Estate planning lawyers structure wills, testamentary trusts and succession for families and businesses.
firms
674
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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
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(67)Google rating from 67 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Fairlove & Goodman provides legal services in Berrinba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Divorce & Separation · Binding Financial Agreements · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary TrustsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(66)Google rating from 66 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Butler McIntyre & Butler provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(54)Google rating from 54 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Radcliff Taylor Lawyers provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Corporate Law & M&A · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(51)Google rating from 51 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Bradley & Bray Lawyers provides legal services in Nambour, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(51)Google rating from 51 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Satsias Andrew provides conveyancing services in Belconnen, ACT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Strata & Body Corporate and Planning & Environment.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreStrata & Body Corporate · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Taylor Law & Conveyancing provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Planning & Environment.
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Novatsis & Alexander Solicitors provides legal services in Thornbury, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Partner & Family Visas · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Pollock Ingram Solicitors provides legal services in Caloundra, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Commercial Property & Leasing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Commercial Property & Leasing · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Business & Commercial Law · Elder Law & Aged Care · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Power & Cartwright Solicitors provides legal services in Gympie, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Building & Construction · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Family Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(45)Google rating from 45 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ebejer & Associates Lawyers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Probate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Notary Public & JP Services · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: french
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(44)Google rating from 44 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hinschen Lawyers provides legal services in Cannonvale, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(42)Google rating from 42 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Wakerley Legal provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Elder Law & Aged Care.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Elder Law & Aged Care · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(41)Google rating from 41 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Direct2U Law & Conveyancing provides legal services in Wyong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Elder Law & Aged Care · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kenna Barry & Co provides legal services in Box Hill South, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Laurence Wilson & Associates provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(34)Google rating from 34 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
McPherson Christina provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Personal Injury
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
HazeLegal provides legal services in Kew, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Planning & Environment · 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.
