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
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Warragul, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
SJD Law - Lawyers & Conveyancing provides legal services in Warragul, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kingston, TAS · Hobart & South
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Advocate Lawyers Kingston provides legal services in Kingston, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Phillip, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bedfords Legal provides legal services in Phillip, ACT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Narrabeen, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Chedid Storey Legal provides legal services in Narrabeen, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Building & Construction · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Commercial Property & Leasing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
JE Law Group provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ringwood, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kenney Legal provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Elder Law & Aged Care · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Caloundra, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sargent Law provides legal services in Caloundra, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Thompson McNichol Lawyers provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Partner & Family Visas
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Bundaberg Central, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ballantine Law provides legal services in Bundaberg Central, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bluebells Lawyers provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Toowoomba City, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Keogh & Co Lawyers provides legal services in Toowoomba City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Partner & Family Visas · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Commercial Property & Leasing · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Noosaville, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
TJS Law provides legal services in Noosaville, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Peakhurst, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dph Lawyers provides legal services in Peakhurst, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Criminal Law · Commercial Property & Leasing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Forster, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Drinkwater Criminal and Family Lawyers provides legal services in Forster, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Drink & Drug Driving.
Family Law+6 moreWills & Estates · Drink & Drug Driving · Criminal Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Traffic Offences
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East Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hede Byrne & Hall Lawyers provides legal services in East Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Education Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Employment Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hede Byrne & Hall Lawyers provides legal services in Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Education Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Employment Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Toowoomba City, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Chris Sheath & Associates Solicitors provides legal services in Toowoomba City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Rosebud, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
McGuinness Legal provides legal services in Rosebud, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Divorce & Separation · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Boyarkina Lawyers provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Balnarring, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ELLISON-WHYTE LAW provides legal services in Balnarring, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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.
