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
Richlands, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Pham Solicitors provides legal services in Richlands, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(45)Google rating from 45 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Acorn Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Newcastle, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(44)Google rating from 44 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cooper Williams Lawyers provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(44)Google rating from 44 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lewis K provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Contract Law · Commercial Litigation · Partner & Family Visas
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Wayville, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(44)Google rating from 44 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
SA Estate and Succession Lawyers provides legal services in Wayville, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Shailer Park, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(44)Google rating from 44 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
W & G Lawyers provides legal services in Shailer Park, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Immigration & Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(43)Google rating from 43 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Wills Direct provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Varsity Lakes, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(41)Google rating from 41 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Prestige Law Group provides legal services in Varsity Lakes, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Castle Hill, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(40)Google rating from 40 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Digital Age Lawyers provides legal services in Castle Hill, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Haymarket, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(40)Google rating from 40 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Digital Age Lawyers provides legal services in Haymarket, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(40)Google rating from 40 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mitchell Family Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Tewantin, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Anumis Legal provides legal services in Tewantin, 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 · Insolvency & Restructuring · Banking & FinanceFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Maitland, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Aqua Legal & Conveyancing provides legal services in Maitland, 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
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Bundall, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Avuri Lawyers provides legal services in Bundall, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Collaroy, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mothers in Law Lawyers provides legal services in Collaroy, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreWills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Debt Recovery · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Port Macquarie, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(39)Google rating from 39 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rayners Lawyers provides legal services in Port Macquarie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+6 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment
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Newcastle West, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(38)Google rating from 38 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Endeavour Commercial & Property Lawyers provides legal services in Newcastle West, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law 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.
