Estate Planning Blog

[The practical stuff about estate planning nobody taught you at school]

Saara Lemmetty Saara Lemmetty

The Importance of Reviewing Your Estate Plan After Major Life Events

Life changes can affect your estate plan in ways you might not expect. This blog explains when to review your Will, Powers of Attorney, superannuation, and other estate planning arrangements after marriage, separation, having children, changes in your finances, health changes, or moving interstate or overseas.

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Saara Lemmetty Saara Lemmetty

The Importance of Backup Guardians in Your Will

Choosing a guardian for your children is a big decision, but your first choice may not always be able to act. Learn why appointing backup guardians matters, what to consider when choosing them, and how to build flexibility into your estate plan.

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Saara Lemmetty Saara Lemmetty

Planning for Your Own Funeral: How to Record Your Wishes

Have you thought about what you would want to happen after you die? From burial or cremation to the music, photos, and people you want there, recording your wishes can make things easier for the people you leave behind. Here's how to plan your funeral and include your wishes in your estate plan.

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Saara Lemmetty Saara Lemmetty

Why Estate Planning Is an Investment

Estate planning is an investment in your family’s future. Learn why the value of a well-designed estate plan goes far beyond the documents themselves, and why getting the right advice can save your loved ones significant financial and emotional costs.

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Saara Lemmetty Saara Lemmetty

Common Myths About Powers of Attorney

Powers of attorney are an important part of your estate plan, but there are plenty of misconceptions about what they do. We unpack some of the most common myths about Enduring Powers of Attorney and Advance Health Directives, including when an attorney can act, what decisions they can make, and why these documents matter at any age.

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Saara Lemmetty Saara Lemmetty

A Young Family's Estate Plan: Amanda and Rob's Story

Amanda and Rob wanted their estate plan to protect more than their children’s inheritance. They wanted to provide for Noah and Sophie’s needs, plan for the possibility of remarriage, manage their children’s inheritance as they grew, and leave clear guidance about their upbringing. This case study explores how a Testamentary Discretionary Trust can form part of a broader estate plan for a young family.

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Saara Lemmetty Saara Lemmetty

Caring for Ageing Parents: Estate Planning Conversations to Have Now

Caring for ageing parents can mean having some difficult conversations about their Will, decision-making, healthcare, finances, and future care. This blog covers the key estate planning questions to ask your parents, and how to approach these conversations with care and respect.

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Saara Lemmetty Saara Lemmetty

Estate planning for blended families: navigating complexity to protect everyone

Blended families can make estate planning more complicated. You may want to provide for your current partner while also protecting an inheritance for children from a previous relationship. This blog explores some of the estate planning strategies available to blended families, including testamentary discretionary trusts, life interests, superannuation nominations, and careful Will drafting.

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Saara Lemmetty Saara Lemmetty

Planning for Future Healthcare: The Importance of an Advance Health Directive

Planning for future healthcare can feel difficult, but an Advance Health Directive gives you the opportunity to make important decisions about your medical treatment while you have capacity. Learn how an AHD works in Queensland, when it applies, how to make one, and how it fits with the rest of your estate plan.

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Saara Lemmetty Saara Lemmetty

Is It Worth Spending Money on a Lawyer to Write My Will?

Is it worth paying a lawyer to prepare your Will? For many families, the answer depends on what you own, who you want to protect, and how you want your assets to pass. We look at what you're really paying for when you engage an estate planning lawyer and why getting the structure right can matter far more than the upfront cost.

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Saara Lemmetty Saara Lemmetty

Godparent vs Guardian: Understanding the Difference

What’s the difference between a godparent and a guardian? If you have children, it’s important to understand that naming someone as a godparent does not automatically give them legal responsibility for your child. This blog explains the role of a testamentary guardian and why guardian planning should form part of your estate plan.

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Saara Lemmetty Saara Lemmetty

Who's Entitled to See Your Will After Death?

Who is entitled to see a Will after someone dies in Queensland? You might be surprised by who can legally request a copy. This blog explains who is entitled to inspect a deceased person's Will, when a Will can become part of the public court record, and what you can do to protect your privacy.

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Estate Planning Saara Lemmetty Estate Planning Saara Lemmetty

Executor vs Attorney: What’s the Difference?

Executor vs attorney: what’s the difference? Your executor manages your estate after you die, while your attorney can make decisions for you during your lifetime under an Enduring Power of Attorney. Learn what each role involves, who you should consider appointing, and why choosing the right people is an important part of your estate plan.

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