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
Robina, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dillon Legal provides legal services in Robina, QLD. 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
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
FitzGerald and Browne Lawyers provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Divorce & Separation · Partner & Family Visas · Human Rights & DiscriminationNo win, no fee
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lee Sames Egan provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hurstville, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Samaras Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Hurstville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Probate & Estate Administration · Buying or Selling a Business
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Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(12)Google rating from 12 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Your Will and Estate provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bowral, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(11)Google rating from 11 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Clicklaw Australia provides legal services in Bowral, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mandurah, WA · Perth South
★★★★★★★★★★3.0(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Amanda Liston Legal provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Wills & Estates+4 morePlanning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Elder Law & Aged Care
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Balcatta, WA · Perth North
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Barnard Lawyers provides legal services in Balcatta, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Building & Construction · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Crosby Brosnan & Creen provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wyoming, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Goldrick Farrell Mullan Lawyers incorporating Michael Daly Solicitors provides legal services in Wyoming, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Notary Public & JP Services · Probate & Estate Administration
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Wyong, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
LegalWise Solutions provides legal services in Wyong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Partner & Family Visas · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Lennox Head, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mulcahy Lawyers & Conveyancers provides conveyancing services in Lennox Head, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Workers Compensation and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Milton, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Watt & Severin Solicitors provides legal services in Milton, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Elder Law & Aged Care · Probate & Estate Administration · Commercial Property & Leasing · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Barker & Barker provides conveyancing services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
East Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Contested Will and Estate Lawyers provides legal services in East Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Contested Wills & Family Provision.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Charlestown, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Landmark Legal provides legal services in Charlestown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Surfers Paradise, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
TPIL Lawyers provides legal services in Surfers Paradise, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kalamunda, WA · Perth East
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Alto Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Kalamunda, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kalgoorlie, WA · Goldfields-Esperance
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Brookman Legal provides legal services in Kalgoorlie, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Planning & Environment and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kalgoorlie, WA · Goldfields-Esperance
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Brookman Legal provides legal services in Kalgoorlie, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Planning & Environment and Wills & Estates.
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.
