When a parent dies and leaves everything to their spouse, many children choose not to contest the Will. Out of respect for their parent’s wishes, the grief involved, and the complexities of family life, they allow their step-parent to inherit everything.  But years...

You may be acting as the executor of a deceased estate or are otherwise involved as a beneficiary. Amongst the assets of the estate is real property and someone has told you: “Now’s the perfect time to sell!”  But there’s a problem. Probate hasn’t been granted yet, and you’re not sure what you can and can’t do. 

As a professional adviser, you may have been instructed to manage personal wealth matters for clients in a way that benefits not only your client but also their families.  Your client, like Mary, may have routinely provided regular financial support to their family – adult children, grandchildren, spouses, or even elderly parents. This support can be informal but deeply entrenched, often continuing for years. 

But what happens when your client loses capacity, and their Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) takes effect? 

If you’ve made a Will or you’re responsible for administering someone else’s estate, you might be concerned about the possibility of a challenge. Will a disgruntled family member make a claim? Could it result in lengthy court proceedings or large legal bills?

Learn about Trust Succession and its crucial role in managing family wealth. Ensure your assets are properly protected and passed on.

Does this sound like you? You run a successful family-owned business through a private company. Over the years, your company has accumulated profits that could help fund personal investments or assist family members. Like many SME owners, you see no harm in accessing these profits informally. After all, it’s your business, right? 

When you’re facing mounting debts, overdue tax, or pressure from creditors, it’s easy to feel like the walls are closing in. For many small business owners, the fear of losing everything—your business, your reputation, your ability to keep trading—is paralysing. 

However, you may have more options than you realise. 

Get insights into estate administration, including legal obligations for executors in managing debts after someone passes away.

Understand the Super Proceeds Trust and how it ensures superannuation death benefits are distributed tax-efficiently.

Discover key aspects of superannuation and how to ensure your Binding Death Benefit Nomination is valid and effective.

If you’re a farmer who buys, sells, or borrows against livestock, machinery, or crops, you need to know about the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR). Whether you’re selling livestock on account, leasing equipment, or buying second-hand machinery, the PPSR is a crucial tool to protect your rights — and to avoid nasty surprises down the track. 

Discover the implications of double gifting in Wills. Learn how intentional clarity can avoid inheritance conflicts.

​​Subdividing your land is a great way to release money for other projects as the prices of Australian real estate continue to climb. However, the tax consequences of subdivision and development are complicated. Getting the details wrong could cost you up to 100% more tax than you would otherwise be required to pay.​  

“With great power comes great responsibility”- Uncle Ben to Spiderman Individuals, families and organisations wishing to engage in philanthropy often choose to do this through a Private Ancillary Fund (PAF) .  We think this is a great idea, but as you might expect,...

Who you appoint as the executors of your Will is an important decision. After all, these are the people responsible for carrying out your wishes after you pass away. However, you may wonder whether your executors should be paid or receive a gift in recognition of their efforts in administering your estate.