Margaret Vale
Wills, estates and powers of attorney for thirty years.
LIV Accredited Specialist [placeholder]
TV·01 Lawyers · Wyndham Street, Shepparton
Law,
Law, heretofore in plain English.
Thornbury Vale writes wills, handles property and looks after small businesses across the Goulburn Valley. We write it so you can read it, and we tell you the fee before we start.
- Fixed fees, in writing, before we start
- A free 20-minute first meeting
- An accredited specialist in wills and estates
Clause 1 · Your will
I, the Testator, HEREBY REVOKE all former Wills and testamentary dispositions heretofore made by me I cancel every will I've made before this one.
I APPOINT my spouse to be the sole Executor and Trustee of this my Will (hereinafter called “my Trustee”) My partner, Sam, will carry out this will. Should my said spouse predecease me or fail to survive me by thirty days then I APPOINT my sister in lieu thereof If Sam dies before me, or within 30 days of me, my sister Ana will do it instead.
I GIVE DEVISE AND BEQUEATH the whole of my estate both real and personal whatsoever and wheresoever situate unto my said spouse absolutely Everything I own goes to Sam.
TV·02 Plain English
Words you'll hear, explained.
Tap a dotted word for what it means. We'll use these with you, so it helps to know them.
When someone dies, the person they named to carry out their will usually needs ProbateThe Supreme Court's confirmation that a will is valid, so the executor can collect and hand out what the person owned. before the bank will release anything. A Enduring power of attorneyA document that lets someone you trust make financial decisions for you, including if you can't make them yourself. is for while you're alive; so is naming a Medical treatment decision makerIn Victoria, the person you choose to make medical decisions for you if you can't..
Buying a house? The seller gives you a Section 32 statementThe vendor's statement in Victoria: who owns the land, what's on the title, rates, zoning and anything else you should know before you sign., and our quote keeps our fee apart from the DisbursementsFees we pay to other people for you, such as searches and government fees, passed on at cost..
- Executor
- The person who carries out a will.
- Beneficiary
- Someone who receives something under a will.
- Settlement
- The day the money changes hands and the house becomes yours.
- Cooling-off
- Three business days after a private sale to change your mind, at a small cost.
TV·03 Fixed feesThe fee,
The fee, to be advised up front.
Pick what you need and see the fixed fee, with other people's fees listed separately. You get it in writing before we start.
If the job changes, we tell you before it costs more.
This is our fixed fee, not an hourly guess. Before we start you get it in writing with how we charge, as the Legal Profession Uniform Law requires, and your rights if you disagree with a bill.
TV·04 Buying a home
Buying a home, step by step.
What you do, what we do, and roughly how long each part takes in Victoria. Pick where you're up to.
Before you sign 1 to 3 days
YouSend us the contract and Section 32 before you sign or bid.UsWe read it and tell you what's unusual, in plain English.Cooling-off 3 business days
YouA private sale? You can still pull out, for a small cost. There's no cooling-off at auction.UsWe tell you what withdrawing would cost.Finance and building checks 2 to 3 weeks
YouGet unconditional loan approval and your inspections done.UsWe watch the deadlines in the contract.Getting ready to settle 2 to 4 weeks
YouArrange insurance and tell us how you'll pay the balance.UsSearches, adjustments, land transfer duty and the e-settlement.Final inspection the week of settlement
YouCheck the property is as agreed.UsSort out anything that isn't with the seller's lawyer.Settlement settlement day
YouCollect the keys.UsSettle electronically and register you as the owner.
TV·05 Team
Four people, one accredited specialist.
Margaret is accredited by the Law Institute of Victoria in wills and estates. The rest of us say what we practise in.
Tom Nguyen
Practises in property and conveyancing; reads every Section 32 twice.
Practising certificate, Victoria [placeholder]Grace Owusu
Practises in small business: leases, partnerships and selling a business.
Practising certificate, Victoria [placeholder]Ruby Clarke
Runs settlements and keeps everyone on time.
Supervised by a principal [placeholder]TV·06 Visit
Wyndham Street, upstairs.
HoursMon–Fri 9–5
Evenings by appointment.
Address88 Wyndham St
Shepparton; lift from the arcade.
MeetIn person or video
Home and hospital visits for wills.
CostsIn writing first
A fixed fee, or an estimate if it can't be fixed.
Is the first meeting really free?
Yes: 20 minutes to work out what you need and what it'll cost. If it's simple, that may be all you need.
Do I need a lawyer to buy a house?
No; a licensed conveyancer can do it too. We're worth it when the contract is unusual or the deal is complicated.
What if it's not your area?
We'll say so and point you to someone whose area it is.
TV·07 Book
Let's put it in writing.
Book a free 20-minute first meeting, in person or by video.