Estate planning lawyers structure wills, testamentary trusts and succession for families and businesses.
firms
674
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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
Mount Waverley, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ESTHER TAN LAWYERS & NOTARY PUBLIC provides legal services in Mount Waverley, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: mandarin
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Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
J P O'Neill provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Darwin City, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
K E Roussos and Associates Barristers and Solicitors provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Wills & Estates and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Traffic Offences · Drug Offences · Assault & Violent Offences · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment
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Mudgeeraba, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
LB Law Group provides legal services in Mudgeeraba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
North Sydney, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maurice Buckley C T Poole & Son Solicitors provides legal services in North Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Noosa Heads, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Virgil Power Lawyers provides legal services in Noosa Heads, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Commercial Property & Leasing · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
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Batemans Bay, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ac Lawyers provides legal services in Batemans Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Professional Negligence, Public Liability and Medical Negligence.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Doncaster, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ahura Lawyers provides legal services in Doncaster, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hendra, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Andrew Douglas Solicitors provides legal services in Hendra, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maitland, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Brogan & Co. Lawyers provides legal services in Maitland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bundaberg West, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
De Papi & Associates Lawyers provides legal services in Bundaberg West, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+4 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & EnvironmentFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Grindal Legal provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Banking & Finance.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ipswich Family Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Domestic Violence & AVOs · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Fraud & White Collar Crime
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Mount Gambier, SA · Limestone Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kidman Law Co provides legal services in Mount Gambier, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Emerald, VIC · Hume & North East
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
KLR Legal Services Pty Ltd provides legal services in Emerald, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Notary Public & JP Services.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Notary Public & JP Services · Family Law · Employment Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
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Ellenbrook, WA · Perth North
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lynn & Brown Lawyers provides legal services in Ellenbrook, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wangaratta, VIC · Hume & North East
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Morgan Couzens Legal provides legal services in Wangaratta, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Employment Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
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.
