Estate planning lawyers structure wills, testamentary trusts and succession for families and businesses.
firms
674
regions
16
AI-generated editorial image
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
Caboolture, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(53)Google rating from 53 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Stewart Burr and Mayr Lawyers Caboolture provides legal services in Caboolture, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreWills & Estates · Criminal Law · Business & Commercial Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Tuggerah, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(52)Google rating from 52 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Avid Law provides legal services in Tuggerah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Launceston, TAS · Launceston & North
★★★★★★★★★★3.4(52)Google rating from 52 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Clarke & Gee Lawyers provides legal services in Launceston, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(51)Google rating from 51 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Arthur Browne & Associates provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Notary Public & JP Services and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Wills & Estates+4 moreNotary Public & JP Services · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sandy Bay, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(51)Google rating from 51 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Paula Sutherland & Associates Lawyers provides legal services in Sandy Bay, TAS. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Box Hill, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(51)Google rating from 51 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Trio Lawyers provides legal services in Box Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · Family Law · Employment Law · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Barry J R Wilson & David B Wilson provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Nurture Law provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cannonvale, QLD · Mackay & Whitsundays
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
PD Law provides legal services in Cannonvale, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Planning & Environment.
Business & Commercial Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Competition & Consumer Law · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Truly Legal provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Commercial Property & Leasing · Planning & Environment · Immigration & Visas · General Practice (regional generalist)
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
YLP Legal provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Partner & Family Visas+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Singleton, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Aqua Legal & Conveyancing provides legal services in Singleton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
West Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cariad Legal provides legal services in West Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Park Holme, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tim Clarke & Co Lawyers PTY LTD provides legal services in Park Holme, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Varga Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Yarrabilba, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ACS Legal Solutions provides legal services in Yarrabilba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dee Why, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Palmers Financial Group provides legal services in Dee Why, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Planning & Environment and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+5 morePlanning & Environment · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Property & Conveyancing · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mclaren Vale, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter Fisher Lawyers provides legal services in Mclaren Vale, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Morningside, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(47)Google rating from 47 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Australian Law Group provides legal services in Morningside, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Commercial Litigation and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreCommercial Litigation · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Toukley, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
GMS Conveyancing provides legal services in Toukley, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
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.
