Where will your wealth go when you go? Get peace of mind for you and your family with current and valid estate planning.

The Australian Guide to Wills and Estate Planning helps you leave your wealth to your selected beneficiaries, avoid family disagreements and protect your financial legacy. This plain-English guide makes estate planning easy--providing exactly what you need to know to get started.

Wills and estates expert Andrew Simpson shares his extensive knowledge to help answer your questions and prepare for the future today. From planning your retirement, to writing a will, to distributing your assets, each aspect of estate planning is highlighted by informative case studies, practical examples and easy-to-read explanations. This guide will help you:

• understand the vital aspects of the estate planning process
• know what to look for when choosing a professional estate planner
• minimise tax burdens for yourself and your family
• use trusts to safeguard your assets
• protect your will from legal challenges.

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.

Andrew Simpson has been helping Australians put their affairs in order for over two decades. Andrew is a Principal Lawyer and the head of Wills and Estates at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.

About the author vii

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 27

4 Planning your will 29

5 Appointment of executors 39

6 Contents of the will 55

7 Updating, revoking and storing your will 75

8 Protecting your will from challenge 83

Part III: Trusts and estate planning 95

9 An introduction to trusts 97

10 Types of trusts 109

11 Testamentary trusts 123

12 Capital-protected and protective trusts 139

13 Proceeds trusts 157

Part IV: Taxation and superannuation 169

14 Taxation and death 171

15 Death and superannuation 183

Part V: Lifetime planning 203

16 Powers of attorney 205

17 Binding financial agreements 225

18 Business succession and estate planning 229

19 Life insurance 241

20 Planning ahead - arranging your funeral 247

Part VI: Estate planning and elder law 251

21 Centrelink and estate planning 253

22 Centrelink and the treatment of private trusts and companies 263

23 Reverse mortgages 275

24 Aged care 283

25 It's up to you now 295

Glossary 297

Appendix: Step-by-step estate planning guide 303

Index 305