in responding to my ex-colleagues post, there are absolutely no hidden catches or agendas. This is a free offer we roll out every year as part of national law week. All the best.

    • I am not sure what is left to answer. You hand over your details, and opt whether or not to receive marketing emails, and after filling out a pro forma a simple will is generated.

      And now the standard spiel from me:-

      If you use one of these free will services you are a fool. At most you are saving yourselves a couple of hundred dollars, which you probably spend rotating the tyres on your car.

      Most law offices do wills cheaply. The reason for this is that we don't make money on the wills. We make money on the estates, ie when you die, and your beneficiaries retain us to clear up your financial affairs and sell everything off. True, there is no obligation on your beneficiaries to use the firm that holds the will, but they tend to do so.

      In a way, this is the best of both worlds for a law firm. You get a "free" will that you did yourself. The law firm gets the estate work when you die (probably). And even better, if the will is challenged, the law firm gets to charge your estate for defending it (kaching!) and if the will is found wanting, well its your silly fault for drafting it yourself in the first place. You should have retained a lawyer. For the law firm, its all of the upside, and none of the risk.

      A simple will is simple, yes. Yes you could probably draft it yourself. But if it goes balls up, the difference is THAT YOUR ESTATE HAS NO ONE TO SUE BECAUSE YOU DID THE WILL YOURSELF YOU STUPID B**TARD.

      Have fun.

      • +4

        My tyres rotate whenever my car is in motion!! Doesnt cost me a cent :-P

      • +1

        Its not a pro forma simple Will.Those online products are dangers as Paizuir suggests.Slater & Gordon’s online Will is unique as guides you through an estate planning self-assessment program before allowing you to proceed to complete a Will. If a standard Will does not suit your personal or financial circumstances the system provides you information about your special needs and won’t allow you to complete a standard Will.

        • +1

          Neil,

          Are you saying that the completion of this "online assessment" is a substitute for legal advice?

          I honestly hope that this machine only generates relatively straightforward wills. I would hate to see the results if it attempted to generate an elaborate will.

          Are there provisions in your T&Cs disclaiming liability in relation to these free wills in the event that it all goes pear-shaped? (genuine question, I tried to click through to your site but had trouble getting through).

  • +2

    Site is slllowwwwwwiiinngggggg down…..

    • +1

      yep, struggling for me too

    • +31

      Don't worry, where there's is a will there's a way.

  • +1

    I think the server is not anticipating the OZBARGAINer rush!

  • Hello yes the server is slowing somewhat, we do apologise as we did upgrade our server based on speed issues we had last year. You have to love technology!! We have had an overwhelming response so far. Thanks for your patience.

    • Server Error in '/sgo' Application.

      Runtime Error

      Description: An application error occurred on the server. The current custom error settings for this application prevent the details of the application error from being viewed remotely (for security reasons). It could, however, be viewed by browsers running on the local server machine.

      Details: To enable the details of this specific error message to be viewable on remote machines, please create a <customErrors> tag within a "web.config" configuration file located in the root directory of the current web application. This <customErrors> tag should then have its "mode" attribute set to "Off".

  • +90

    To my wife I leave the our engraved La Zuppa Spoons and my entire Kindle ebook collection.

    To my eldest son I leave my D-Link DIR-865L Cloud Gigabit Router. Please don't forget to claim the cashback (or else I will come back). And also my Zinio subscription to NUTS as well as Horse and Hound magazine.

    To my youngest son I leave all my Vistaprint loot, and my entire collection of Eneloop Batteries and Tmart / Mertiline torches.

    May you all remember me fondly.

    • Gold.

    • I'd give this 100 +ve votes if I could :)

    • Brilliant

    • i had been waiting for this comment since last year :)

    • amen

    • +1

      who gets your ozbargain account? :p

  • Just a reminder for Queenslanders - you can also get a free will done at the Public Trustee

    http://www.pt.qld.gov.au/wills/

    • +4

      We recommend checking the caveats before you accepting any free Wills from trustee companies.
      Many offer free Wills ONLY if you appoint them as the executor of your estate, we don’t exercise this, there are no hidden catches in our free Wills offer.
      Many, not all, charge a fee for their service PLUS a commission based on the total value of the estate – it can be very expensive.
      Slater & Gordon do offer executorial services but not as a condition of providing a free will, nor do we charge commission for administering an estate.

  • +5

    Last year the site slowed down due to the huge influx, however, we have made some changes to prevent that this time round

    didn't work :P

  • +2

    I just got this at the end of the survey:

    Our fee for producing your Will will be $398

    You'll need to pay our fee by credit or debit card before we can send your Will to you for signing. We will include a tax invoice for your payment with your Will.

    Please now click the 'Next' button below to enter your credit/debit card details.

    I don't know why it says I have 2 wills for $398 because I only filled out the survey once. Also, shouldn't it be free or did I do something wrong?

    • +1

      Hello, did you start this prior to 8am when we switched off the credit card payment function? If so, we can push this through for you, just send us the email address you registered with.

      • I started after seeing the Ozbargain offer. Just sent you a PM with my email, Thanks.

      • I think it's been pushed through now as it's in the completed transactions list. But how long does it take to come through to my email? Will there be a copy stored in my account under Document Management because there's nothing there at the moment?

        Thanks

  • I'm in QLD. What's the better option for me?

    Slater & Gordon or using the free Public Trustee service?

    I have not drafted a Will previously.

    Cheers for any advice!

    • Please see an earlier response re trustee comapanies…..

