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
★★★★★★★★★★3.6(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Friedman Lurie Singh & D'Angelo provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Personal Injury and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Wills & Estates+7 morePersonal Injury · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Public Liability · Product Liability · Professional Negligence
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(9)Google rating from 9 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Konstantin F. Tringas provides legal services in Caulfield North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: german
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Satsias Andrew provides conveyancing services in Griffith, 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
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(8)Google rating from 8 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Temple-Smith Partners provides legal services in Devonport Cbd, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Clear Path Family Law Sunshine Coast provides legal services in Mooloolaba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Family Property Settlement · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary TrustsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ozpropertylaw Pty Ltd provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Strata & Body Corporate and Planning & Environment.
Property & Conveyancing+8 moreStrata & Body Corporate · Planning & Environment · Commercial Property & Leasing · Business & Commercial Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Notary Public & JP Services
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Satsias Andrew provides conveyancing services in Dickson, 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
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tehan George & Co - Law Firm - Euroa provides legal services in Euroa, 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
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Thomson & Associates provides legal services in Mclaren Vale, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
White Berman Ryder - Barristers and Solicitors - Modbury Office provides legal services in Modbury, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Planning & Environment.
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
White Berman Ryder - Barristers and Solicitors - Modbury Office provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Planning & Environment.
Pennant Hills, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Blunden Lawyers provides legal services in Pennant Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cockburn Legal provides legal services in Newmarket, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+6 morePowers of Attorney & Guardianship · Planning & Environment · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Probate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Gardiners Lawyers provides legal services in Mooloolaba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
MGR Solicitors (McSwineys Solicitors) provides legal services in Wodonga, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
★★★★★★★★★★3.5(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Nhill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Searson Shannon & Co. Pty Ltd provides conveyancing services in Laurieton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
★★★★★★★★★★3.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Vickers Lawyers provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Family Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(5)Google rating from 5 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ferrier & Co Solicitors Roma provides legal services in Roma, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Probate & Estate Administration
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.
