Wills & Estate Planning Perth
Our experienced solicitors can provide legal advice and representation in the following areas:
- Guardianship and Administration matters advice and representation for trustees
- Fixed cost, on-the-spot wills
- Preparation of simple and complex wills
- Testamentary Trust wills
- Enduring Powers of Attorney
- Enduring Powers of Guardianship
- Complex Estate Planning
Wills:
We prepare offer “on the spot” Will drafting and amendments, which in most cases concludes with you signing a legally valid Will at your first interview. Some points for you to consider are:
- Who you choose to be your Executor/Executrix and Trustee
- Who you choose to be your beneficiaries (and their attainable age)
- How you own the assets in your Estate will determine whether they will or will not pass under your Will.
Please note that if you are in business or self-employed, the Will may not control your business assets. For Family Trusts, Family Companies and partnerships, detailed consideration of your business ownership as part of your estate plan is appropriate. Please contact our offices for more information on how we can assist.
Enduring Power of Attorney:
An Enduring Power of Attorney is a legal document that enables the appointment of a trusted person (or two people) to make financial and property decisions on your behalf. Essentially, the Attorney has the Power to ‘step in the shoes’ of the person giving the Power of Attorney. For example, EPA’s are very helpful for partners or family members who work away as it allows an additional person to do financial matters on their behalf.
An Enduring Power of Attorney can also come into effect only in the event you have lost your capacity to make financial decisions. Therefore, it can provide peace of mind to clients for the future.
Enduring Power of Guardianship:
An Enduring Power of Guardianship is a legal document (similar to the Enduring Power of Attorney) that enables the appointment of a trusted person (or people) to make lifestyle and medical and other treatment decisions on your behalf.
An Enduring Power of Guardianship can only commence after you have lost your capacity to make your own personal decisions. Therefore it can provide peace of mind to clients for the future.
Testamentary Trust Wills:
A Testamentary Trust Will is a Trust established under a Will. As a general rule, they are best suited to larger Estate bequests. The Trust does not come into effect until after the death of the person making the Will.
Incorporating a Testamentary Trust within your Will can offer valuable advantages over a “simple Will” by providing significant flexibility along with asset protection and potentially substantial tax minimisation benefits for those who benefit from your Estate. Note that this tax effectiveness does not mean a loss of control, and the Trustee has the discretion to “income split” and/or distribute capital and income between your nominated beneficiaries.
If you would like further information on Testamentary Trust Wills, please contact our offices to book an appointment.
