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
Busselton, WA · South West
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
AMS & Co Legal provides legal services in Busselton, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Burwood East, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Bevz Lawyers provides legal services in Burwood East, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Castle Hill, NSW · Hills District
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
BLUECREST LEGAL PTY LTD provides legal services in Castle Hill, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Farrellys provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Commercial Property & Leasing · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Immigration & Visas · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mandurah, WA · Perth South
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Greenstone Legal Albany provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+7 moreEstate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Not-for-Profit & Charity Law
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Joondalup, WA · Perth North
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Gregson & Associates provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Elder Law & Aged Care · Business & Commercial Law · General Practice (regional generalist)
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Leichhardt, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Law Flow provides legal services in Leichhardt, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Strata & Body Corporate · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Personal InjuryFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mandurah, WA · Perth South
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
LLB Legal provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Darwin Cbd, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Maher Paul Solicitors provides legal services in Darwin Cbd, NT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Planning & Environment.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Coronial Inquests · Wills & Estates · Skilled & Business Visas · Professional Negligence · Estate Planning & Testamentary TrustsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sutherland, NSW · Southern Sydney
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
McKillop Legal provides legal services in Sutherland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Probate & Estate Administration, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Caloundra, QLD · Sunshine Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Michael Mason Lawyer provides legal services in Caloundra, 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
Tinana, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
MRH Lawyers provides legal services in Tinana, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Strathfield, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Shanahans Butlers Solicitors provides legal services in Strathfield, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Joondalup, WA · Perth North
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
The Bitcoin Lawyers provides legal services in Joondalup, 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
Devonport, TAS · North West & West Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
The Public Trustee provides legal services in Devonport, 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
Fortitude Valley, QLD · Brisbane CBD
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Adams & Ross Lawyers & Business Advisers provides legal services in Fortitude Valley, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Business & Commercial Law+4 moreWills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & EnvironmentFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Amanda Little & Associates provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Criminal Law · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
South Hurstville, NSW · Southern Sydney
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
AR&A Lawyers provides legal services in South Hurstville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Immigration & Visas · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Corporate Law & M&A · Registered Migration Agent (non-lawyer)Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Bob Zelden Solicitors provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Defamation and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreDefamation · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Criminal Law · Personal Injury · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Forest Glen, QLD · Sunshine Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Bush to Beach Legal provides legal services in Forest Glen, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
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.
