Estate Planning Guides

Most people start with a will and EPAs (Enduring Powers of Attorney). These two documents cover what happens if you die and what happens if you lose capacity during life. Whether you also need a trust depends on your assets, family situation, and goals.

Our guides help you understand each area. If you are unsure, start with the assessment quiz above or the Creating Your Will guide.

These documents serve different purposes but need to coordinate. Your will directs what happens to assets you own personally when you die. A trust holds assets separately, often for asset protection or succession planning. EPAs appoint people to act for you while you are alive if you cannot act for yourself.

When we help with estate planning, we ensure all your documents work together as an integrated plan.

A straightforward will and EPAs can usually be completed within two to three weeks. If you are also setting up or reviewing a trust, allow four to six weeks. Complex situations involving business structures or farm succession usually take several months to plan properly.

We give you a realistic timeframe once we understand your situation.

Review your estate planning after major life events: marriage, separation, birth of children or grandchildren, significant changes in assets, moving to a retirement village, or changes in family relationships. We also recommend reviewing trust deeds following the Trusts Act 2019.

As a general rule, if your documents are more than five years old, a review is worthwhile.

Yes, we recommend it. Your will, trust, and EPAs need to work together. Having one lawyer handle all documents ensures they coordinate properly and there are no gaps or conflicts. It also means one person understands your full situation.