Estate planning lawyers structure wills, testamentary trusts and succession for families and businesses.
firms
674
regions
16
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For families with significant assets, blended families or business interests, an estate plan goes beyond a simple will. Testamentary trusts can offer tax benefits and asset protection for beneficiaries. Planning also covers super, insurance, family trusts and company control.
Why estate planning & testamentary trusts matters
Good estate planning protects beneficiaries, reduces tax and keeps family businesses and farms running through a transition.
The Australian context
Testamentary trusts can allow income to be distributed to minors at adult tax rates under Australian tax law. Planning also covers family trusts, company control and binding super nominations, which pass outside the will.
Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts lawyers near you
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Greensborough, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Burns & Tinney Lawyers provides legal services in Greensborough, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Rye, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
McCarthy Partners Pty provides legal services in Rye, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Partner & Family Visas and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 morePartner & Family Visas · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Lennox Head, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Salt & Stone Lawyers provides legal services in Lennox Head, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
South Bunbury, WA · South West
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
South West Community Legal Centre provides legal services in South Bunbury, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Launceston, TAS · Launceston & North
★★★★★★★★★★3.5(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
The Public Trustee provides legal services in Launceston, TAS. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Jannali, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Harriss Jones Lawyers provides legal services in Jannali, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Surrogacy & Adoption · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Family Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Torquay, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Roy Morris & Co PTY LTD provides legal services in Torquay, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Armidale, NSW · New England & North West
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Watson McNamara & Watt provides legal services in Armidale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Geebung, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Donovan Legal provides legal services in Geebung, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Evolution Legal provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Toronto, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Halyburton Legal provides legal services in Toronto, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · General Practice (regional generalist)
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Rosebud, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hosking Lawyers provides legal services in Rosebud, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Murray Bridge, SA · Riverland & Murraylands
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Joseph Ramsay Sanders Lawyers provides legal services in Murray Bridge, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Traffic Offences and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+7 moreTraffic Offences · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
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Caboolture, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Michael Mason Lawyer provides legal services in Caboolture, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Delfino & Delfino Solicitors provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Family Law · Personal Injury · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mudgee, NSW · Central West & Orana
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Emily Peoples, Solicitor provides legal services in Mudgee, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Erina, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Felicio Law Firm provides legal services in Erina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Debt Recovery and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreDebt Recovery · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bowral, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Haille Paine Solicitors provides legal services in Bowral, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sedsman Legal provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
A practical guide to estate planning & testamentary trusts
What to discuss at the first meeting
Explain what you want the plan to achieve, including family needs and business interests. A more complex structure should be justified by its purpose and ongoing administration, not chosen merely because it is available.
Clarify whether tax and financial advice are included or must be obtained separately before implementing the plan.
How the engagement may progress
01
List family members, property, debts, companies, trusts and superannuation. Identify where original documents are held and which assets are jointly owned.
02
Ask what each document or application would achieve. Confirm which state rules and asset-ownership arrangements need to be considered.
03
Agree on signing, storage and future reviews, or on the executor’s responsibilities for records and distributions. Identify changes that should prompt further advice.
Fees and the scope of work
Compare a simple-will quote with more involved planning or estate administration. Ask about searches, applications, valuations and coordination with an accountant.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Provide the date of death and any estate correspondence promptly. Ask about relevant deadlines before distributing assets, signing a release or assuming a dispute can wait.
Questions to ask a estate planning & testamentary trusts adviser
Why is this structure suitable for the objective?
What ongoing administration or specialist advice would be required?
Does the scope address assets outside my own name?
Who is the client if relatives attend together?
What information is needed before documents can be finalised?
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What is a testamentary trust?
A trust created by your will that takes effect on your death. It can protect beneficiaries and offer tax advantages for distributions to children.
How much does a will cost?
Many firms offer simple wills for a fixed fee. Wills involving trusts, blended families, business interests or overseas assets cost more because they need more planning.
Can I contest a will?
Close family members, and some others who depended on the person who died, can apply for a greater share if they were not adequately provided for. Strict time limits apply, often within months of the death, and they differ between states.
