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
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Harper Davison Solicitors provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sale, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sullivan Braham Pty Ltd provides legal services in Sale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Criminal Law · Personal Injury
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ADLV Law, Adelaide provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Employment Law and Unfair Dismissal.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreEmployment Law · Unfair Dismissal · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Partner & Family Visas · Property & Conveyancing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Launceston, TAS · Launceston & North
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
BDF Law provides legal services in Launceston, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Employment Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Buying or Selling a Business
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
East Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Conveyancing 4 U provides legal services in East Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Buying or Selling a Business · Probate & Estate Administration2 languages
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Grafton, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Gallagher Solicitors & Conveyancers provides legal services in Grafton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Woolooware, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
CGC Law provides legal services in Woolooware, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Jacaranda Law provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Elder Law & Aged Care · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consult
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dural, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Micara Lawyers provides legal services in Dural, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Commercial Property & Leasing · Building & ConstructionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Merimbula, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sautelle White Lawyers provides legal services in Merimbula, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Midland, WA · Perth East
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(19)Google rating from 19 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bechelet & Co provides legal services in Midland, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Contested Wills & Family ProvisionFree first consult
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
North Lakes, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(19)Google rating from 19 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lightbridge Lawyers provides legal services in North Lakes, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Joondalup, WA · Perth North
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Legato Law provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Binding Financial Agreements and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+7 moreBinding Financial Agreements · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bundaberg Central, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
MRH Lawyers provides legal services in Bundaberg Central, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Buying or Selling a Business · Employment Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Perth Wills Centre provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Traralgon, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
bdlegal provides legal services in Traralgon, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bovell, WA · South West
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
John Williams Law Company Busselton provides legal services in Bovell, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Marc Hardman & Associates provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
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.
