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...
Superannuation in Australia is governed by the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth) (SIS Act) and Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth) (ITA Act). Superannuation is a tax-effective way to save for your future. The SIS Act provides for the formation of a...
There are various ‘Will Kits’ available on-line – most are cheap or ‘free’ and all you need to do is download them and fill in the blanks. Many websites boast that you can prepare your Will ‘without spending hundreds of dollars on legal fees’. Simple, right? Not...
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...
The basic function of a trust is to separate control and ownership. The result of using a trust is that assets are protected, and profits are distributed in the most tax-effective way. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ type of trust. The trust you use...
Sibling rivalry – it’s a classic, rich plot line for countless books and movies, and a dynamic in millions of ordinary families around the globe. When parents die, sometimes that rivalry fades and other times, it’s the moment that reignites a tension that has simmered...
