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
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cash and Stavroulakis Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Parenting & Child Custody.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Newport, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cooke & Hutchinson Lawyers provides legal services in Newport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Property & Conveyancing · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Elder Law & Aged Care · Business & Commercial Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Erina, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Edge Legal Group provides legal services in Erina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Neutral Bay, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Toltz Lawyers provides legal services in Neutral Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ulverstone, TAS · North West & West Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Walsh Day Mihal Bassett Barristers and Solicitors provides legal services in Ulverstone, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Administrative & Government Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Werribee, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Coolabah Law Chambers provides legal services in Werribee, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Wills & Estates+8 moreFamily Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Notary Public & JP Services · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · General Practice (regional generalist)2 languages
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Glen Waverley, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cumberbatch and Williams Lawyers provides legal services in Glen Waverley, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Devonport, TAS · North West & West Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Foxfield Lawyers provides legal services in Devonport, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ulverstone, TAS · North West & West Coast
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Glynn Williams Legal provides legal services in Ulverstone, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Partner & Family Visas · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
JDL Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Commercial Property & Leasing · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dubbo, NSW · Central West & Orana
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Jess Bourke Legal provides legal services in Dubbo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Pialba, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kalde Legal provides legal services in Pialba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Property & Conveyancing · Commercial Property & Leasing · Planning & Environment · Buying or Selling a Business · Intellectual Property & Trade MarksFree first consult
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Berri, SA · Riverland & Murraylands
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
O'Briens Solicitors provides legal services in Berri, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
O'Connor Law provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Shepparton, VIC · Hume & North East
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tehan George & Co - Law Firm - Euroa provides legal services in Shepparton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Partner & Family Visas · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Business & Commercial Law · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Albury, NSW · Riverina & Murray
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Belbridge Fleming Law provides legal services in Albury, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Blacktown, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Diamond Legal and Conveyancing provides legal services in Blacktown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Building & Construction and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBuilding & Construction · Business & Commercial Law · Corporate Law & M&A · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Strata & Body Corporate · Planning & EnvironmentFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Tewantin, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Donald Portbury & Co provides legal services in Tewantin, QLD. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Notary Public & JP Services+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Elder Law & Aged Care · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Retirement Villages & Aged Care Contracts
Understand the next step
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.
