To streamline electronic filing in wills and estates matters in Queensland, practitioners are requested to take particular care when preparing scanned copies of original wills and codicils, noting that the scanned copy will be attached to the grant of probate (or letters of administration with the will) ultimately issued by the registry.
To ensure the completeness and integrity of the scanned copy, it is recommended that practitioners prepare scanned copies of original wills and codicils before the originals are bound.
The Supreme Court of Queensland registry advises that when scanning the original will/codicil, practitioners should:
- Scan at 100 per cent scale for A4 wills, and at 71 per cent scale to reduce foolscap will kits to A4 size.
- Scan in portrait format, not landscape format.
- Accurately align the page/s of the original will or codicil onto the demarcated lines on the scanner, ensuring that no other content appears on the scanned copy other than the page being scanned.
- Ensure no streaks, lines, warping, overexposure or underexposure appear on the scanned copy lodged.
Before lodging the scanned copy of the will or codicil through the Queensland Courts’ Online Services Portal, practitioners should double check that:
- All clause numbering, signatures, dates and wording are clearly visible.
- All pages of the document have been scanned, with no duplication of pages.
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