There are many reasons why a Will might be, or seem to be unfair, including: The Will of the deceased person (Testator) may be old and was not updated to take account of changing personal or financial circumstances. For example, the Testator may have divorced and not... Read More
A Self-Managed Superannuation Fund (SMSF) is a type of superannuation structure that allows members to control and manage their own funds. Unlike other superannuation funds, members have autonomy over the choice of investments they can make, subject to the relevant... Read More
A valid Will determines how your estate is dealt with after you die. Your Will can appoint an appropriate family member or trusted friend to administer your estate (your Executor), nominate guardians for young children, determine who will receive your assets and give... Read More
It is well known that a Will is a legal document which sets out how a person wants their assets to be distributed once they die. If you are over the age of 18 you can make a Will – provided you have capacity. In general terms a person will have the necessary... Read More
An executor is a person who will carry out the instructions in your Will once you have passed away. In general, you can appoint any person as executor of your Will, this includes solicitors. It is not uncommon for a solicitor to be appointed executor of a Will. The... Read More
Testamentary trusts can be very effective estate planning tools to assist in providing for spouses, children and grandchildren, and are becoming increasingly popular as more people become aware of their advantages. A Testamentary Trust is any trust established under a... Read More
Most people over 18 years of age should consider having a Power of Attorney in place. A Power of Attorney is a legal document made by a person (known as the principal) that authorises one or more others, on behalf of the principal, to do anything the principal can... Read More
When making estate plans, many people under-estimate the importance of appointing an enduring guardian. An enduring guardian can make lifestyle, health and medical decisions on your behalf if you lack the capacity to make those decisions yourself. A guardian acts as a... Read More
An estate plan involves more than signing a Will and leaving it in a safe place. An effective estate plan requires consideration of several matters and ongoing review to ensure it reflects your testamentary wishes and covers unexpected events. In this article we look... Read More
In Australia 1 in 5 families are a blended family or step-family. This number is expected to rise as the divorce rate increases and people take on new relationships. More than half of parents who separate, do re-partner but there is a higher break down rate in the... Read More
