Wills
Clear, valid wills that meet every formal requirement and genuinely reflect your wishes, drafted, reviewed and updated as life changes.
Wills & Estates
Protect the people who matter, before it's out of your hands.
Wills, powers of attorney and estate planning that hold up when they're needed, plus probate and estate administration when you've lost someone, so your wishes are clear and your family is spared the hard parts.
Book a consultation
Google Reviews 5.0
The cost of 'I'll sort it out later'
Almost no one plans to leave their affairs unfinished. But a will that was never written, never updated, or never signed correctly doesn’t just create paperwork: it creates conflict, expense and uncertainty for the people you most wanted to protect, at the worst possible time.
The rules are stricter than most people realise. In NSW a will must be in writing, signed, and witnessed by two people to be valid; without a valid will, the law decides who inherits, not you. And an eligible person has just 12 months from the date of death to contest an estate. Small oversights become large problems once it’s too late to fix them.
We make sure your wishes are properly documented and legally sound, and when you’re the one left administering an estate, we guide you through probate and the steps that follow, so you can focus on your family instead of the process.
What's included
Estate planning and administration, in safe hands
Whether you're planning ahead or managing an estate after a loss, we cover the documents and processes that protect your family.
Powers of attorney
Appointing someone you trust to manage your financial and legal affairs if you're ever unable to.
Enduring guardianship
Naming who can make health and lifestyle decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity.
Probate & estate administration
Guiding executors through the probate application and the administration of the estate, step by step.
Contesting & defending a will
Advice and representation on family provision claims, whether you're making a claim or protecting an estate.
Estate planning
Structuring your estate, including testamentary trusts where useful, to protect beneficiaries and provide for the people who matter.
Why Vanguard
Legal advice that feels
empowering, not overwhelming.
We pair expert legal knowledge with practical strategy to resolve your challenges efficiently, and keep you informed and supported at every step.
- 01
Genuine expertise
Highly qualified across commercial, property, family, criminal, employment and estate law, so your matter is handled by people who do this every day.
- 02
Honest, jargon-free advice
Transparent communication and clear guidance. You'll always know where you stand, what it costs, and what happens next.
- 03
On your terms
Flexible consultations: in person at Bankstown, by phone or by video. Legal help that fits around your life, not the other way around.
Don't leave it to chance, or to the courts.
Book a consultation to put a valid will and estate plan in place, or to get probate moving. No obligation.
Mervat Sayed
Principal Solicitor & Founder
Mervat brings a grounded, people-first approach to legal practice, combining technical expertise with a genuine commitment to accessible, empowering advice. She has worked across commercial and property, family law, wills and estates, criminal law and litigation, and is known for clear communication and client empathy.
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- Bachelor of Social Science (Peace & Development)
- Admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW
How it works
Getting started is straightforward.
- 01
Book your consultation
Book online in under a minute or call us directly. We'll find a time that suits: in person, by phone or video.
- 02
Get a tailored strategy
We listen, cut the jargon, and give you a clear, personalised plan built around your goals and your situation.
- 03
Move forward with confidence
We act decisively to resolve your matter, keeping you informed and supported at every step.
Wills & Estates FAQs
Wills & Estates questions, answered.
Can't find what you're looking for? Call us on (02) 8766 2575. We're happy to help.
What makes a will valid in NSW?
A valid will in NSW must be in writing, signed by the will-maker, and witnessed by 2 people who sign in the will-maker's presence. The will-maker must be 18 or over and have mental capacity under the Succession Act 2006. Our Wills & Estates team drafts wills that meet every formal requirement.
What happens if someone dies without a will in NSW?
A person who dies without a will dies intestate, and the Succession Act 2006 sets who inherits. A spouse takes the whole estate when there are no children from another relationship. Children share the estate when there is no surviving spouse.
How long do I have to contest a will in NSW?
An eligible person has 12 months from the date of death to make a family provision claim contesting a will in NSW. The court can extend this time for sufficient cause. Eligible people include spouses, children, and some dependants. A contested estate often becomes Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
What is probate and when is it needed?
