Wills & Estate Planning
At Horizon Legal Group (formerly Lember & Williams) we don't do "tick and flick" wills. We provide a comprehensive estate plan service that looks at your individual circumstances including your family structure and dynamics, and your property and assets. We listen to your objectives and how you would like your assets to be dealt with upon your death, and we craft a customised estate plan to suit your needs and achieve your desired outcome. Our estate planning packages include Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney, and Advanced Health Directives.
We work with your accountant, financial planner and other professionals to ensure a thorough consideration of all relevant estate and succession planning needs. We can assist clients with modest circumstances, as well as clients with complex trust and company structures.
Depending on your estate planning needs, we can draft a variety of different types of Wills tailored to suit your circumstances, including the following:
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Standard Wills
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Testamentary Discretionary Trust wills
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Special Disability Trust Wills - when a beneficiary may have a significant disability and a lump sum inheritance may disrupt their disability pension or NDIS arrangements
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Applications for Statutory Wills – when the Will maker does not have capacity to make a Will, and an application must be made to Court to grant the Will
Estate Planning
Our estate planning services include:
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Drafting a Will: A legally valid Will enables you to specify the distribution of your assets upon your passing, designate guardians for your children, and appoint executors and trustees for your estate.
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Creating an Enduring Power of Attorney: This document grants you the authority to outline your preferences for managing your personal, financial, and healthcare matters in case you become incapacitated and cannot make decisions for yourself.
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Reviewing Superannuation Death Benefit Plans: Ensuring clarity and precision in the distribution of your superannuation funds following your passing.
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Examining Family Trust Deeds: Ensuring the appropriateness of arrangements for a potential replacement trustee or appointor, which may require attention in your Will.
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Evaluating Company Structures: Assessing corporate structures, including corporate trustees, and addressing them within your Will, or establishing general Powers of Attorney as needed.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
“Great folks to deal with, nothing has been an issue to them.”
- Cary B
Why comprehensive Estate Planning is more than just making a Will
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Complex Asset Holdings: If a client has a complex portfolio of assets, such as multiple properties, investments, businesses, or overseas assets, estate planning can provide a comprehensive strategy to manage and distribute these assets efficiently.
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Blended Families: In cases where a client has a blended family with stepchildren or multiple marriages, estate planning can help ensure that assets are distributed in a way that aligns with their wishes and minimizes potential conflicts.
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Asset Protection: Estate planning can include measures to protect assets from creditors, potential lawsuits, or claims, which may be important for clients with significant wealth or businesses.
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Tax Efficiency: Estate planning can incorporate strategies to minimize tax liabilities for both the estate and beneficiaries, ensuring that assets are preserved as much as possible.
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Charitable Giving: Clients with philanthropic interests may use estate planning to include charitable donations or establish trusts for charitable purposes.
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Incapacity Planning: Estate planning can address not only what happens after a client's passing but also plans for potential incapacity, such as appointing someone to make medical or financial decisions on their behalf.
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Minor Beneficiaries: If a client wants to leave assets to minor children or beneficiaries with specific needs, estate planning can establish trusts or specific mechanisms to manage and protect those assets until the beneficiaries reach a certain age or condition.
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Business Succession: Business owners may use estate planning to address the succession of their business, ensuring a smooth transition to heirs or partners.
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Changing Circumstances: As clients' lives and circumstances change over time, estate planning allows for more flexibility and adaptability in adjusting their estate plan to reflect new priorities or changes in the family structure.
Estate planning goes beyond just creating a will and involves a comprehensive approach to address various aspects of your financial and personal affairs. It can be especially beneficial for those with complex situations or specific goals beyond the basic distribution of assets. Consulting with a qualified estate planning solicitor is essential to ensure that you have a plan that aligns with your unique needs and objectives.
Meet Your Wills & Estate Planning Team
Penny McCreery, our principal solicitor, has a wealth of experience in assisting clients with Wills and Estate Planning. Whether you are a single a couple or a business owner with trusts and assets, Penny and the team's common-sense and personal approach will work to your advantage. MORE ABOUT TEAM HORIZON...
Contact Information:
Getting married, divorced, having a baby, traveling overseas, buying or selling a business, relocating to Queensland from interstate, whatever change is on your Horizon consider creating or updating your will or estate plan today. We provide packages for both couples and single individuals for Wills and Enduring Powers of Attorney. Call us to book a consultation today.