{"id":39,"date":"2025-10-20T11:17:26","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T01:17:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goldcoast-lawyers.com\/blog\/?p=39"},"modified":"2025-10-20T13:54:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T03:54:26","slug":"a-complete-guide-to-estate-planning-in-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goldcoast-lawyers.com\/blog\/a-complete-guide-to-estate-planning-in-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"A Complete Guide to Estate Planning in Australia: How to Protect Your Legacy and Reduce the Risk of Litigation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For most Australians, the central goal of preparing a Will is to provide for their loved ones. However, estate planning is a far broader, more proactive, and critical process than merely signing that single document. It represents a responsible strategy for managing your assets, health, and financial affairs throughout your lifetime, ensuring your wishes are followed and your legacy is protected after you pass away.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Australia, the failure to plan properly can lead to severe consequences for your family:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Family Conflict:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Disputes over assets, particularly sentimental items or significant property, can permanently damage relationships.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Expensive Litigation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Unclear intentions or a vulnerable Will can result in costly and lengthy court battles that diminish the value of the estate for all beneficiaries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Intestacy:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Dying without a Will (intestate) means the law, not your wishes, dictates how your assets are distributed, which may leave dependent family members unprovided for.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The aim of a comprehensive estate plan is to protect your legacy, minimise tax implications, and drastically reduce the risk of litigation and stress for those you care about most.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What is Estate Planning?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Estate planning is the comprehensive process of arranging your affairs to manage and transfer your assets in the most efficient and protected manner. It is not a one-off task but an evolving plan that manages three core issues: who receives your assets, who manages your financial and health affairs if you lose capacity, and who cares for your minor children.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key elements of an Australian estate plan include:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Document\/Element<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Role<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last Will and Testament<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Specifies how your estate (assets in your personal name) will be distributed, appoints an Executor (which can be an individual or an entity like the <\/span><b>Public Trustee<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) to manage the process, and appoints guardians for any minor dependents.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appoints a trusted person to make financial and property decisions for you while you are alive, but lose the mental capacity to do so yourself.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enduring Power of Guardianship (EPG)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appoints a trusted person to make health and lifestyle decisions for you if you lose capacity, determining matters like where you live and what treatment you receive.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advance Health Directive (AHD)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Legally documents your specific instructions regarding future medical treatments and end-of-life care.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Superannuation Nominations<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Directs your Superannuation Trustee on who should receive your superannuation death benefit. Importantly, superannuation is a non-estate asset unless specifically directed to your Estate.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Testamentary Trusts<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trusts established under the terms of your Will, often including the ability to structure a family trust for tax advantages and long-term asset protection for beneficiaries.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Life Insurance<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides a lump-sum payment to beneficiaries to ensure financial stability, acting as an important financial insurance policy to replace lost income.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Business Succession Plan<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provisions within the plan that determine the transfer of control of business entities (companies, trusts, partnerships) upon incapacity or death.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>The Role of Probate and Estate Administration<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once a person passes away, their estate must be administered. The Executor&#8217;s first major step is often to apply to the Supreme Court of Queensland for a Grant of Probate (if a valid Will exists) or Letters of Administration (if there is no Will, or the Will is invalid).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Probate is the legal validation of the Will, confirming its authenticity and the Executor&#8217;s authority to act. Most financial institutions and land registries require a Grant of Probate before allowing the Executor to deal with major assets.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Executor\u2019s Legal Duties in QLD<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An Executor in Queensland is a fiduciary and must act in the best interests of the estate. Their duties include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identifying and collecting all assets.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paying all estate debts, taxes, and funeral expenses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following the strict legal process for distribution, including advertising to creditors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Distributing the residual estate to the named beneficiaries.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Issues that commonly arise during administration are often linked to poor planning: executors being challenged by disgruntled beneficiaries, difficulties in asset valuation, or the estate being unable to meet immediate debts due to poor liquidity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Common Causes and Alternatives to Estate Litigation in Australia<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Litigation most often arises when the Will-maker had a moral obligation to provide for someone but failed to do so adequately. However, even the &#8220;perfect&#8221; Will can be challenged.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Family Provision Claims (Succession Act 1981 (Qld))<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common form of challenge is a Family Provision Claim brought under the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Succession Act 1981 (Qld)<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This legislation allows certain eligible applicants to apply to the Supreme Court for provision (or greater provision) if they believe they have been left without adequate provision for their proper maintenance and support.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Who can contest a Will in Queensland?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eligible applicants are defined as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A spouse (including a husband, wife, de facto partner, and, in some cases, a dependent former spouse).