By CM Lawyers – Estate Administration Specialists in Marrickville, NSW
When a loved one passes, finalising their estate can feel like closing an important chapter. You’ve done the hard work — gathering documents, paying bills, sorting through memories and responsibilities. Once probate is granted, it’s easy to think it’s all over.
But sometimes, even with the best intentions, small details can slip through the cracks. And those small details can come back months or even years later, causing stress, delay, and unexpected costs.
That’s why we’ve introduced the Estate Health Check, a simple, confidential review to make sure everything about your estate administration is truly complete and protected.
What Is an Estate Health Check?
Think of it as a post-probate check-up for your estate. Just like you’d see a doctor to make sure you’re in good health, this review ensures your estate is legally sound.
Our team goes through the important details to confirm that:
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Probate notices were correctly published
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Any potential debts or liabilities were properly handled
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Estate accounts balance and all distributions were documented
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Your responsibilities as executor are fully covered
It’s a small step that can make a big difference — saving you from costly surprises down the line.
A Real Story: When One Missed Step Cost a Family $150,000
One family we helped (names changed for privacy) thought their estate matter was complete. Everything had gone smoothly — or so they thought.
Months later, an old business contact of the deceased came forward with an unpaid claim. Because a probate notice hadn’t been published at the start, the claim was valid, even though probate had already been granted. The family had to reopen the estate, pay additional legal fees, and wait over a year before receiving their inheritance.
In the end, the oversight cost more than $150,000 — and a great deal of emotional strain.
The executor later said, “I just wish I’d known there was a way to double-check things. It would’ve saved us so much time and heartache.”
Why a Check-Up Can Save You Trouble Later
Estate administration can be overwhelming — especially when emotions are still raw. Between forms, deadlines, and family expectations, even the most careful executors can miss a small requirement without realising it.
Common oversights include:
1. Not publishing the probate notice
Many executors don’t realise that a formal notice must be published before applying for probate. This notice alerts creditors and other interested parties that an application is being made, giving them a chance to come forward. Missing this step can leave the estate open to late claims long after you thought everything was done.
2. Forgetting to verify debts or liabilities
Even when the deceased appeared to have no outstanding debts, it’s vital to check thoroughly. Old credit cards, business dealings, or personal loans can resurface unexpectedly. If these aren’t settled properly, the executor may become personally responsible for paying them later.
3. Missing steps in finalising estate accounts
It’s not enough to distribute assets — the final estate accounts need to be balanced, documented, and recorded. These accounts provide a financial summary of all receipts, payments, and distributions. Without them, beneficiaries could question the administration or even challenge it in court.
4. Distributing assets too early
It can be tempting to finalise things quickly, especially when beneficiaries are waiting. But distributing assets before the statutory notice period ends (or before all liabilities are confirmed) can create major issues if a claim or debt arises later. Executors may then have to recover funds already paid out — an awkward and stressful situation for everyone.
An Estate Health Check helps catch these issues before they cause problems — giving you confidence that everything has been done properly and that your loved one’s legacy is secure.
A Simple Way to Protect What Matters Most
At CM Lawyers, we’ve guided hundreds of families through the probate process. We know how much care goes into settling an estate — and how stressful it can be when something doesn’t go as planned.
Our Estate Health Check is here to give you peace of mind. It’s quick, confidential, and designed to protect both you and your family from the kind of costly setbacks no one sees coming.
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