Start here
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.
CHANGES TO LOW COST LEGAL WILL SERVICE COULD IMPACT YOU
The South Australian Government has announced plans to revamp the Public Trustee’s “no-upfront cost” legal Will service, a move that could slash access to legal Wills for thousands of South Australians. Under plans reported in InDaily, the Public Trustee’s deferred cost Will service would be limited to concession card holders – about half their current […]
$275M IN LOST CRYPTOCURRENCY HIGHLIGHTS DANGER IN DIGITAL ASSETS
We’ve all heard the stories of the vast riches and jaw-dropping losses to be had in cryptocurrency. The bitcoin bubble of 2018 saw fortunes built and decimated in the blink of an eye. And who could forget the British man left begging his local council to go digging through the local rubbish tip after he […]
STAY IN CHARGE OF YOUR MONEY WITH A SIMPLE LEGAL DOCUMENT
Imagine sitting on a fortune and not being allowed to spend it because the government doesn’t trust you to make financial decisions on your own, even though your wife is healthy and your home falling down around you. That’s the reality for one Queensland couple who hit the news this week, but it’s a situation […]
DON’T RUSH TO BOOST SUPER ON GOVERNMENT SCARE TACTICS
The government is attacking your financial safety net. There’s no point sugar coating it, and now is the time for all Australians to start taking notice of what’s at stake through planned shake-ups of the superannuation sector. At the heart of the issue is compulsory life insurance. For many Australians (especially young, casual workers) the […]
MAKING A COSTLY MISTAKE? THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT
We live in an age of unrivaled convenience. If I wanted, with my phone, I could run my life without getting out of bed. I can work, pay the bills, shop for groceries, order dinner, hire a gardener, cleaner and a dog walker … the list is endless. The trouble is, that convenience costs […]
OUR NEW BANK VAULT. SAFE AS HOUSES
In August this year, we were lucky enough to move into our new, purpose-built offices at 179 Grange Road, Findon. What made Findon such an attractive proposition? Aside from our desire to grow the business in Jason’s home neighbourhood, our new building began life as a branch of the Commonwealth Bank and still houses […]
IS A PRE-NUP ENOUGH? … NUP.
When a relationship gets serious we often think the most difficult decisions will be whose pictures will go on the walls (spoiler – your KISS posters are going in the shed). It might not be the most romantic idea, but when getting serious about a relationship one of the most important conversations you can have […]
EARLY CHRISTMAS DEADLINE FOR SEPARATED PARENTS
To some, seeing Christmas decorations in the shops in October makes no sense … I completely agree. However, as a divorce lawyer it does serve as a reminder to advise clients to think ahead to Christmas day, and what plans will need to be made to ensure that the children are able to spend the […]
Franchising. The risks and rewards.
Starting out in business is never straightforward. Whether you simply dream of being your own boss, want to increase your earning power or you’re facing a change in circumstances, like a redundancy, knowing HOW to get started is often the biggest hurdle. This is what can make buying a franchise so appealing. Much of the […]
Ready to talk
Reading is a good start. A conversation is better. Our team will give you a clear picture of your own situation, not a general answer.
Book a conversation with our team. No obligation. No pressure. Just a clear picture of where you stand and what needs to change.