A Will is one of the most personal legal documents you’ll ever sign. It can also be one of the most expensive to “fix” if it’s done poorly.
If you’re on the Sunshine Coast and looking for a wills and estates lawyer, the easiest way to choose well is to ask a few practical questions up front. The answers will tell you a lot about experience, approach, and whether the lawyer is a good fit for your situation.
Below is a guide to what to ask (and why it matters).
1) “Do you have a dedicated Wills & Estate Planning team?”
Wills and estates is its own area, with details that can cause real problems later if they’re missed (often not until someone dies).
A useful question is whether the firm has a genuine team in this space, rather than one person who “also does Wills”.
If you want to compare firms on the Sunshine Coast, ask:
- How many solicitors in the firm actively practise in wills and estate planning?
- What happens if your solicitor is away — is there another solicitor in the team who can step in?
At Spire Law, there are 7 solicitors who practise in Wills and Estate Planning, which means clients can access a broader mix of experience and continuity of support.
2) “Can I meet at an office that’s convenient for me?”
Estate planning usually involves at least two touchpoints:
- the advice/strategy appointment, and
- the signing appointment (which must be done properly).
If it’s hard to get to the lawyer, it often gets delayed.
Ask:
- “Where are you located?”
- “Can I meet in person close to home or work?”
- “Do you have multiple local offices?”
Spire Law has 5 offices across the Sunshine Coast, which can make it easier to book appointments locally and keep the process moving.
3) “What’s included in your price—and what’s extra?”
Not all “Will packages” are the same. Before you proceed, ask for clarity about what the quote actually covers.
A helpful quote should tell you whether it includes:
| Item | Worth asking because… |
|---|---|
| Initial appointment (and how long) | Some matters need more than a quick chat |
| Drafting and revisions | You’ll usually want at least one round of changes |
| Signing appointment | Execution must be done properly to avoid problems later |
| Secure storage of originals | Lost wills cause delays and cost |
| Enduring Power of Attorney | Often just as important as the Will |
| Advance Health Directive | Commonly done alongside an EPOA |
| Testamentary trust drafting | Usually an additional cost (and should be) |
| Superannuation nomination guidance | Your Will may not control super at all |
Also ask whether the fee is:
- a fixed fee,
- an estimate, or
- hourly billed (and what the likely range is).
4) “How do you make sure the Will actually matches my life (not a template)?”
Good estate planning starts with questions, not forms.
Ask how the lawyer will identify and plan for:
- your family structure (including stepchildren and second relationships)
- your assets (including jointly held property)
- superannuation and life insurance arrangements
- business interests (company/trust structures)
- any vulnerable beneficiaries (disability, addiction, financial risk)
- what conflict might look like later (and how to reduce it)
A practical sign of a good process is that the lawyer can explain the why behind each clause, and how it works in real life.
5) “How do you handle blended families?”
Blended families are common—and they’re one of the most common sources of estate disputes.
Useful questions include:
- “If I leave everything to my partner, how do I protect my children from a previous relationship?”
- “Can my partner change their Will later?”
- “What options are there other than ‘everything to spouse’ or ‘split between kids’?”
You’re looking for a lawyer who can explain options in plain language, such as:
- specific gifts vs residue planning
- rights of residence / life interests
- testamentary trusts
- staged distributions
- superannuation nomination strategies that align with the Will
6) “Do you talk to me about superannuation and death benefits?”
Superannuation is often one of the biggest assets a person has—and it often doesn’t automatically go where your Will says.
Ask:
- “Will you review my super arrangements as part of the estate plan?”
- “Do you help me think about binding vs non-binding nominations?”
- “How do we make sure my Will and my super nominations don’t contradict each other?”
If super isn’t discussed at all, it’s worth questioning whether the advice is complete.
7) “What’s your approach to reducing the risk of a dispute later?”
No lawyer can guarantee nobody will ever challenge an estate plan. But good planning can reduce risk.
Ask what steps they take to lower the chances of a dispute, for example:
- clear drafting (so there’s less room for arguments)
- documenting the background (where appropriate)
- capacity safeguards if there are health concerns
- ensuring proper, independent witnessing and signing procedure
- discussing common “pressure points” within families
A good answer is practical and calm—not vague reassurance or scare tactics.
8) “If I’m older or unwell, how do you deal with capacity concerns?”
If there’s any chance someone could later argue the Will-maker didn’t understand what they were signing, the process should be handled carefully.
Ask what they do to protect the Will in higher-risk situations, such as:
- taking detailed instructions and file notes
- meeting the Will-maker alone (where appropriate)
- asking clear questions to confirm understanding
- recommending further safeguards if needed
This can be the difference between a Will that stands up and a Will that becomes a court problem.
9) “Who should be my executor—and what will they actually have to do?”
Many people pick an executor based on closeness, not suitability.
Ask:
- “What does an executor actually do in Queensland?”
- “Is probate likely to be needed for my estate?”
- “Should I appoint more than one executor?”
- “When does it make sense to appoint a professional executor?”
A good lawyer will help you choose someone who can actually do the job, and explain what the role involves in everyday terms.
10) “How will my documents be stored—and how will my family find them?”
This is a simple question that prevents big problems later.
Ask:
- Where will the original Will be stored?
- Will I get copies?
- What should I tell my executor?
- How does retrieval work if my family needs it?
A “perfect” Will is not much help if nobody can find it.
11) “When should I update my Will and estate plan?”
Wills and estate plans aren’t set-and-forget.
Ask what review triggers they recommend, such as:
- marriage, separation, divorce, or a new de facto relationship
- new children or grandchildren
- buying or selling property
- starting/selling a business
- major changes to superannuation
- death or incapacity of an executor or beneficiary
It’s also reasonable to ask whether the firm has a clear review process you can return to over time.
Quick checklist: questions to take to your first appointment
| Question | What a good answer sounds like |
|---|---|
| Do you have a dedicated wills team? | More than one solicitor in the practice area (continuity matters) |
| How many solicitors practise in Wills & Estate Planning? | A clear, specific answer |
| How many local offices do you have? | Convenient access for advice and signing |
| What’s included in the fee? | Clear inclusions, clear exclusions, no surprises |
| Will you discuss superannuation? | “Yes—your Will and super should be aligned.” |
| How do you handle blended families? | Explains options and asks the right family questions |
| How do you reduce dispute risk? | Practical steps, not vague reassurance |
| Where is the original stored? | Secure storage and a clear retrieval process |
| When should I review this? | Clear triggers and sensible timeframes |
Final takeaway
Choosing the right wills and estates lawyer isn’t about finding the cheapest option—it’s about finding someone who asks the right questions, explains your options clearly, and gives you a plan that fits your family and your assets.
On the Sunshine Coast, it’s worth looking for two things that make the process smoother:
- depth in the wills and estate planning team (so you’re not relying on a single person), and
- genuinely local access (so appointments and signing don’t become a barrier).
Spire Law’s team of 7 solicitors practising in Wills and Estate Planning, supported across 5 Sunshine Coast offices, is built around those practical advantages—while keeping the focus on what matters most: a clear plan your family can follow.