Probate is a Supreme Court order confirming a will is valid and authorising the executor to administer the estate. Banks and the Land Registry usually require probate before releasing larger assets or transferring real property. Our team applies for probate and administers the estate, so book a consultation.
Mervat was amazing throughout our entire home loan journey, from contract review through to settlement. Her fast responses ensured we didn't lose the property when timing was critical, and she made the whole settlement process feel simple and stress-free.
5 out of 5 stars. Review by Catherine Shemon on Google.
-
I'm beyond grateful for the expertise Mervat showed in handling my legal matter, along with the genuine care provided throughout the entire process. I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome — I couldn't recommend anyone more highly!
5 out of 5 stars. Review by Medina Sabanovic on Google.
-
I had a great experience working with Vanguard Lawyers for the settlement of my property. They were professional, responsive, and kept me informed throughout the entire process, making everything smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend their services.
5 out of 5 stars. Review by Manpreet Kaur on Google.
-
From our very first conversation, Mervat was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about my situation. Thanks to her dedication and strategic approach, we achieved a successful outcome. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a trustworthy and results-driven legal professional.
5 out of 5 stars. Review by Michael Smith Yassine on Google.
-
We are extremely grateful for the outstanding service you provided while helping us purchase our unit. From start to finish, your expert guidance kept us informed and confident, while your professionalism and genuine support made what could have been a stressful process remarkably smooth.
5 out of 5 stars. Review by Al Moroni on Google.
-
I had the pleasure of working with Mervat recently and couldn't be more impressed. She explained everything clearly, kept me informed throughout the process, and handled my matter with confidence and care. Her attention to detail and calm approach made a stressful situation much easier to deal with.
5 out of 5 stars. Review by Khodar Harbouki on Google.
-
Mervat was professional, supportive, and highly knowledgeable. She worked hard to achieve the best outcome for us. I highly recommend her and the team at Vanguard Lawyers.
5 out of 5 stars. Review by Amanda Branthwaite on Google.
-
I highly recommend Mervat. She is a passionate, caring and experienced lawyer. Mervat has done some great work for my family and I, and I can't recommend her enough.
5 out of 5 stars. Review by Guljan Boga on Google.
-
Mervat was fantastic in all my dealings with her. She is a fantastic and knowledgeable lawyer and I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone!
5 out of 5 stars. Review by Nour Salama on Google.
-
Mervat is an outstanding lawyer. Her knowledge and expertise is an absolute weapon in any legal battle. Thoroughly impressed.
5 out of 5 stars. Review by Dan Mikati on Google.
-
Thank you Mervat for assistance with my matter — couldn't have asked for a better lawyer to protect my interests!
5 out of 5 stars. Review by Charlie Pollock on Google.
-
Your professionalism, expertise, and prompt communication made a typically stressful process incredibly smooth and straightforward. I especially appreciate Mervat Sayed for patiently explaining the contract terms whenever we had difficulty understanding, and for being available on the phone to clarify any doubts.
5 out of 5 stars. Review by Nirmala Berkmans on Google.
-
Professional and easy to deal with. They explained everything clearly and handled my matter so well. I felt confident throughout the process — highly recommend!
5 out of 5 stars. Review by Lilly on Google.
-
As a first home buyer, I was pretty nervous about the whole settlement process, but Vanguard Lawyers made it incredibly smooth and stress-free. Mervat explained everything clearly, kept me updated at every stage, and was always available to answer my questions. Highly recommend Vanguard Lawyers to anyone needing help with their property settlement!
5 out of 5 stars. Review by R S on Google.
Book a consultation
Book your Wills & Estates consultation.
Tell us what you need and we'll be in touch quickly with clear, honest advice and the next steps. No obligation.
- Call (02) 8766 2575
- Email info@vanguardlaw.com.au
- Visit Level 1, Suite 1/443 Chapel Rd, Bankstown NSW 2200
- Hours Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm