Where members of the extended family were alive they might have thought the proceeds of an estate would automatically come to them. It is a common and potentially costly misunderstanding.

Yesterday in William Street and later in a court house seminar as part of Good Will Week, officers of the Public Trustee explained the pitfalls which await the relatives of people who put off making wills until it is too late.

Sydney branch manager of the Public Trustee Peter Strazdinis said one could be that cousins miss out.

"If there are no relatives closer than cousins, or we are unable to locate the beneficiaries within six years, the estate is paid to the State Government."

Full story in the Western Advocate.