Choosing an attorney is a big decision. Your attorney may be called upon to make important personal, health, and financial decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity, so choosing someone you trust is essential. In this blog, we look at what an attorney does and the qualities to consider when choosing the right person for the role.

If you have an adult child who may need some extra support managing an inheritance, your estate plan can take that into account. A Testamentary Discretionary Trust may provide a way to protect and manage an inheritance while still allowing your child to benefit from it.

Want to leave a particular item to someone in your Will? You can make a specific gift, which allows you to leave an identifiable asset, such as jewellery, a vehicle, artwork, or other treasured possession, to a named person. Here’s what to consider before making a specific gift in your Will.

When should you update your Will? Your Will should be reviewed regularly and updated whenever your wishes, circumstances, assets, or family situation change. Here are the key life events that should prompt you to review your Will.

Who can you leave your estate to? In Queensland, you generally have broad freedom to choose who receives your assets under your Will, including family members, friends, charities, and other organisations. There are also important rules around potential Family Provision Applications. Find out who you can gift to, what happens with pets, and what you need to consider when deciding who should inherit from your estate.

An Advance Health Directive allows you to record your wishes about future health care and medical treatment if you become unable to make decisions for yourself. Learn how an AHD works in Queensland, how it differs from an Enduring Power of Attorney, and why it can form an important part of your estate plan.

What happens if you lose the ability to make your own decisions? An Enduring Power of Attorney allows you to appoint people you trust to make personal and/or financial decisions for you if you lose decision-making capacity. Without one, your family may not automatically have the legal authority to step in. Find out why an EPA is an important part of your estate plan.

Why do you need a Will? A Will gives you the opportunity to decide what happens to your estate, choose your executor, plan for your children, and put strategies in place for the people you leave behind. Learn why having a Will matters and what can happen if you leave your estate to the Queensland Rules of Intestacy.

A Letter of Wishes gives you the opportunity to leave guidance, stories, values, and practical information for the people you love. Find out what a Letter of Wishes is, how it works alongside your Will, and what you might include.