Estate planning is the process of organising your financial and legal affairs to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes if you become incapacitated or pass away. A comprehensive estate plan can help protect your family, minimise tax implications, reduce the risk of disputes and provide peace of mind that your legacy will be managed as intended.
Your estate plan should be reviewed whenever major life events occur, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of children or grandchildren, purchasing or selling significant assets, starting a business or changes to legislation. Even without major changes, reviewing your estate plan every three to five years is considered good practice.
While a Will is an essential part of an estate plan, it is not always enough. Estate planning may also involve powers of attorney, superannuation nominations, trusts, business succession planning and strategies to minimise tax and protect assets. A comprehensive estate plan ensures all aspects of your financial affairs work together.