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
Gold coast German Club provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Joondalup, WA · Perth North
Greenstone Legal Albany provides legal services in Joondalup, 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
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Albany, WA · Great Southern
Greenstone Legal Albany provides legal services in Albany, 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
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Byron Bay, NSW · Northern Rivers
Heydons Lawyers & Attorneys provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include General Practice (regional generalist), Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
General Practice (regional generalist)+8 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Wills & Estates · Insolvency & Restructuring · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Commercial Property & Leasing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Rosebery, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
JSM Lawyers provides legal services in Rosebery, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Heidelberg, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Melling Legal provides legal services in Heidelberg, 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
Mildura, VIC · Mallee
Mildura Conveyancing Services provides conveyancing services in Mildura, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Criminal Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreCriminal Law · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Newcastle, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Monaco Compensation Lawyers Noosaville provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+5 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & EnvironmentNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consult
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Toorak, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Natalex Lawyers provides legal services in Toorak, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Building & Construction.
Wills & Estates+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Building & Construction · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Banking & Finance
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
NEW VISION LEGAL SERVICES provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Partner & Family Visas · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Griffith, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Paula Johns Legal provides legal services in Griffith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gosford, NSW · Central Coast
PBL Law Group provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Strata & Body Corporate, Planning & Environment and Wills & Estates.
Strata & Body Corporate+7 morePlanning & Environment · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Building & Construction · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Probate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Karana Downs, QLD · Ipswich
Stoltz Law Firm provides legal services in Karana Downs, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+4 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · 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
Ultimo, NSW · Sydney CBD
Stuart Alexander & Co Pty Ltd provides legal services in Ultimo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Planning & Environment and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 morePlanning & Environment · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Building & Construction · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Commercial Property & Leasing · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
Townsville Wills & Estates Lawyers provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Wills & Estates+4 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Contested Wills & Family ProvisionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(1,140)Google rating from 1,140 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Ballpen Legal provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Wills & Estates and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Notary Public & JP Services+5 moreWills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(570)Google rating from 570 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Lyn Johnston Conveyancing provides legal services in Maitland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Building & Construction
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(476)Google rating from 476 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
BSG Lawyers & Notary Public Adelaide provides legal services in Walkerville, SA. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(287)Google rating from 287 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Burgess Thomson provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(271)Google rating from 271 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Allen & Jasnic Lawyers provides legal services in Balcatta, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Employment Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(207)Google rating from 207 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Stevenson J B & Co provides legal services in Cleveland, 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 · Building & Construction · Business & Commercial Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
Dundas, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(203)Google rating from 203 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Marriotts Legal Costers provides legal services in Dundas, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 morePlanning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Property & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
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.