What is the difference between a Will and an estate plan?

A Will is one document within an estate plan. Your Will directs who receives the assets you own personally when you die. An estate plan also deals with your superannuation, anything held in a trust or a company, jointly owned property and who acts for you if you lose capacity. Ask us about our written estate plan documents, a comprehensive advice you can keep with your Will that guides you and your loved ones as to how your estate plan is structured.

What does estate planning cost?

Our initial consultation is a fixed price. After the consultation we’ll have a better understanding of your specific needs and will give you a tailored quote or estimate. The business succession diagnostic is priced for each entity, so what you pay depends on how many structures you have. See the current prices on the estate planning page.

What happens at an estate planning consultation?

We’ll talk through what you own, what entities or trusts you control and who you want to leave your estate to. We explain in general terms how a Will works alongside your superannuation, your jointly owned property and anything held in a trust or a company, so you can see where your Will reaches and where it does not. We’ll consider whether an inheritance should be held in a trust rather than paid out directly to a beneficiary and discuss how your superannuation should be directed. All of this forms the basis of your estate planning strategy. The consultation is a fixed price and we give you a tailored quote for preparing your estate plan and any documents you need afterwards.

What do I need to bring to my appointment?

You’ll need to bring your original photo ID (driver’s licence or passport), as well as the list below, depending on which documents you’d like to make. To make your Will, please bring an overview of your assets and liabilities, the full names and addresses of your executors and of any guardians for children under 18, plus the full names of your beneficiaries. For your enduring power of attorney (EPOA) and enduring power of guardianship (EPOG) you’ll need the full name and address of each person you want to appoint, plus anyone you want as a substitute. It helps to have spoken to them first, because everyone you appoint has to sign an acceptance before the document can be used. See the Making your Will checklist, the enduring power of attorney checklist and the enduring power of guardianship checklist.

What do I need to bring if I have a company or a trust?

At your initial appointment we’ll ask you for an overview of the trusts and companies you control, but we won’t analyse the documents in the meeting. After the appointment we’ll ask you for the trust deed and any deeds of variation for each family trust, plus the constitution and share register for each company. For a self-managed super fund we’ll need the trust deed and the current member statements. We cannot advise on succession for a structure without reading its deed.

Can my attorney deal with my company or my family trust?

Not without authorisation. An attorney under an enduring power of attorney cannot deal with property held in trust and cannot act as a company director or secretary unless authorised by the company constitution. Who steps in is set by the trust deed and the company constitution, which is why it is so important to get advice specific to your own documents.

Does my Will cover my superannuation?

Not necessarily. Your superannuation is held by the trustee of your fund rather than by you, so it does not automatically form part of your estate. A binding death benefit nomination directs the trustee where to pay your super when you die.

Can I change my estate plan later?

Yes, you can change your Will and estate plan while you have capacity. You can make a new Will at any time and the enduring powers can be revoked and replaced. We recommend reviewing your plan whenever you marry, separate, divorce, have a child, sell a business or restructure an entity.

Estate Planning Lawyers Perth | Perth Wills Centre

Estate planning decides who controls and who receives everything you own, including the assets a Will cannot touch. We start with a fixed price consultation, work out what your plan has to do, then quote for the documents.

Estate planning is about strategy, not just paperwork. We work with you to create an effective, legally binding plan that safeguards your wealth, minimises risks, and ensures your assets are passed on according to your wishes.

If you have a business, family trust or SMSF, this may include preparing a written estate plan to help your family understand your affairs.

Estate planning advice is also helpful for blended families or if you want to leave someone out of your Will. We’ll use an estate planning conference to discuss your options ahead of preparing your Will.

Don’t leave your legacy to chance – book a consultation today.

At Perth Wills Centre, we help you to:

Analyse your financial position and family dynamics.

Structure your estate to protect assets and reduce tax exposure.

Prepare legally sound documents, inlcuding Wills, trusts and powers of attorney.

our services

Estate planning services and prices

We’ll make sure your Will isn’t just legally valid, but strategically designed to do the most for your family. Start with an estate planning conference, where we will work out what you own, what you control and what your plan needs to do.

Testamentary trust Will

From $3,000 single / $4,000 partners

Considering a testamentary trust? Let’s talk strategy.

Start with an estate planning conference with one of our experienced lawyers. We’ll walk you through how a testamentary trust could benefit your family, and provide a tailored, fixed-price quote for your estate plan.

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