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A child (including natural children, adopted children, and stepchildren).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A dependant (a person who was wholly or substantially maintained or supported by the deceased at the time of death and is a parent of the deceased, the parent of a surviving minor child of the deceased, or a person under the age of 18).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court will consider the applicant\u2019s financial needs, the size of the estate, and the nature of their relationship with the deceased (including estrangement or conduct that may warrant disentitlement or reduction).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Deeds of Family Arrangement (DOFA): The Collaborative Solution,<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As an alternative to costly and uncertain court litigation, a Deed of Family Arrangement (DOFA) provides a comparatively inexpensive and fast option to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abkj.com.au\/articles\/settling-estates-disputes-between-queensland-families\/\">resolve estate disputes<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A DOFA is a legally binding contractual arrangement between all interested parties (beneficiaries, executors, and claimants) to override the original Will or intestacy laws and alter the distribution of the estate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>When is a DOFA appropriate?<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To address an unfair distribution or where the deceased died intestate.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To address vagueness or ambiguity in a &#8220;home-made&#8221; Will.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When parties seek a more tax-effective distribution of the estate, complex tax advice is crucial.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a negotiated settlement to avoid a Family Provision Claim going to trial.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because a DOFA requires the comprehensive agreement of <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">all<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> interested parties, it avoids the conflict and uncertainty of litigation, providing family members with closure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Minimise the Risk of Estate Litigation<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While a contest can\u2019t be prevented, the risks, costs, and likelihood of success for a claimant can be greatly minimised through foresight and careful drafting.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Six Key Ways to Protect Your Will<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best defence against a challenge is a robust Will prepared with guidance from experienced<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abkj.com.au\/wills-estates-gold-coast.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">estate lawyers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Choose Your Executor Wisely<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An Executor who is emotionally invested can unintentionally cause legal fees to skyrocket due to disagreements and distrust. If you anticipate a dispute, consider appointing a neutral, independent person or a professional entity, such as the Public Trustee, to act as your Executor.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Be Clear and Specific<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid general bequests like \u2018my jewellery to be divided equally.\u2019 Be specific about which assets go to which person. For personal effects, you can place a detailed list or photographs with your Will (though not legally binding, it provides the Executor guidance).<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Use Trusts for Protection<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider using Testamentary Trusts or Protective (Spendthrift) Trusts not just for minors, but to shield an inheritance from a beneficiary&#8217;s creditors, lawsuits, or a potential divorce settlement. This ensures the protection offered by a family trust continues for the next generation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Avoid Personal Statements<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are intentionally omitting a relative, avoid including personal explanations in the Will document itself. These comments can incense the person, triggering litigation out of malice. In some cases, being silent is the best defence.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Provide Instructions Privately<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To avoid allegations of undue influence, always provide instructions to your solicitor and sign your Will on your own. Do not allow beneficiaries or relatives to accompany you during these critical meetings.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Confirm Your Capacity<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are older or have a medical condition that could raise doubts, obtain a letter from your General Practitioner confirming you were of sound mind when you signed your Will. This medical evidence, kept with your Will, is an invaluable defence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Other Protective Measures<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Moving or Shifting Assets:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Assets held as joint tenants (not tenants in common) pass directly by the rule of survivorship and do not form part of the estate. Similarly, certain assets can be held in a Discretionary Trust for tax-effective distribution and creditor protection.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Address Business Succession:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ensure your plan covers the continuity of any business, including the control of company directorships or trust appointments, to prevent the business from stalling upon your death.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Keep Your Plan Updated:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Life events are the single biggest cause of an outdated and vulnerable estate plan.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>When and Why to Review Your Estate Plan<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An estate plan is a dynamic document that must evolve with your life. A document created ten years ago is unlikely to adequately reflect your current legal and financial reality.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Life Events that Trigger Review<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You must review your Will upon:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Marriage:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Marriage generally revokes a previous Will in Queensland.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Divorce or Separation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Separation does not revoke a Will, but divorce automatically revokes gifts to and appointments of a former spouse (though the rest remains valid).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>New Children\/Grandchildren:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Changes to family structure require an immediate update, including the appointment of guardians.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Major Asset Changes:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Buying or selling property, establishing or exiting a business, or receiving a significant inheritance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Executor\/Beneficiary Death:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If a key person named in your Will passes away, the document must be updated to ensure the fallback provisions work.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The risks of outdated or informal &#8220;DIY&#8221; Wills are immense. Home-made documents frequently fail to meet strict legal formalities, use ambiguous language, or do not adequately account for modern asset structures (like superannuation or trusts), making them an easy target for a legal challenge.