collaborative wills & estates
Collaborative Wills & Estates: Planning and Resolving with Care
Wills and estates matters are rarely just about legal documents or financial outcomes.
They are about families, relationships, expectations — and often, deeply held views about what is fair.
Whether you are planning ahead or dealing with concerns after someone has passed, these situations can be complex. And if not handled carefully, they can lead to misunderstanding, conflict, and long-lasting strain within families.
There is another way to approach these matters.
Collaborative practice offers a structured, supported process to help families plan well and, where needed, resolve disputes thoughtfully — without unnecessary escalation.
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A Different Approach to Wills & Estates
Traditionally, estate matters fall into two categories:
- Planning — preparing a Will, structuring your affairs
- Disputes — challenging or defending a Will after death
Collaborative practice sits across both.
It provides a way to:
- Have the right conversations early
- Navigate complex family dynamics
- Address concerns before they escalate
- Resolve issues in a way that preserves dignity and, where possible, relationships
Estate Planning: Getting It Right the First Time
For many people, estate planning is not straightforward. This is particularly true for:
- Blended families
- Second relationships
- Families with differing expectations or needs
- Situations where fairness may not mean equality
A traditional approach often focuses on preparing documents. A collaborative approach goes further.
It can involve:
- Bringing key people into the conversation (where appropriate)
- Exploring expectations and concerns early
- Working through options with legal and financial input
- Creating clarity about why decisions are being made
This can:
- Reduce the risk of future disputes
- Support more considered and robust planning
- Help families feel informed and included
Sometimes, the most valuable work happens before anything is signed.
Estate Disputes: A Different Way to Resolve Concerns
When something doesn’t feel right after a death — whether it’s a Will, a distribution, or the way an estate is being managed — it can be difficult to know what to do next.
The traditional pathway is often: engage lawyers → escalate → litigate
But that pathway can be:
- Costly
- Time-consuming
- Emotionally draining
- Damaging to family relationships
Collaborative practice offers another option.
It allows families to:
- Come together in a structured, supported environment
- Share information openly
- Work through concerns directly
- Focus on practical, fair outcomes
It is not about avoiding the issues. It is about addressing them in a way that leads somewhere constructive.
How the Collaborative Process Works in This Space
In a collaborative wills and estates matter:
- Each person has their own lawyer
- Everyone agrees to focus on resolution without going to court
- Meetings are held with all parties present
- Information is shared openly and transparently
- Other professionals (such as financial advisers or counsellors) can be involved where helpful
This creates a process that is:
- Structured — so discussions are productive
- Supported — so people feel heard and guided
- Informed — so decisions are made with the right advice
Why This Approach Can Be So Effective
Wills and estates matters often involve more than legal rights.
They involve:
- Family history
- Expectations and assumptions
- Feelings about fairness
- Ongoing relationships
Collaborative practice creates space to address these layers — not just the legal outcome.
Clients often value:
- The ability to be part of the conversation
- A more respectful and private process
- The opportunity to reach outcomes that feel considered and balanced
- A pathway that doesn’t automatically lead to litigation
Is This Right for Every Situation?
Not always.
There are circumstances where court is necessary — particularly where there are urgent issues, significant disputes, or an inability to engage in the process.
But for many families, collaborative practice offers a genuine alternative — one that allows matters to be resolved thoughtfully and with greater control.
Our Approach
At Life Law Solutions, collaborative practice is part of how we approach better law.
- Elizabeth is collaboratively trained in both family law and wills & estates, and is a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), bringing expertise to complex matters across both areas.
- Fraser is collaboratively trained in family law and also works within the process as a facilitator or coach, supporting communication and helping keep discussions constructive and on track.
We work with you – and with other professionals where appropriate – to create a process that is thoughtful, practical, and tailored to your situation.
starting the conversation
If you’re wondering whether this approach might work for you, you don’t need to decide straight away.
A first conversation can help you understand how the process works in your situation, explore whether it’s a good fit, and consider your options moving forward.
From there, we can help you take the next step – in a way that feels clear, supported, and right for you.
Download our 'A Better Way to Separate' eBook
Download our 'Resolve Estate Disputes Without Litigation' eBook
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