Executor’s Commission – What is it and how does it work?
Administering an estate can be an onerous task taking up time, potentially months, perhaps in some cases, years. In carrying out the role of administration of an estate the executor’s…
Delays in administrating an estate – what’s the hold up?
We often receive enquiries from beneficiaries of estates, questioning the time it is taking for an executor to attend to distribution. Beneficiaries may be eager to receive their inheritance; however,…
Attorney conflict transactions
In Queensland, an Enduring Power of Attorney allows you to appoint someone you trust (your attorney) the power to make decisions about personal (including health) matters and/or financial matters for you (whilst you are alive).…
Are you an executor selling an estate property?
When administering an estate, depending on the size of the estate, the executor may be responsible for a number of tasks. For example, if the deceased only had cash in…
Letter of Wishes – A personal touch to your Estate Planning
In light of the recent publications concerning Ken Talbot’s Will and some of the comments he placed in a letter accompanying his Will, it has triggered me to address the…
Interim distributions from a deceased’s estate
A common question asked in relation to deceased estates is whether an executor can make an interim distribution of the estate assets to the beneficiaries. What is an interim distribution?…
Estate planning – important for single parents
Here is a fast fact: In Australia, there were 1 million 1 parent families in June 2020 making up 14.2% of all families, with 79.3% of these, being single mothers.…
Tax on Superannuation Death Benefits
Benjamin Franklin said in 1789 that, “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes”. Turns out, some 200 years later, this quote still rings…
Mediation in Estate Disputes
When clients ask me about challenging a Will, or making a claim against an estate, I am quick to share the realities of litigation. Litigation is like a treadmill. Once you’re…
Reviewing family trusts as part of your estate plan
Discretionary family trusts are a popular investment structure in which a trustee holds assets in a trust for a group of beneficiaries, usually for family members. Benefits of family trusts…
Granny Flat Agreements
As our population is living longer, it is understandable that people want to stay at home for as long as possible. However, residing in your home may not be practicable.…
Family provision applications – will I end up in Court?
If you have been excluded from someone’s Will, you may be eligible to make an application to the Court for a portion, or a larger portion, of a deceased person’s…