NSW Nursing Home RAD without Wills

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David Chang

Well-Known Member
31 August 2016
21
1
124
Dad's condition has deteriorate significantly in the nursing home; his eyes (glaucoma) is getting worst and he unable to sit up hence we have serious concern of him signing any wills.

Mom will be putting most of her retirement money towards his RAD and when he dies, my understanding the money will go to his estate.

I have asked this question in the past but I would like to approach it from different angle.

Given his condition, can I please get your honest feedback on the complexity of getting the RAD back to my mom once he's deceased and no wills?

We're a small family; just me, mom and dad, so there wouldn't be any conflict from our end as what went to RAD should go back to her 100%.

thank you!
 

Perp

Well-Known Member
30 June 2015
42
6
149
With regard to signing a will, provided your Dad still has capacity (which I know I talked to you about previously), he can still make a will even if he can't see or sign. If he can't read it, then the lawyer (usually) who prepared the will must read it to him, so that he knows its contents. If he can't sign it, then somebody else can sign on his behalf, provided the necessary two witnesses observe him directing the agent to sign on his behalf. Relevant NSW provision: SUCCESSION ACT 2006 - SECT 6 How should a will be executed?

If he really doesn't want to, or is incapable of, making a will, then under the intestacy rules in NSW, your Mum would receive all your Dad's estate anyway (based on the information provided, and provided you're a child of your parents, and there are no previous spouses and children, etc). Somebody (probably you) will have to apply for letters of administration with respect to his estate after he dies - basically the administrator is analogous to an executor, except they're not appointed by will - and then his estate will be distributed by the administrator in accordance with intestacy rules. This process takes several months after death. (Which it would even if there were a will.)
 
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