Wills and Estate Planning
The Essential Guide for Australians

3. Auflage Juni 2025
336 Seiten, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Have you prepared your legacy? Get peace of mind for you and your loved ones tomorrow by planning your estate today.
Wills and Estate Planning: The Essential Guide for Australians will help you make a plan to leave your wealth to your selected beneficiaries, protect your financial legacy and avoid family disagreements. This plain-English guide makes estate planning easy, providing exactly what you need to know to get started.
You have spent substantial amounts of time and energy building your life as it is now. But have you planned for how your wealth and assets will be distributed after your death? Many people prepare a will only when a life event brings the topic sharply into view--ike the death of a loved one or a personal health issue. But being proactive and planning your estate today can help you avoid significant time pressure and emotional stress.
Wills and estates expert Andrew Simpson shares his extensive knowledge in this clear, jargon-free guide. From planning your retirement to writing a will and distributing your assets, Wills and Estate Planning covers the fundamentals and answers your questions. Inside, you'll find informative case studies, practical examples and easy-to-read explanations.
Designed specifically for readers with little to no experience with wills and estate planning, this book will help you:
* Create a secure, legitimate estate plan: understand your assets, draft your will and protect it from legal challenges
* Navigate complex topics: use trusts to safeguard your assets, your superannuation and your financial legacy
* Avoid costly mistakes and minimise tax burdens for yourself and your family
* Know what to look for when choosing a professional estate planner
With the latest financial and tax guidelines, this is a must-have resource for anyone seeking to confidently pass on their wealth to future generations. Wills and Estate Planning is for anyone who wants a simple, stress-free way to sort their affairs and enjoy peace of mind.
Acknowledgements ix
Preface xi
Part I Understanding estate planning 1
1. What is estate planning? 3
2. Estate assets 11
3. Intestacy 19
Part II The will 25
4. Planning your will 27
5. Appointment of executors 35
6. Contents of the will 49
7. Updating, revoking and storing your will 67
8. Protecting your will from challenge 75
Part III Trusts and estate planning 87
9. An introduction to trusts 89
10. Types of trusts 99
11. Testamentary trusts 113
12. Capital-protected and protective trusts 129
13. Proceeds trusts 147
Part IV Taxation and superannuation 157
14. Taxation and death 159
15. Death and superannuation 171
Part V Lifetime planning 189
16. Powers of attorney 191
17. Binding financial agreements 209
18. Business succession and estate planning 213
19. Life insurance 223
20. Planning ahead -- arranging your funeral 229
Part VI Estate planning and elder law 235
21. Centrelink and estate planning 237
22. Centrelink and the treatment of private trusts and companies 247
23. Reverse mortgages 259
24. Aged care 267
25. It's up to you now 279
Glossary 281
Appendix 287
Index 289