Estate Planning

By Handre Vlok – Principal Financial Planner at Altum Independent Financial Advice

We help clients consider how their assets, superannuation, beneficiary arrangements and financial affairs may be structured and coordinated as part of a broader estate planning strategy.

Estate planning involves more than preparing a Will. It may also include superannuation nominations, taxation considerations, asset ownership structures, planning for incapacity, family succession issues and intergenerational wealth transfer.

Handre has completed Core Skills training in Wills and Estates Collaborative Practice, supporting a more structured and interdisciplinary approach to estate planning and family succession discussions..

What We Focus On

• Estate planning considerations
• Superannuation death benefit nominations
• Estate taxation considerations
• Beneficiary structures
• Asset ownership considerations
• Coordination with legal professionals
• Collaborative support with estate lawyers and other professionals
• Estate planning integration with retirement strategies

While we do not provide legal services, we help identify financial planning considerations and work alongside your chosen legal professionals where appropriate.

Collaborative Estate Planning Support

Some estate planning matters involve more than technical documents. Family dynamics, blended families, superannuation death benefits, business interests, property ownership and inheritance expectations can all create complexity.

Through collaborative estate planning support, we can work alongside estate lawyers and other professional advisers to help clients understand the financial planning, superannuation, tax and wealth transfer issues involved.

We do not provide legal advice or prepare legal documents. Our role is to provide financial planning input and help coordinate the financial aspects of the estate planning process.

Additional Considerations

Estate planning strategies should consider:

• family circumstances,
• superannuation structures,
• business interests,
• taxation implications,
• and intergenerational wealth transfer objectives.

Legal documents should always be prepared and reviewed by appropriately qualified legal professionals.

Book a 20-minute introductory call to discuss your financial goals, ask initial questions and consider whether financial advice may assist.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does superannuation form part of my estate?

Superannuation does not automatically form part of your estate and may be distributed according to fund rules, nominations, and superannuation legislation.

What is a binding death benefit nomination?

A binding death benefit nomination is generally a direction to a superannuation trustee regarding how eligible death benefits should be paid, subject to fund rules and legislation.

Should estate plans be reviewed regularly?

Estate planning arrangements should generally be reviewed following major life events, changes in family circumstances, or significant financial changes.

Can Altum assist with collaborative estate planning matters?

Yes. Altum can provide financial planning input in collaborative estate planning and family succession matters, including modelling different scenarios, comparing options, and helping clients understand the financial trade-offs where superannuation, beneficiary arrangements, tax considerations, investments, asset ownership structures, cash flow or retirement income planning are relevant. We do not provide legal advice or prepare legal documents, and work alongside legal professionals where legal advice is required.

Useful Resources

MoneySmart – Wills and Powers of Attorney
ATO – Superannuation Death Benefits
Services Australia – What to Do When Someone Dies
Public Trustee and Guardian ACT

General Advice Warning

The information on this page is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your circumstances before acting on it, and seek personal financial advice where appropriate. Taxation, superannuation, investment, insurance and estate planning considerations can be complex and subject to change. Where tax, legal or other specialist advice is required, you should seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional.