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Estate Planning

Make sure what you've built ends up where you want it

You’ve worked hard to build a good life for yourself and the people you love. Estate planning is how you make sure that, whatever happens, the people and causes that matter to you are taken care of – and that your wishes are followed without added stress or confusion for those you leave behind.

 

It’s not a comfortable topic. But getting it sorted is one of the most generous things you can do for your family.

 

What is estate planning?

 

Estate planning is the process of making clear, legally sound arrangements for what happens to your assets – and to the people who depend on you – if you pass away or lose the capacity to make decisions for yourself.

 

A good estate plan covers more than just a will. It includes who can act on your behalf if you’re incapacitated, how your superannuation is handled, how to minimise the tax burden on your beneficiaries, and how to protect your family’s inheritance from circumstances you can’t predict.

 

Without a plan in place, these decisions can be left to state laws or court rulings that may not reflect what you would have wanted.

Client Stories

What a thorough estate plan includes

We work with you – and alongside your solicitor – to make sure every element is in order. This includes:

  • A legally binding will that clearly reflects your wishes
  • An Enduring Power of Attorney so someone you trust can manage your affairs if you’re unable to
  • Guardianship arrangements for any children who depend on you
  • Superannuation estate planning – making sure your super and any life insurance held within it goes where you intend
  • Testamentary trusts, where appropriate, to protect beneficiaries and manage tax
  • Strategies to minimise the tax on what you leave behind
  • Protecting your family’s inheritance from potential family law disputes or other unforeseen circumstances
  • Reviewing how your personal insurance fits into your broader estate plan

We also make sure your plan stays current – because life changes, and your estate plan should change with it.

Superannuation and estate planning

This is one of the most important and most overlooked areas of estate planning. Your superannuation doesn’t automatically form part of your estate – which means it won’t necessarily be distributed according to your will. For many people, super is their largest financial asset, and if life insurance is held inside super, that balance can be significant.

Getting your superannuation estate planning right means making sure your death benefit nominations are current, your tax position is considered, and your wishes are actually carried out.

The peace of mind that comes with a plan

A clear estate plan means your family won’t be left guessing, dealing with disputes, or facing an unnecessary tax burden at an already difficult time. It means your children are provided for, your assets go where you intend, and the people you love are looked after.

We want you to enjoy today, knowing that tomorrow is all in order.

Estate Planning FAQs

A solicitor prepares your legal documents – your will and power of attorney. A financial adviser makes sure your broader financial picture, including your super, insurance and investment assets, is structured to support your estate planning goals. The two work hand in hand, and we’re happy to work alongside your existing solicitor or refer you to one we trust.

Not automatically. Super sits outside your estate, so it’s governed by separate rules. Making sure your beneficiary nominations are current and correctly structured is a critical part of estate planning that’s often overlooked.

A testamentary trust is a trust established through your will that comes into effect after your death. It can offer tax advantages for beneficiaries and help protect an inheritance from family law claims or other risks.

It’s a legal document that appoints someone to manage your financial and legal affairs if you lose the capacity to do so yourself. It’s an essential part of planning for the unexpected.

Any significant life change – marriage, divorce, having children, receiving an inheritance, starting a business – is a good trigger to review your plan. We recommend revisiting it regularly to make sure it still reflects your situation and wishes.

Book a 15 minute chat

Got a question or just want to know more? We like to make things easy,
so book a phone chat with our Financial Advisers, at a time that suits you.

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