General Estate Planning

General Estate Planning

Secure your legacy. Protect your loved ones. Optimise your future.

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What is Estate Planning?

Estate planning goes far beyond simply drafting a Will. It is a comprehensive legal and financial strategy designed to manage your assets during your lifetime and ensure they are distributed according to your wishes after death, in the most tax-effective and secure way possible.

Unlike a basic Will, true estate planning also prepares for loss of capacity, safeguards beneficiaries, considers blended families and business interests, and ensures compliance with complex tax laws, superannuation rules, and trust structures.

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What’s the Difference Between a Will and Estate Planning?

Wills

• A legal document specifying who receives your assets after death
• Suitable for simpler estate.

Estate Planning

• A holistic strategy addressing asset distribution, business transition, tax efficiency, and asset protection
• Essential for complex estates, business owners, farmers/farming business or family structures involving trusts or blended families
• Considers "who, how, and when" including minimising risks and ensuring smooth transitions

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Why You Need a Comprehensive Estate Plan

Failure to plan appropriately can leave your estate exposed to legal disputes, financial loss, and unintended consequences, especially in the context of blended families, vulnerable beneficiaries, or complex asset portfolios.

At Wakefield Lawyers, we offer high-end estate planning services tailored for individuals, families, farmers and business owners who require more than just a simple Will.

Our services for comprehensive estate planning include:

• Drafting a Will that reflects your wishes
• Considering whether you should have a Testamentary Trust Will, rather than a standard will
• If you have control or ownership of any companies, checking the ASIC record, its Constitution, and making any changes or accurately reflecting in your Will what your wishes are. If other individuals own shares, discussing the benefits of a Shareholders Agreement
• If you have a Company, we can prepare a Corporate Power of Attorney if needed.
• If you have a Family Trust, or Unit Trust, checking the Trust Deed to advise who would be the Appointor or Guardian, after your death. If that does not align with your intentions, we can prepare a Variation to the Trust Deed
• Superannuation – checking that you have an appropriate binding nomination in place. If you have a Self-Managed Superannuation Fund, we can check the Deed, and prepare the binding nomination for you in accordance with the requirements of your Deed, including appropriate Company Minutes if you have a corporate trustee.
• Enduring Power of Attorney
• Medical Treatment Decision Maker

Our legal team collaborates with your accountant and/or financial planner, to ensure your estate plan is fully integrated across legal and financial domains.

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Why Choose Wakefield Lawyers?

• Specialist Expertise in Succession Law
• Discreet, Personalised Service
• Strategic, Forward-Thinking Advice
• Collaboration with Tax and Financial Experts
• Proven Experience with Complex Estates and High Net-Worth Clients

Whether you're planning for future generations, navigating a blended family dynamic, or safeguarding a business legacy — Wakefield Lawyers provides the peace of mind that comes from knowing your affairs are in order.

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If you have high net worth, and want to protect your beneficiaries inheritance, and provide them with taxation flexibility, then a Testamentary Trust Will might be suitable for you.