FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION
12 May 2025
“There’s No Such Thing as a Free Will”
Attwood Marshall Lawyers Warn of Hidden Costs & Risks
in Public Trustee Services
Leading estate planning firm Attwood Marshall Lawyers is warning Australians about the hidden dangers of relying on “free” Will services offered by Public Trustees. Despite appearing cost-effective upfront, these services can result in significant financial and emotional costs for families, particularly during the estate administration process.
Jeff Garrett, Legal Practice Director, says many clients don’t realise that these so-called free Wills often come with strings attached.
“Public Trustee Wills are typically simplistic and may not reflect your true wishes or circumstances. Worse, appointing a Public Trustee as executor often leads to excessive administration fees and prolonged delays in distributing estates. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to Wills. A small saving today could cost your family dearly tomorrow”.
Key concerns include:
- High fees during administration, sometimes exceeding what private lawyers would charge;
- Delays and poor communication with beneficiaries;
- Inflexible Wills that don’t account for complex family or business arrangements;
- Increased disputes, especially in blended families or where capacity is in question.
In one case, a vulnerable 87-year-old woman with signs of cognitive decline had her Will changed by the NSW Trustee and Guardian, appointing them as executor. After her passing, her family faced legal and emotional turmoil trying to undo the damage.
Attwood Marshall Lawyers urge individuals to seek professional legal advice when preparing a Will or appointing an executor. A qualified estate planning lawyer can tailor documents to individual needs, ensure proper execution, and help avoid future disputes.
-ENDS-
Note to editors
Attwood Marshall Lawyers’ Legal Practice Director, Jeff Garrett is available for interview. Please contact Shan Harvey, Media Specialist on 0438 772 752 or [email protected]
- To see our previous interviews in the media, visit our ‘In the Media’ web page here.
- Attwood Marshall Lawyers’ also have an extensive library of articles on diverse areas of law, Please visit our blog archive here.
Established in 1946, Attwood Marshall Lawyers is a leading law firm providing expert legal services in all areas of law including wills and estates, aged care, estate litigation, family law, compensation law, commercial litigation, property and commercial law, and equine breeding and racing law.
Find out more about Attwood Marshall Lawyers at https://attwoodmarshall.com.au
About us:
Attwood Marshall Lawyers’ Legal Practice Director, Jeff Garrett is available for interview. Please contact Shan Harvey, Media Specialist on 0438 772 752 or [email protected]
Ø To see our previous interviews in the media, visit our ‘In the Media’ web page here.
Ø Attwood Marshall Lawyers’ also have an extensive library of articles on diverse areas of law, Please visit our blog archive here.
Established in 1946, Attwood Marshall Lawyers is a leading law firm providing expert legal services in all areas of law including wills and estates, aged care, estate litigation, family law, compensation law, commercial litigation, property and commercial law, and equine breeding and racing law.
Find out more about Attwood Marshall Lawyers at https://attwoodmarshall.com.au
Contact details:
Shan Harvey
Media Specialist
Ph: 0438 772 752 or 07 5553 5803
[email protected]