      We recommend checking the caveats before you accepting any free Wills from trustee companies.
      Many offer free Wills ONLY if you appoint them as the executor of your estate, we don’t exercise this, there are no hidden catches in our free Wills offer.
      Many, not all, charge a fee for their service PLUS a commission based on the total value of the estate – it can be very expensive.
      Slater & Gordon do offer executorial services but not as a condition of providing a free will, nor do we charge commission for administering an estate.

  • +1

    The site tells me that I will need a credit card to pay, after I approve of the will.

    This is after I went through the assessment.

    • +1

      Hello, did you start this prior to 8am when we switched off the credit card payment function? If so, we can push this through for you, just send us the email address you registered with.

      • G'day Neil,

        About 30 minutes ago.

        I am only part way through the process, so can I assume that it will not ask for card details, despite what was stated at the start?

        Good job, BTW.

        Chris

        • No it shouldn't ask you for payment, we switched off that function at 8am. Although, if you have any troubles let us know and we can waive it through for you if you provide us the email address you registered with. Cheers, Neil.

        • PM sent, Neil.

          Chris

  • To the rep,

    is there space to provide notes or a letter saying:
    - why some people are being included
    - why other people are being excluded (despite business/family/impositions)
    - that if someone isn't in the will there was no relationship whatsoever


    (I write this because I've seen a couple of challenges to wills, where the claimant was no one to the testator or the claimant was even a hated relative and in those cases, it would've helped to have the testator also saying there was no relationship or the other person had been unpleasant making statements like "when you die, this is mine" … without the word of the testator it just became the claimant's word and made up stories versus the beneficiaries and court at $10,000 a day is far too expensive to be sorting out who said what)

    • +1

      If you advise these matters whilst undertaking the estate planning self-assessment the systems will advise that these are not matters that the Online Standard Will deals with. The decision to leave someone out of a Will is a personal decision but should only be made after obtaining appropriate legal advice so that you understand the consequences and can take steps to minimise the risk of the Will being challenged.

  • +8

    Hi REP, just wanted to say thanks for being so responsive and providing a great deal, please ignore all the negativity and know a vast majority of us appreciate it :)

    Thanks.

    • +3

      Thanks for the feedback, there is a bit of scepticism, but it really is a genuine offer!

  • +14

    As the website is so slow, if I die before I finish filling it in, please let my wife know she can have all my debt. thanks

  • -2

    I have just spend 1 hour filling out my will details and I didn't start til after 11am today but it still wants $199-Not happy. I am now waiting for company to ring me back as there is a long wait to speak to someone. I need to get ready for work. I hope all my details /work doesn't get lost!!

    • +2

      Fear not your details will save, it should not be asking for payment. Got to love technology (when it works)!Email us your email address and we will waive the costs. Sorry for any inconvenience. Neil.

  • Ok I have sent you my email address by message. I hope this goes through as I am now going to work1

  • +1

    Server Error in '/sgo' Application.

    Runtime Error

    Description: An application error occurred on the server. The current custom error settings for this application prevent the details of the application error from being viewed remotely (for security reasons). It could, however, be viewed by browsers running on the local server machine.

    Details: To enable the details of this specific error message to be viewable on remote machines, please create a <customErrors> tag within a "web.config" configuration file located in the root directory of the current web application. This <customErrors> tag should then have its "mode" attribute set to "Off".

    <!— Web.Config Configuration File —>

    <configuration>
    <system.web>
    <customErrors mode="Off"/>
    </system.web>
    </configuration>

    Notes: The current error page you are seeing can be replaced by a custom error page by modifying the "defaultRedirect" attribute of the application's <customErrors> configuration tag to point to a custom error page URL.

    <!— Web.Config Configuration File —>

    <configuration>
    <system.web>
    <customErrors mode="RemoteOnly" defaultRedirect="mycustompage.htm"/>
    </system.web>
    </configuration>

    • Thanks for alerting us to this, it's now been fixed.

  • Server Error in '/sgo' Application.

    Runtime Error

    Description: An application error occurred on the server. The current custom error settings for this application prevent the details of the application error from being viewed remotely (for security reasons). It could, however, be viewed by browsers running on the local server machine.

    Details: To enable the details of this specific error message to be viewable on remote machines, please create a <customErrors> tag within a "web.config" configuration file located in the root directory of the current web application. This <customErrors> tag should then have its "mode" attribute set to "Off".

    <!— Web.Config Configuration File —>

    <configuration>
    <system.web>
    <customErrors mode="Off"/>
    </system.web>
    </configuration>

    Notes: The current error page you are seeing can be replaced by a custom error page by modifying the "defaultRedirect" attribute of the application's <customErrors> configuration tag to point to a custom error page URL.

    <!— Web.Config Configuration File —>

    <configuration>
    <system.web>
    <customErrors mode="RemoteOnly" defaultRedirect="mycustompage.htm"/>
    </system.web>
    </configuration>

    • Thanks for alerting us, it's now been fixed.

  • +1

    what happens if you die? does gordon slater have to become the excecutor or administrator? are they any fees for retrieving the will?

    • See above RE executor…

    • I have a further question on who you can ask to become witnesses for the will and how many witnesses are required?

    • +1

      Q Who can you ask to become witnesses for the Will and how many witnesses are required?

      A There must be 2 witnesses.
      Any capable adult over 18 years can be a witness.
      Witness must not be a person would will or might inherit under the Will.
      Special witness rules apply if the person is executing their will overseas, where a third witness who is a practicing lawyer must also witness the Will

    • +1

      Q Does Slater & Gordon have to become the executor or administrator?

      A A client can nominate S&G as their executor and administrator, but it’s entirely their choice, it is not a condition of use doing a Will and is only offered if the Will maker does not have a suitable family member or friend.

      Q Are they any fees for retrieving the Will?

      A No, there are no storage fees.

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