Ferncourt Advice | Financial Planning

Good estate planning is about more than a will

Most people think of estate planning as simply having a will in place. But for individuals with significant assets, superannuation, investments or business interests, the decisions involved are far more complex — and the consequences of getting them wrong can be significant and irreversible.

We take a genuine interest in our clients' estate planning and provide financial advice on the considerations that affect how your wealth is structured and passed on. Where it's helpful, we accompany clients to meetings with their solicitors to ensure the financial strategy and the legal documentation are fully aligned.

Superannuation and death benefits

Superannuation does not automatically form part of your estate. How your super is handled at death depends on your beneficiary nominations and the rules of your fund — and getting this wrong can result in significant and unnecessary tax for your family.

Binding vs non-binding death benefit nominations — and why the distinction matters
Tax on super death benefits paid to non-dependants
Strategies to minimise tax on super paid to adult children
Reversionary pensions for surviving spouses

Beneficiary nominations

Life insurance policies also require careful nomination of beneficiaries. We review and advise on all your nominations to ensure they reflect your current wishes and are structured in the most tax-effective way — including whether nominations should be made inside or outside superannuation.

Testamentary trusts

A testamentary trust is established by your will and comes into effect upon your death. It can offer significant advantages — particularly where beneficiaries include minors or vulnerable individuals — including concessional tax rates on income distributed to children under 18, and protection of assets from beneficiary creditors or relationship breakdowns.

Tax-effective wealth transfer

The tax implications of passing wealth to the next generation can be substantial. We model different scenarios to help you understand the impact of your decisions and identify strategies to minimise the tax burden on your beneficiaries — whether through the timing of asset sales, the structuring of your estate, or superannuation contribution and withdrawal strategies.

Powers of attorney

Enduring Powers of Attorney — both financial and medical — are an essential part of any estate plan. They ensure that if you lose capacity, the right person has the legal authority to act on your behalf. We work with your solicitor to ensure these documents are in place and consistent with your broader financial arrangements.

Protecting vulnerable beneficiaries

Where beneficiaries have a disability, face creditor risk, or may not be well-placed to manage significant wealth themselves, specialist structures can provide important protections. We work alongside your solicitor to ensure the right arrangements are in place for those who matter most.

Working alongside your legal advisers

Estate planning sits at the intersection of financial advice and legal advice. We don't replace your solicitor — we work alongside them. We provide the financial analysis, structuring advice and long-term modelling that informs the legal documentation your solicitor prepares, ensuring both sides of your estate plan are aligned.

Many of our clients come to us having not reviewed their estate plan in years — or having never had one at all. It's easy to defer, but the consequences of leaving it too long are felt by the people you love most.

Discuss Your Estate Plan

Estate Planning