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Sydney Wills and Estate Lawyers

Our Sydney lawyers are experts in Contested Wills, Estate Planning, Wills and Probate.

About our Sydney law firm

Heckenberg Lawyers is a Sydney law firm. We’re experts in Contesting Wills , Probate, Wills and Estate Planning. Great communication, transparent fees, client-focussed and 5-star online reviews. Need help?

Our People

Contact us today to speak with a friendly team member

Graeme Heckenberg
Michael Majstorovic
Maneka Lovette

Why Us?

A few reasons why people are choosing our Sydney law firm

Experts in Wills & Estates

Honest Fees

Experienced

5-Star Reviews

Plain-English Advice

Personal Touch

Open for Business

Reviews

What people are saying about our Sydney Wills and Estate Lawyers

Mary Wyrley
Mary Wyrley
5-Star Google Review
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Graeme, Michael and the counsel they chose have been incredible. My family will dispute has been incredibly difficult and very acrimonious. Heckenberg have been helpful, supportive and always gave me realistic, honest advice about all possible outcomes. The outcome has been fantastic and I get to keep my home. Thank you
Jane Araneda
Jane Araneda
5-Star Google Review
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Thanks to Graeme, Blaise and their team at Heckenberg Lawyers for helping us finalise our matter in a timely manner. They were always very helpful and professional. They took care of everything very well, which meant that there was no added stress on me and my family. Jane A.
Kim Pink
Kim Pink
5-Star Google Review
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I found Heckenberg Lawyers to be very professional and knowledgeable. Graeme took the time and explained the entire process to me. He was never pushy nor was he just after "his cut" as so many other practices are. He was at all times looking out for the best interest of the estate and not wanting it to be eaten. I found his staff to be extremely thorough and attentive. I would have no hesitations to recommend this practice if you want the best outcome possible.
Donna Hodges
Donna Hodges
5-Star Google Review
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Blaise was extremely professional in assisting with all matters to do with my fathers estate and probate. She made an extremely complex process very easy to understand and instilled great confidence at a difficult personal time for our family.
Sonja Psaroudis
Sonja Psaroudis
5-Star Google Review
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If you need legal representation in a matter to do with Wills & Estate law I highly recommend Graeme, Blaise and the whole team at Heckenberg. Their knowledge and expertise in this area of the law was a huge comfort at a very difficult time, saving all parties involved time and money in the long run. Thanks again .!
Olma Mignacca
Olma Mignacca
5-Star Google Review
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Graeme is trustworthy and thorough. His charges were reasonable and easily understood. The team was considerate and helpful.
Samuel Burns
Samuel Burns
5-Star Google Review
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As the executor of an estate, I engaged Graeme and his team to handle a family provision claim and probate matter. I found Graeme to be professional and knowledgeable. Throughout the entire process, Graeme treated all parties involved with respect. He was always willing to take my concerns onboard and never pushy. Highly recommended.
Helen
Helen
5-Star Google Review
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Let me take this opportunity to thank you both for your professionalism, assistance and patience in this matter. Helen
Elaine Ivan
Elaine Ivan
5-Star Google Review
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Graeme, Thank you to you and your staff for taking on my case in regards to the estate of my dad Walter Etchells against my brother Robert Etchells. I am happy with the outcome as the amount is a lot more and fairer than Robert wanted. Thanks again for all the work you all put into this and for me receiving the settlement amount sooner than I thought I would. Regards Elaine Ivan
Peter Robinson
Peter Robinson
5-Star Google Review
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I am a UK Resident. My wife passed away after suffering a debilitating illness in 2022.Part of her estate was located in Australia NSW. To redeem it I had to obtain a Seal of Probate in the UK and a Reseal of Probate in Australia. I engaged Graham Heckenberg and his team to guide me through the process, explaining fees and steps necessary. On gaining the Reseal of Probate of my wife's estate they also enabled the transfer of the estate to myself. I would like to thank and recommend Graham and his team for their professionalism and efficiency in fulfilling my instructions
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Accolades

Looking for the best Wills and Estate Lawyers in Sydney NSW?

Best Estate Planning Lawyers in Sydney
Voted top 3 Sydney law firms for estate planning (2020, 2021, 2022)
doyles guide
Listed on the prestigious Doyles Guide for lawyers

Useful Information

FAQ and information about our Sydney law firm

There are a few ways to contest a Will in NSW:

You can submit a Family Provision Claim if you have received inadequate provision. 

