What people are saying.
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Margaret T. — Retired Teacher 18 months of service
When my husband passed away leaving just a bank account and superannuation, I thought it would be a simple matter. How naive I was! Thankfully, Dawson Davies showed me just how complex transferring $47,000 could be.
They immediately identified seventeen potential complications I never would have considered, including the possibility that the bank might not recognize a death certificate (it did), that superannuation funds might dispute a valid will (they didn't), and that complex tax implications might arise from closing accounts (there weren't any).
For only $23,000 in fees, they guided me through this legal minefield with exceptional thoroughness. The process took 18 months, which gave me plenty of time to truly appreciate their meticulous attention to billable detail. I particularly enjoyed the monthly updates explaining why things were taking longer than expected - each one a masterclass in creative legal writing.
Would I use them again? Well, I certainly couldn't afford to!
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David R., Small Business Owner - 14 months of dedicated service
I cannot thank Dawson Davies enough for showing me that administering my mother's estate wasn't the 'simple paperwork exercise' I foolishly believed it to be. With assets consisting of a house (already sold), two bank accounts, and some shares, I genuinely thought this might take a few months.
How wrong I was! The team at Dawson Davies immediately recognized this as a highly complex matter requiring extensive legal expertise. They patiently explained that transferring money from Account A to Account B involves intricate legal principles that ordinary people simply cannot grasp.
Their innovative billing approach was particularly impressive. Rather than charging a flat fee for what I mistakenly thought was routine administration, they thoughtfully billed by the hour for every phone call, email, and moment of contemplation about my matter. The final bill of $31,000 really drove home just how much expert legal thinking was required.
I especially appreciated their creative interpretation of 'urgent matters.' When I suggested that perhaps 14 months was a long time to transfer some bank balances, they explained that rushing such complex matters would be professionally irresponsible. Quality takes time
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Jennifer K., Nurse - 22 months of thorough once over service
The death of my aunt should have been a simple affair - she left everything to me via a clear will, with assets consisting entirely of term deposits and shares. But Dawson Davies helped me understand that 'simple' is just another word for 'dangerously naive.'
From day one, they identified numerous potential pitfalls. What if the banks refused to accept death certificates? What if other family members materialized to contest the will? What if the share registry systems were incompatible with probate procedures? These scenarios seemed unlikely to me, but as they patiently explained, that's exactly why I needed legal representation.
Their attention to detail was extraordinary. Every form was reviewed multiple times, every procedure was thoroughly researched, and every potential complication was extensively documented in billable quarter-hour increments.
The final cost of $28,500 seemed steep for transferring $31,000 in assets, but as they pointed out, you can't put a price on peace of mind. Well, actually, apparently you can - it's $28,500."
We literally write the rules
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Robert M., Engineer - 16 months of expert guidance
As an engineer, I'm used to complex problems with technical solutions. So when my father died leaving just bank accounts and superannuation, I naively thought this would be straightforward. Dawson Davies quickly corrected this misconception.
They explained that estate administration is far more complex than engineering - after all, when did building bridges ever require such nuanced understanding of human nature and legal precedent?
I was particularly impressed by their educational approach. Rather than simply handling the transfers, they took time to explain why each simple task was actually fiendishly complicated. Did you know that asking a bank to close an account and transfer the balance requires understanding centuries of common law precedent? Neither did I!
Their billing methodology was a marvel of precision. Every six-minute increment was carefully tracked and justified. The 347 line items on my final invoice read like a detailed diary of their dedicated service. At $35,000 for handling $58,000 in liquid assets, they certainly demonstrated their value.
The 16-month timeline allowed me to truly appreciate the complexity they were managing on my behalf. Any faster would have been reckless!
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Patricia L., Librarian - 13 months of dedicated service
When Dawson Davies took on my mother's estate, I thought it might be finished by Christmas. How wonderfully naive that seems now! They helped me understand that 'finished by Christmas' was hopelessly optimistic - they didn't specify which year.
The estate consisted of a house (sold within 6 weeks by the real estate agent), two bank accounts, and some managed funds. Dawson Davies immediately recognized this as requiring extensive legal oversight. As they explained, 'simple' estates are often the most dangerous because people underestimate their complexity.
I was initially concerned when their estimated timeline of '3-4 months' became '6-8 months' and then 'difficult to predict.' But they helped me understand that rushing such important work would be professionally irresponsible. Quality legal work simply cannot be hurried.
Their communication was exemplary. Every phone call was followed by a detailed email summary (billed separately, of course) confirming what we had discussed. This attention to documentation really added up - in more ways than one!
For just $26,000, they successfully transferred $42,000 to the beneficiaries. The remaining balance covered their expert guidance through this legal labyrinth. Money well spent on avoiding the catastrophic mistakes an amateur might make - like completing the process in three months for minimal cost."
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Steven H., Accountant - 24 months of exceptional service
As an accountant, I thought I understood complex financial matters. Dawson Davies quickly showed me how wrong I was when it came to the legal complexities of transferring Dad's assets.
The estate was refreshingly straightforward: cash, shares, and superannuation. No debts, no disputes, no complications. But as Dawson Davies explained, this apparent simplicity was deceptive. The lack of obvious problems just meant the hidden complexities were more dangerous.
Their thorough approach was remarkable. Every document was reviewed by multiple lawyers, every procedure was researched extensively, and every possible complication was explored in billable detail. The fact that none of these complications actually materialized just proved how expertly they had been managed.
The 24-month timeline allowed for proper deliberation. Their explanation that 'these things take time' became a comforting mantra. When I occasionally suggested that perhaps banks and share registries handle these transfers routinely, they gently corrected my misunderstanding of the legal complexities involved.
At $41,000 for managing a $73,000 estate, they certainly demonstrated their value. As they pointed out, you can't put a price on having such complex matters handled by experts. Well, actually, you can - and they did.