When Peter and Sue, successful Melbourne professionals with a substantial asset portfolio, sat down to plan their estate, they faced a question that troubles many high-net-worth families: how can we ensure our hard-earned wealth is protected and benefits our children and grandchildren long after we are gone? A simple will just wouldn’t cut it. Their...

The proposed Division 296 tax, targeting superannuation balances over $3 million, presents a significant challenge for many Australians. This additional 15% tax on investment earnings above the threshold effectively doubles the tax rate on those earnings to 30%, making sophisticated mitigation strategies a necessity for high-balance super members. While the legislation has lapsed and will...

Inheritance disputes are on the rise across Australia, and Victoria is no exception. With over 10% of wills facing legal challenges and 74% of disputes resulting in modified distributions, it’s essential for Victorian families to plan carefully to protect both their assets and family relationships. The Victorian Legal Landscape Victoria’s succession law is governed primarily...

Transferring personal assets into a family trust is a popular vehicle for wealth protection and estate planning. The advantages are well-publicised—asset shielding, tax planning, succession control—but the legal mechanics behind the transfer are often overlooked. As accountant Geoff Gartly notes, family trusts can serve as a flexible and central structure for managing investments. This post...