With the festive season fast approaching and only a few weeks left until Christmas, now is the time to tick off those important legal tasks you’ve been putting off all year. At Complete Legal, we’ve noticed certain practice areas always see increased activity in December as people make a final push to get organised before the new year.

Whether it’s finally getting your Will sorted, settling on a property purchase, or seeking family law advice before the holiday period, we’re here to help you cross these items off your list while there’s still time.

Wills & Estate Planning: Peace of Mind Before 2025

Getting your estate planning documents in order is one of those tasks many people postpone indefinitely. If you’ve been meaning to create or update your Will, Power of Attorney, or Enduring Guardianship, the next few weeks present an ideal opportunity to finalise these essential documents before Christmas.

Our wills and estates team can guide you through the process efficiently. If you book an appointment in the coming weeks, there’s a strong chance we can have your documents prepared and executed before year’s end.

What to Consider Before Your Appointment

To make the most of your consultation, start thinking about these key decisions:

Your Executor: This is the person (or people) responsible for gathering your assets, paying your debts, and distributing your estate according to your Will. Choose someone trustworthy, organised, and capable of handling financial matters.

Your Attorney: Your attorney manages your business and financial affairs, either as you direct them or independently if you lose capacity due to illness or injury. This person needs to be financially responsible and someone you trust implicitly with your affairs.

Your Enduring Guardian: This person makes lifestyle and medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot make them yourself. Their responsibilities can range from day-to-day matters like routine medical appointments to significant decisions about aged care placement or major medical procedures.

Incapacity can be temporary (such as being in a coma) or long-term (due to dementia, Alzheimer’s, or cognitive illness). Having these documents in place ensures your wishes are respected and your affairs are managed by people you trust.

Buying or Selling Property Before Year End

If you’re hoping to settle a property transaction before Christmas, time is running short. Most property transactions take approximately six weeks to complete, though it’s possible to finalise in four weeks if all parties are aligned and motivated.

What You Need to Know

If you’ve signed a contract recently and want to settle before the holiday break, communication is crucial. You should be actively coordinating with:

• Your solicitor or conveyancer
• Your mortgage broker (if purchasing)
• The real estate agent managing the transaction

Signing a contract is just the beginning. There’s substantial paperwork to complete before settlement, including executing loan documents (for buyers), arranging mortgage payouts (for sellers), and various other administrative tasks that require time and coordination.

Don’t leave these conversations until the last minute. The earlier you communicate your timeline expectations, the better chance you have of achieving a pre-Christmas settlement.

Family Law Support Over the Holiday Period

The holiday season can unfortunately amplify relationship difficulties for many families. Financial pressures associated with Christmas, extended family gatherings, and other seasonal stressors can trigger or escalate conflicts.

Emergency family law services are limited during the Christmas break. If you’re concerned about your relationship or need legal guidance on family law matters heading into the holidays, we recommend booking a consultation with our family law team in the next few weeks.

Early advice can help you understand your rights and options, giving you clarity and confidence during what can be an emotionally challenging time.

Other Legal Services Available

Beyond wills, property, and family law, we also provide comprehensive support in:

• Commercial and business law
• Employment law
• Criminal law
• Disputes and litigation

The timing of these matters can be less predictable. If you’re already involved in court or tribunal proceedings, there’s likely a timetable in place indicating your next appearance. Keep in mind that courts and tribunals close over the Christmas period like most other organisations.

Get Your Legal Matters Sorted Before the Break

Whether you have an existing legal matter requiring an update or you’ve been putting off important legal tasks all year, the next few weeks are your opportunity to start the new year with confidence and clarity.

Don’t let important legal matters slide into another year of procrastination. Contact Complete Legal today to discuss how we can help you finalise your legal to-do list before Christmas.