- Estate Planning involves organising your affairs so that your wishes are carried out after your death. Some people only need a simple will to achieve this. Most people, however, either need or could benefit from a comprehensive estate plan drafted by an estate planning lawyer, preferably one with expert qualifications, such as membership of the STEP.
- You may require comprehensive estate planning services if —
- you have substantial assets;
- the personal circumstances of your beneficiaries are complex (for example, you have beneficiaries with special needs – see this blog post on point);
- you get divorced – a perfect time for estate planning (see, for instance, this blog post on point); you are about to enter a new relationship, particularly one where one or both of you brings assets and children to the relationship;
- you are involved in complex business structures such as companies, self-managed superannuation funds, or family trusts;
- your tax affairs are complex and you wish to minimise the tax liability of your estate.