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
Toongabbie, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(101)Google rating from 101 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
MTS Solicitors Pty Ltd provides legal services in Toongabbie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mornington, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(97)Google rating from 97 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Hill Legal provides legal services in Mornington, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(95)Google rating from 95 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
YHC Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Notting Hill, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(93)Google rating from 93 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
JK Lawyers provides legal services in Notting Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Morley, WA · Perth North
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(93)Google rating from 93 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lynn & Brown Lawyers provides legal services in Morley, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(93)Google rating from 93 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Optimum Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Partner & Family Visas · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(91)Google rating from 91 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Circle Bridge Legal provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+6 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Miranda, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(91)Google rating from 91 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Willis & Bowring provides legal services in Miranda, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · NDIS & Disability Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(89)Google rating from 89 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Willerby's Solicitors & Conveyancers provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brookvale, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(86)Google rating from 86 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
The Property Practice provides legal services in Brookvale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(85)Google rating from 85 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Than & Co Solicitors provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Commercial Property & Leasing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
West End, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(84)Google rating from 84 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Direct Lawyers Wills and Estates provides legal services in West End, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(82)Google rating from 82 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Curae Law provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ringwood, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(81)Google rating from 81 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Aughtersons Solicitors provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Commercial Property & Leasing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Turner, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(80)Google rating from 80 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Tetlow Legal provides legal services in Turner, ACT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(76)Google rating from 76 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Joseph Grassi + Associates provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Clyde North, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(75)Google rating from 75 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Spirit Legal provides legal services in Clyde North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mount Martha, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(74)Google rating from 74 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Olivetree Legal provides legal services in Mount Martha, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
East Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(71)Google rating from 71 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Clairs Keeley Lawyers provides legal services in East Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mount Gambier, SA · Limestone Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(68)Google rating from 68 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Brite Legal Family Law, Wills and Estate Lawyers provides legal services in Mount Gambier, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, 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.