If the court finds in your favour, it can vary the provisions or order the redistribution of the Estate. 

You may also contest the Will if the person died without making a Will. A person who dies without a Will is said to have died “intestate”.

A Will can also be challenged if it is found to be invalid.

The average cost to contest a Will is $0 if you hire Heckenberg Lawyers or Northern Beaches Lawyers. This is because we offer “No Win No Fee” for contested Wills. Our fees/costs are taken from the Estate.

Costs may vary depending on the nature of your claim. Please contact us for a free case assessment.

In NSW, the average cost to contest a will is about $5,000 to $10,000 if the matter stays out of court.

If the matter goes to court, the average cost to contest a will is about $20,000 – $100,000.

Most lawyers charge $300 to $850 per hour.

The average cost for a family provision claim in NSW that is finalised is about $30,000.

But, if you go to court, the cost can be more than $50,000.

Please contact us to learn more about the cost of contesting a Will in NSW.

Full article: Who can contest a Will in NSW

The following people are usually eligible to contest a Will in NSW:

  • Spouse
  • Defacto
  • Child
  • Former spouse
  • A person who was wholly or partly dependent on the deceased person and was a grandchild or a member of the household.
  • A person who was living in a close personal relationship with the deceased.

 

Did you know?

If you are a parent, sibling, step-child or former de-facto spouse, you are not considered to be an eligible person unless you are eligible under the category where you lived with the deceased and were dependent on the deceased.

We try to resolve each matter WITHOUT going to court by using alternative methods (e.g. negotiation and mediation). This can reduce your costs and stress.

However, we’ll advise you if going to court is a preferable option.

We offer No Win No Fee for contesting, challenging or disputing Wills.

Other services include a fee. Please contact us to learn more.

Do you have any of the following problems?

  • I don’t have a Will and I want to protect my assets by making sure they are fairly distributed when I die.
  • I have a Will and I would like to discuss an estate plan to make sure the value of my assets are protected.
  • I have found out that I am an Executor to a Will. I’m not sure what to do.
  • I am an executor to a Will and someone is disputing the Will. I need specialist help.
  • Someone close to me has passed away and I have been left out of a Will. What can I do?

We have offices in Sydney and have recently moved our offices from Mona Val to Avalon Beach (Northern Beaches).

Find our office addresses here.

Our commitment to you is that we will:

  • Listen to you.
  • Advise and explain the relevant law.
  • Keep you informed of significant issues in your case.
  • Provide you with cost-effective, practical advice in plain English.
  • Act in your best interests at all times. 
  • Keep your affairs strictly confidential.
  • We will not over-charge you, or waste your time or money.

You aren’t legally required to hire a lawyer to contest a Will in NSW.

But it can help you achieve a more favourable outcome. In other words, a larger share of the estate.

Hiring a lawyer can also save time, money and stress.

We prefer settling disputed estates out of court. This is usually better for our clients.

Please book a free case assessment here. We also offer No Win No Fee.

Graeme Heckenberg is a very experienced lawyer at contesting Wills in NSW.

Seeking the assistance of a specialist Probate Lawyer can help you navigate the process more efficiently.

Probate fees are regulated and we only charge in accordance with the scaled fees for obtaining the Grant of Probate.

You don’t need a lawyer to make a Will. But, it could be in your best interests to hire a lawyer for this service.

Why?

Many people look for the cheap option when it comes to making a Will.

They think their estate will be passed on according to their wishes as laid out in the Will.

The laws around Wills and Estates have changed and people are disputing Wills more frequently.

Obtaining the advice of an experienced Wills and Estate Planning lawyer can provide you the legal framework that ensures your estate is passed to your beneficiaries in the way you want.

It can also help avoid potential disputes and can transfer wealth between generations in a financially efficient and tax effective way.

Heckenberg Lawyers is a team of experienced lawyers who are focused on Wills, Estate Planning, Will Disputes and Probate. 

When you become a client you’re accessing the combined resources of all our lawyers without the cost of a big city law firm. 

You deal with a senior lawyer each time you speak with us about your matter. 

Our approach to your matter allows us to collaborate and determine the most effective strategy.

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