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Estate planning is easier to approach when you understand the basics. These resources are written for South Australians who want clear, plain-language information before they pick up the phone, or simply want to understand more about how the law applies to their situation.
They are not a substitute for legal advice. Every person’s circumstances are different, and the right outcome for you depends on details that no article or guide can anticipate. What these resources can do is give you a foundation, so that when you do speak with our team, you arrive informed and ready.
Articles
Our team has published 190 articles covering estate planning, wills, probate, inheritance claims, powers of attorney, superannuation, and succession law in South Australia. They range from straightforward explanations of common questions to detailed discussions of specific legal scenarios.
Browse by topic or search for the question that is on your mind. If you cannot find what you are looking for, or if reading has raised more questions than it has answered, our team is ready to talk.
Information sheets
Our team has produced six plain-language information sheets covering the areas of estate planning that matter most. Each one is written to be read by a person, not a lawyer.
Estate Planning: The Will
What a Will covers, who can make one, what happens without one, and when to review.
Enduring Power of Attorney (Financial)
Why every adult needs one, who you can appoint, and what happens if you do not have one in place.
Advance Care Directives
How to put your chosen people in control of your medical and personal care decisions if you lose capacity.
Superannuation & Death Benefits
Why your Will does not cover your superannuation, and how to make sure your largest asset goes where you intend.
Understanding Testamentary Trust Wills
How a testamentary trust Will can protect an inheritance from divorce, bankruptcy, and unnecessary tax.
Executors’ Duties in a Deceased Estate
What being named as an executor actually requires, and where the obligations and risks lie.
Revenue SA & Land Tax Update – Important Information
Welden & Coluccio Lawyers recently wrote about the letter received by many South Australians from Revenue SA indicating that certain information and declarations as to land holdings was required to be to completed in early June via its online portal. Many of our clients have indicated to us that; They have not yet received any […]
NEW REVENUE SA & LAND TAX LETTER – IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Welden & Coluccio Lawyers have previously written about, and personally presented (pre pandemic of course) several seminars for the public concerning the new State Government changes to Land Tax. Those changes caused a huge stir amongst landowners, small time investors, large operators, Accountants and Lawyers when news broke back in late 2019. It seems however […]
ACT NOW TO DEFUSE THE LAND TAX TIME BOMB
If you own real estate in South Australia, you need to be worried. Very worried. Especially if you’re an investor with more than one property. Under sweeping reforms by the Marshall Liberal Government, land tax in South Australia is being turned upside-down. In the past, land tax was pretty simple; If you owned property in […]
HOW TO MINIMIZE YOUR LEGAL FEES IN A FAMILY LAW DISPUTE
There is another push from Australia’s politicians to reform the family law system. As a family law solicitor with more than 15 years’ experience, how can you disagree with proposals to create a system that minimizes stress, trauma, costs and puts a focus on out-of-court settlement? Trouble is, the family law system attempts to do […]
CAN YOU SAFELY STORE YOUR WILL AT HOME?
I’ve heard some stories in my time. Perhaps the worst was an old bloke who didn’t trust the banks. You can’t blame him for that, but this chap kept his savings in a broken radio he’d hollowed-out and left in the shed to look like junk. It was a pretty good hiding place – so […]
WANT TO BE INSTA-FAMOUS? #LAWYER-UP
Being a social media influencer is just travel, free clothes and cocktails, yeah? That might be the dream, but here’s some #nofilter advice every aspiring influencer should consider on their way to insta-fame and fortune. And yes, you’re going to need a lawyer. Sounds boring but keep reading (there’s some great tips here for […]
RUBBERY FIGURES OR SOLID ESTATE PLANNING – HAWKEY’S WILL SEEMS HARD TO SWALLOW
The late Prime Minister Bob Hawke is best remembered for two quotes. The first, barked to reporters over popping champagne corks at the America’s Cup, is perhaps his most treasured: “Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum.” The second, rehearsed and delivered with poise and measure, haunted him: “by […]
TAKING THE MYSTERY OUT OF YOUR MORTGAGE
For many of us, buying and selling our first property can be confusing. Why all the strings attached? Why the need for conveyancers and solicitors? Can’t I just sign on the dotted line and transfer the money? All this talk of “encumbrances”, “caveats” and “discharges”. What does it all mean? Understanding a mortgage is […]
ISRAEL FOLAU’S “GO FUND ME” – WHAT’S $3 MILLION REALLY BUY?
There’s an old saying; the only winners in a messy trial are the lawyers. It’s not strictly true. Litigants often have fantastic wins in the courts, righting wrongs thanks to the hard work of dedicated lawyers. But we need to acknowledge that trials can be very expensive. As a rule most decent lawyers will do […]
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