“For most people, the way in which their valuably acquired assets are directed and spent is pretty important. You don’t have to be a multimillionaire. In fact, with a modest income and a modest collection of assets, in relative terms it may be even more important to make sure that they are ultimately distributed exactly as intended. We keep up to date with all the latest developments and we take this work very seriously.”
- Michael O’Dea, Special Counsel
Estate planning is an area of law where there is absolutely no substitute for careful analysis and detailed advice. We help people from all walks of life to avoid the pitfalls associated with using rudimentary templates to create a Will and an estate plan.
By getting advice from a lawyer who specialises in estate planning, you can ensure that you do not inadvertently create a situation of unfairness or uncertainty in the distribution of your estate. Importantly, our lawyers can map out your personal circumstances against the matrix of tax, trust and social security laws to make sure that you and your descendants avoid paying excessive taxes and maximise your access to social services.
All of our Wills and estates work begins with a thorough analysis of your personal situation. We know that to create a proper strategy, we need to understand the bigger picture. You may need to give careful consideration to the choice of an executor and address the question of appointment of a legal guardian.
If some of your future beneficiaries are dependent on you while others are not, your estate plan needs to be structured to take different tax rates into account. You may decide to finance the education of your grandchildren using trust structures to reduce the amount of tax to be paid. These and many other decisions cannot be taken lightly.
As well as the initial drafting of a Will and creation of an estate plan, we can revise your existing Will when your circumstances change and your current arrangements need to acquire an additional layer of complexity. If necessary, we can also assist with estate litigation under the Succession Act.