A $24 million estate. A sudden boating tragedy. A quiet suburban home.
Three stories. One lesson: Homemade wills can destroy everything you leave behind.
Sydney artist Mimi Jaksic Berger trusted that a few documents — some unsigned, others hastily patched together with sticky tape — would be enough to carry out her wishes. They weren’t.
When she passed, chaos followed. Family members fought bitterly over her fortune. Some claimed her will wasn’t valid at all — a fight that nearly tore her $24 million legacy apart. Only after a brutal court battle was her true intention honored. But the cost? Years of stress, shattered relationships, and enormous legal fees.
Entrepreneur Andrew Findlay’s family faced similar heartbreak. After a freak wave ended his life on a fishing trip, his unsigned 2019 will was thrust into court. He had intended to leave his entire estate to his children — cutting out his ex-partner. But because the will was never properly executed, his family endured a painful legal war. Only after a grueling appeal did the judges confirm his children’s rights — but not without heavy emotional and financial tolls.
In another case, a poorly written homemade will left behind by Raveica Negrean created so much confusion that her beneficiaries spent months battling over simple interpretations. Errors, inconsistencies, and vague language slashed the estate’s value and forced everyone into expensive, exhausting court proceedings.
A homemade will doesn’t just risk your money — it risks your family’s future.
“Homemade wills rarely account for legal nuances,” warns Andrew Meiliunas of Nevett Ford Lawyers.
“Without a proper will, your estate could be eaten by legal battles, leaving your loved ones with nothing but heartbreak.”
Don’t gamble with your legacy.
Protect your family. Protect your wishes.
Get your estate planning done today — by a professional who can make sure your voice is heard, even after you’re gone. Call at (480) 719-7333 to schedule a consultation.
A simple meeting now could save your family from years of pain later.
Your future — and theirs — deserves it.