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Choose the Right Estate Planning Lawyer<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Estate planning is not a one-size-fits-all product; it is a complex process of risk mitigation and legal structuring. The stakes are too high to rely on general advice.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Importance of Specialist Advice<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You need specialist legal advice to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Draft Valid, Enforceable Documents:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ensuring compliance with Queensland\u2019s strict legal formalities (e.g., the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.qld.gov.au\/view\/html\/inforce\/current\/act-1981-069\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Succession Act 1981<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Anticipate Disputes:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> An experienced litigator can spot the areas of your life that make your Will vulnerable to a Family Provision Claim and proactively structure the Will to defend against them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ensure Compliance with QLD Law:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Navigating the state-specific complexities of capacity, Enduring Powers of Attorney, and intestacy rules, and the distinction between an EPA (finance) and EPG (health).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choosing a firm with considerable experience in Wills, Estate Administration, and Estate Litigation, both defending and challenging Wills, ensures your lawyer understands the weaknesses they are trying to protect against.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ABKJ Lawyers have the knowledge and experience to provide this comprehensive legal advice, assisting clients across the Gold Coast with complex estate planning and litigation matters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Estate planning is an act of love and responsibility. It&#8217;s about protecting your family from unnecessary conflict, preserving your hard-earned legacy, and ensuring certainty during a difficult time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proactive planning with specialist guidance is the only way to significantly reduce the risk of disputes, high legal costs, and the emotional stress of litigation for your loved ones. Don&#8217;t wait for a crisis to secure your future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To discuss your unique circumstances and obtain tailored legal advice on estate planning and litigation risk management, contact a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goldcoast-lawyers.com\/find-a-lawyer.html\">specialist legal professional<\/a> today.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>What is the difference between estate planning and making a Will?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Will is a single legal document that deals exclusively with assets held in your personal name at death. Estate planning is the broader strategy: it encompasses your Will, Superannuation nominations, Enduring Power of Attorney, and Advance Health Directive to manage your assets and decisions throughout life and after death. This comprehensive approach often incorporates tools like a family trust or an effective insurance policy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Who can contest a Will in Queensland?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Succession Act 1981 (Qld)<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, only eligible applicants can contest a Will via a Family Provision Claim. These include a spouse, a child (including stepchildren), or a dependant who was substantially maintained by the deceased.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Can I leave my estate to whomever I wish?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the law respects a testator&#8217;s freedom to dispose of their assets, it is subject to a moral obligation to provide for those in the eligible applicant categories (spouse, child, dependant). If you exclude an eligible person, the Court has the power to override your wishes and make an order for proper provision from your estate.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Can superannuation be contested as part of my estate?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Superannuation is typically safe from Will contests because it is a non-estate asset governed by the fund&#8217;s trust deed, not your Will. The only exceptions are when your nomination is non-binding (giving the Trustee discretion) or when you specifically direct the funds to be paid to your Estate. In those cases, the funds become estate property and can be subject to a Family Provision Claim. <\/span>(<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be sure to check your fund&#8217;s rules, as many binding nominations lapse after 3 years unless you have specifically made a non-lapsing nomination.)<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What is a family provision claim?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is a legal application to the Supreme Court of Queensland by an eligible person (spouse, child, or dependant) who alleges they have been left without adequate provision for their proper maintenance and support from the deceased&#8217;s estate.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>How can I reduce the chances of my Will being challenged?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best approach is proactive: appoint a neutral Executor (or the Public Trustee), be specific in your bequests, use protective trusts for beneficiaries, provide instructions to your lawyer privately, and obtain a doctor\u2019s certificate of capacity if necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Do I need a lawyer to make a Will, or can I do it myself?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While you <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> use a DIY Will kit, it is strongly discouraged. Minor technical errors in execution or ambiguous drafting are the most common reasons a Will fails or is successfully challenged. A lawyer ensures your Will is legally valid and specifically drafts clauses to protect against future litigation, making the professional cost an investment in peace of mind.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What happens if I die without a valid Will in Queensland?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you die intestate, your assets are distributed according to a strict legislative formula set out in the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Succession Act 1981 (Qld)<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This process dictates who receives what (usually starting with a spouse and children, then next of kin) and may not align with your wishes, potentially leaving your partner or a stepchild unprovided for.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For most Australians, the central goal of preparing a Will is to provide for their loved ones. However, estate planning is a far broader, more proactive, and critical process than merely signing that single document. It represents a responsible strategy for managing your assets, health, and financial affairs throughout your lifetime, ensuring your wishes are &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goldcoast-lawyers.com\/blog\/a-complete-guide-to-estate-planning-in-australia\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;A Complete Guide to Estate Planning in Australia: How to Protect Your Legacy and Reduce the Risk of Litigation&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Guide to Estate Planning in Australia | Protect Your Legacy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to protect your legacy with this comprehensive guide to estate planning in Australia. 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