Estate readiness Australia-wide, by telehealth
Estate readiness, so your family and your executor are never left guessing.
Most families only discover how scattered things are on the worst day of their lives: the will is somewhere, the passwords are nowhere, and nobody is sure who to call first. Estate readiness is the quiet work of organising your affairs now, so the people you love can act calmly when the time comes.
Registered nurse, 20 years in aged care leadership
Based in Adelaide, telehealth nationally
One 90-minute consultation, $595
Family estate planning, made practical
What estate readiness actually means
A will says what should happen. Estate readiness makes sure it can happen. It is the practical side of family estate planning: knowing where your documents are, who your decision-makers are, what your healthcare wishes are, and what information your executor will need to do their job.
Organising affairs before death is not morbid. It is one of the kindest things you can do for the people you leave behind. When paperwork is in order, families spend less time searching through drawers and more time looking after each other.
Estate readiness also covers the time before death. If you lost capacity tomorrow, would anyone know your healthcare wishes or who should make decisions for you? That is why our consultation includes your advance care planning wishes alongside your estate information. You can read more in our guide, what is estate readiness?
We are not a law firm, and estate readiness does not replace a solicitor. Your will, Enduring Power of Attorney and other legal documents should be prepared or reviewed by a lawyer, and requirements differ between states and territories. Our role is to help you get organised around those documents, so nothing important is lost or misunderstood.
Estate readiness Australia-wide is most often requested by people aged 50 and over, pre-retirees putting their affairs in order, and adult children supporting ageing parents who want to understand where things stand before a crisis forces the question. Our founder, Jane Rooke, is a registered nurse with 20 years in aged care senior management, and she has guided hundreds of families through these conversations. She knows how to keep them calm, practical and respectful of the person at the centre.
Why families end up unprepared
01
The will is done, so everyone assumes the job is done.
But a will rarely says where the bank accounts, super, insurance policies or property titles are kept.
02
The executor has never been told what they are taking on.
Many executors learn they were appointed at the funeral, with no idea where to begin.
03
Nobody wants to be the one who raises it.
Adult children worry it sounds like they want something. A neutral guide takes that pressure away.
Family Estate Readiness Package
The Estate Readiness Consultation
One guided 90-minute consultation for $595, held by telehealth so family members anywhere in Australia can take part. Telehealth consultations are available nationally, and we are based in Adelaide, South Australia.
Document organisation
We work out what exists, where it is kept and what is missing, from wills and powers of attorney to insurance, super and property records.
Healthcare wishes
We check whether your future health care wishes are recorded, and whether the right people know about them.
Identifying decision-makers
Who would make medical decisions, who would manage money, and who is your executor? We make sure those roles are clear and known.
Executor readiness
We help you put together what your executor will need, so they are not starting from nothing. See executor preparation for more detail.
A printable workbook and folder
Your Estate Readiness workbook covers personal, healthcare, estate, financial and digital information, all kept together in one place.
A personal action plan
You finish with a full assessment and a clear list of next steps, including anything to take to your solicitor.
We do not provide legal advice and we do not complete legal documents on your behalf.
Estate planning checklist
Your estate readiness checklist
A simple starting point. If you can tick off each of these, and someone you trust knows where to find the answers, you are well on your way.
- —Your will. Is it current, and does your executor know where the original is held?
- —Decision-makers. Do you have an Enduring Power of Attorney for financial matters and an advance care directive for health decisions?
- —Financial inventory. Bank accounts, superannuation, shares, insurance and debts, listed in one place.
- —Property records. Titles, mortgages and how each asset is held, whether in your sole name or jointly.
- —Key contacts. Your solicitor, accountant, financial adviser, GP and insurers.
- —Digital life. Email, online accounts, subscriptions and how to access them safely.
- —Personal wishes. Funeral preferences, care of pets, and the things that matter that a will does not cover.
For a fuller list, see documents to organise before a crisis, or if you are supporting a parent, questions to ask ageing parents. Care & Legacy Advisors are happy to go through the process alongside you.
Prefer to start on your own?
Two ways to get estate ready
Work through the self-guided workbook at your own pace, or let us guide you and your family through it in a single consultation. If a loved one has already died in South Australia, our estate administration support can help instead.
Estate Readiness Workbook
A self-guided workbook with a document locator, financial inventory, executor readiness checklist and probate preparation checklist. Instant download.
$99
Download the Estate Readiness WorkbookEstate Readiness Consultation
90 minutes by telehealth with a full assessment, printable workbook and folder, and a personal action plan to finish.
$595
Book an Estate Readiness ConsultationQuestions
Estate readiness, answered plainly
What is estate readiness?
Estate readiness means getting your affairs organised so the people you trust can find what they need and act on your wishes. It covers your documents, your healthcare wishes, your decision-makers and the information your executor will need. It sits alongside your will rather than replacing it.
Is estate readiness the same as estate planning?
Not quite. Estate planning usually refers to the legal work, such as preparing a will or powers of attorney, which should be done with a solicitor. Estate readiness is the practical organising around that legal work, so everything can be found and understood when it matters.
Do you write wills or other legal documents?
No. Care & Legacy Advisors is not a law firm and we do not provide legal, financial or medical advice or prepare legal documents. If the consultation shows you need a will, an Enduring Power of Attorney or an update to existing documents, we will suggest you speak with a solicitor.
Who is the Estate Readiness Consultation for?
It suits people aged 50 and over, pre-retirees, and adult children supporting ageing parents. It also suits anyone who has been named as an executor and wants a clearer picture of what they would be stepping into.
Can we do the consultation if we live in different states?
Yes. Consultations are held by telehealth and are available nationally, so family members in different states can join the same session. In-person sessions may be available in Adelaide.
What do I get with the $595 consultation?
A guided 90-minute consultation, a full assessment of where things stand, a printable Estate Readiness workbook and folder covering personal, healthcare, estate, financial and digital information, and a personal action plan setting out your next steps.
Should I start with the workbook or the consultation?
If you are organised by nature and comfortable working alone, the $99 Estate Readiness Workbook is a good place to start. If you have been putting this off, have a complicated family situation, or want someone to guide the conversation, the consultation is usually the better choice.
General information only, current at the time of writing. It is not legal, financial or medical advice and does not take your circumstances into account. Requirements differ between states and territories — please confirm the current position for your jurisdiction, and speak with a solicitor about legal questions.
Related guides
Estate readiness
What Is Estate Readiness?
Estate readiness is about more than having a will. Learn what it means, why it matters, and how to get your affairs organised so your family isn't left searching.
Read the guide →
Estate readiness
10 Documents Every Family Should Organise Before a Crisis
When a health crisis or death happens, families often scramble to find paperwork. This checklist of 10 key documents helps you get organised while everyone is well.
Read the guide →
Estate readiness
Questions Adult Children Should Ask Their Parents
Not sure where to begin? These gentle, practical questions to ask ageing parents cover health wishes, important documents and who they trust to help.
Read the guide →
Get your affairs in order, so your family isn’t left guessing.
Care & Legacy Advisors are happy to go through the process alongside you. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, with telehealth consultations available nationally.
Or email janerooke@careandlegacy.com.au