Why Solicitors Speak to Clients Alone During Will Appointments It’s not personal—it’s legal If you’ve ever accompanied a loved one to a Will appointment, you may have been surprised (or even a little offended) when the solicitor politely asked you to step outside. After all, you are only there to support your loved one, right? […]
Why Solicitors Speak to Clients Alone During Will Appointments
It’s not personal—it’s legal
If you’ve ever accompanied a loved one to a Will appointment, you may have been surprised (or even a little offended) when the solicitor politely asked you to step outside. After all, you are only there to support your loved one, right?
Rest assured, this request isn’t about excluding you. It’s about protecting your loved one and ensuring their wishes are heard clearly and independently. Here’s why that private time matters more than you might think.
What Really Happens in a Will Appointment
A Will appointment is more than filling out forms. It is a legal process where the solicitor must confirm who their client is and that they are providing instructions freely and independently.
Even if you regularly help your loved one with day-to-day decisions, estate planning is different. It requires confidential, unfiltered direction from the person making the Will.
Why Instructions Must Be Taken One-on-One
Solicitors are bound by strict professional rules to avoid conflicts of interest and undue influence. Even unintentionally, your presence could complicate matters. For example:
Even subtle pressures or expectations—real or perceived—can create legal risk. To safeguard the Will from future challenges, solicitors must take instructions directly and privately. This ensures that the instructions are not influenced or ‘driven’ by a third party.
Checking Mental Capacity Behind Closed Doors
Another key part of Will preparation is confirming that the person has the mental capacity to give instructions. The solicitor must be confident that your loved one understands:
This assessment works best without other persons in the room. Some people feel freer to speak openly and clearly when they are alone, without worrying about how family may react.
Common Questions from Family Members
Solicitors often hear concerns such as:
These are genuine and caring questions. But the best support you can give is allowing your loved one space to express themselves independently. That autonomy strengthens the Will and protects it against claims of pressure or manipulation later.
Protecting Families from Future Disputes
A well-drafted Will, based on independent instructions, stands up far better in court if challenged. If someone feels excluded or doubts whether the Will reflects true intentions, they may contest it. Lack of private instruction could leave the estate more vulnerable.
By stepping aside during the appointment, you are actually helping to safeguard your loved one’s wishes and protecting the family from unnecessary stress down the track.
Final Thoughts
It’s natural to want to support your parent, partner or friend through every step of estate planning—especially when the process feels overwhelming or emotional. But giving them that one-on-one time with their solicitor is not exclusion.
It’s empowerment.
That privacy ensures their Will reflects their true intentions clearly—and helps preserve family harmony long after the paperwork is signed.
If you or your loved ones have any questions about estate planning or want peace of mind that your Will reflects your true intentions, contact our team at Adelta Legal.
Por Qué los Abogados Hablan a Solas con los Clientes Durante las Citas para Testamentos
No es algo personal—es legal
Si alguna vez has acompañado a un ser querido a una cita para redactar su testamento, puede que te hayas sorprendido (o incluso sentido un poco excluido) cuando el abogado te pidió amablemente que salieras de la sala. Después de todo, solo estás allí para apoyar, ¿verdad?
Tranquilo, esta solicitud no se trata de excluirte. Se trata de proteger a tu ser querido y asegurar que sus deseos se expresen de forma clara e independiente. Aquí te explicamos por qué ese momento privado es más importante de lo que parece.
Qué Sucede Realmente en una Cita para Testamentos
Una cita para redactar un testamento es mucho más que llenar formularios. Es un proceso legal en el que el abogado debe confirmar quién es su cliente y que está dando instrucciones de manera libre e independiente.
Aunque ayudes regularmente a tu ser querido con decisiones cotidianas, la planificación de sucesión es diferente. Requiere orientación confidencial y sin filtros de la persona que hace el testamento.
Por Qué las Instrucciones Deben Tomarse en Privado
Los abogados están sujetos a estrictas normas profesionales para evitar conflictos de interés e influencias indebidas. Incluso sin intención, tu presencia podría complicar las cosas. Por ejemplo:
Incluso presiones o expectativas sutiles, reales o percibidas, pueden generar riesgos legales. Para proteger el testamento de futuras impugnaciones, el abogado debe tomar instrucciones de forma directa y privada. Esto garantiza que las decisiones no estén influenciadas ni dirigidas por terceros.
Evaluación de la Capacidad Mental a Puerta Cerrada
Otra parte clave de la preparación del testamento es confirmar que la persona tiene la capacidad mental para dar instrucciones. El abogado debe estar seguro de que tu ser querido comprende:
Esta evaluación funciona mejor sin otras personas presentes. Algunos se sienten más libres para hablar con claridad cuando están solos, sin preocuparse por cómo reaccionará la familia.
Preguntas Frecuentes de los Familiares
Los abogados suelen escuchar inquietudes como:
Son preguntas genuinas y llenas de cariño. Pero el mejor apoyo que puedes ofrecer es permitir que tu ser querido se exprese de forma independiente. Esa autonomía fortalece el testamento y lo protege contra futuras acusaciones de presión o manipulación.
Protegiendo a la Familia de Conflictos Futuros
Un testamento bien redactado, basado en instrucciones independientes, tiene mucha más fuerza legal si se impugna. Si alguien se siente excluido o duda de que el testamento refleje verdaderamente los deseos del testador, puede impugnarlo. La falta de instrucciones privadas puede dejar la sucesión más vulnerable.
Al brindarles un momento a solas durante la cita, en realidad estás ayudando a proteger los deseos de tu ser querido y a evitar tensiones familiares innecesarias en el futuro.
Reflexión Final
Es natural querer apoyar a tu padre, pareja o amigo en cada paso de la planificación de sucesión, especialmente cuando el proceso se siente abrumador o emocional. Pero darles ese tiempo a solas con su abogado no es excluirlos.
Es empoderarlos.
Esa privacidad garantiza que el testamento refleje claramente sus verdaderas intenciones, y ayuda a preservar la armonía familiar mucho después de que se firme el documento.
Si tú o tus seres queridos tienen preguntas sobre la planificación de sucesión o desean la tranquilidad de que su testamento refleje sus verdaderos deseos, contacta a nuestro equipo en Adelta Legal.
Katherine Da Cunha is an experienced Estate Planning lawyer in our Wills and Estate Planning team, she is fluent in Spanish. This article was written and translated by Katherine.
Solicitor
e: kdacunha@adelta.com.au
p: 8415 5014
Solicitor
BA., LL.B., GDLP
Katherine is originally from Sydney where she completed a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice in 2008. Katherine was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2009 and was subsequently admitted to the Supreme Court of South Australia in 2020 and the High Court of South Australia in 2022.
Katherine has a keen interest in wills and estates and can assist clients with the preparation of Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney and Advance Care Directives. Katherine is dedicated to providing her clients with peace of mind knowing that their families and assets are protected. Katherine can also assist executors and family members who have lost a loved one in managing and distributing an estate in an empathetic and efficient manner.
Coming from an Argentinian/Italian background, Katherine speaks fluent Spanish.
Outside of Adelta Legal, Katherine enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Contact Katherine Da Cunha
