Where a person has lost capacity and is no longer able to make decisions for themselves, an Administrator can be appointed to make financial and property decisions for this person. At times it is not appropriate for a family member to be appointed as Administrator. In such a case, independent and professional Administrators may be appointed. The Administrator is obliged to act in the best interests of the person.

Katerina accepts appointments by VCAT as an independent professional Administrator. She also accepts appointments as Administrator from the Supreme Court to wind up a deceased estate. Our team of experienced lawyers also assist family members who are seeking to be appointed.

Please contact us to discuss more about appointments of Administrators and what options are available to you.

Powers of attorney are documents that you can sign now when you are healthy and clear-minded, appointing a trustworthy person to make decisions for you if you become unable to make your own decisions (i.e. if you do not have capacity). There are three powers of attorney that cover three different categories of decisions – medical, personal and financial.

Please refer to the Powers of attorney and incapacity disputes page for more information in relation to powers of attorney.

Being an attorney can, often, require a lot of work and time, and stress that can be difficult on some individuals.

Sometimes, it is not ideal, or possible, to appoint a family member or a friend as your attorney. In such a circumstance, you are able to appoint an independent attorney to act in your best interests and make these decisions for you on your behalf. Katerina accepts such appointments and will do so with honour.

Katerina is highly experienced in acting as an independent attorney and will do so whilst having constant regard for the overarching obligations that come with being an attorney. Above all, you can trust Katerina to ensure she makes decisions that are for your benefit only, and she will try her utmost to make the same decision that you would make should you have had the capacity.

Executors and trustees have very important responsibilities and obligations to uphold. Who to appoint to fulfil such a role can be a very difficult decision. The executor or trustee has formal authority to wind up the willmaker’s affairs, which includes closing bank accounts and investments, transferring or selling shares, redeeming accommodation bonds, disposing of possessions, such as personal items, etc, paying any debts, dealing with the person’s tax affairs, and any claims from creditors or claimants, and then distributing the balance in accordance with the Will.

There are many reasons why it may be beneficial to have an independent professional executor and trustee appointed in your Will, including complicated estates, potential family disputes, Will challenges, or the willmaker simply does not know anyone personally who would be a good and trustworthy candidate for the role.

Katerina accepts appointments as Executor and Trustee under a person’s Will. Katerina views such appointments as an honour, and not just a job. Katerina will fulfil her role as Executor and Trustee prudently and is committed to ensuring your wishes are fulfilled and your Will formula is followed.

Katerina and the team at Hartwell Legal can be trusted to administer your estate in a timely manner and wind up the estate efficiently, with the least possible stress (and cost) to family members and beneficiaries.

Where Katerina is appointed as Trustee, she is required to oversee a person’s assets for the benefit of that person (for example, she may be trustee of a trust for a minor gift recipient until they reach the age of 18 or the age as specified in the Will). Katerina will do her utmost to ensure the beneficiary is well cared for whilst ensuring the funds are invested appropriately with an aim to grow the funds for that beneficiary’s future.

Our expertise allows us to view the estate holistically and to ensure all matters in relation to the estate are dealt with. You can feel confidence and comfort knowing that your estate is handled in such a manner.