Estates Planning
A Clear Plan for Your Future
A good estate plan gives you control over your future and protects the people you care about most. A will is a complete strategy for your assets, your health, and your legacy.
At Irvine Lawyers, we make this process straightforward. We listen to your goals and create a practical, legally-sound plan that gives you and your family total peace of mind.
Many people think “estate planning” is just for the very wealthy. In reality, every Victorian needs a plan. As your dedicated estate planning lawyers in Melbourne, we help you answer the big questions: What happens if I’m sick? Who will care for my children? How do I ensure my assets go to the right people?
From Warrnambool to South Morang, we help young families, business owners, and retirees create comprehensive plans. This includes a valid Will, but also vital documents like Powers of Attorney and superannuation strategies. We’ll help you understand why you need estate planning to protect your family’s future.
Our Estate Planning Services Include
- Wills and Inheritance Planning: We help you create a Will as part of a broader estate plan, ensuring your assets are structured and distributed in line with your long-term wishes.
- Enduring Powers of Attorney (Financial & Personal): We help you appoint someone you trust to manage your financial and personal affairs if you become unable to do so yourself.
- Appointment of a Medical Treatment Decision Maker: This document allows you to nominate a trusted person to make medical decisions on your behalf, ensuring your preferences and values are respected.
- Testamentary Trusts: For more complex estates, including blended families or asset protection needs, we can establish testamentary trusts to provide greater control and flexibility for your beneficiaries.
- Asset Protection & Complex Estate Planning: We provide tailored advice to help structure your estate to protect assets and support long-term financial security for your family.
FAQs: Estate Planning
A Will states who gets your assets when you die. Estate planning is a broader strategy that includes your Will and covers what happens if you become incapacitated (Powers of Attorney, medical directives) and ensures assets like superannuation and trusts are structured correctly.
A Testamentary Trust is created by your Will and comes into effect after you die. It can protect assets, manage inheritances for young or vulnerable beneficiaries, and may provide tax advantages.
Not necessarily. Superannuation does not always form part of your estate. You should have a valid binding death benefit nomination with your super fund — we review this as part of your estate plan.
We recommend reviewing your plan every 3–5 years, or after major life events such as marriage, divorce, having children, buying property, or starting a business.