29+ Years advising Australians
6,000+ Clients across the country
$2.5B Funds under advice
6 Offices nationally
— Why estate planning matters
Without a plan, the law
decides for you.
A surprising number of Australians have no will, an outdated will, or a will that hasn't been reviewed since a major life change. The consequences — for your family and your estate — can be significant.
01
Do you have a will that's been written with tax efficiency and estate protection in mind?
02
Are there sufficient assets to provide for your dependants or loved ones in the event of your death or incapacity?
03
Have you considered who to trust with raising your children, and managing your estate?
04
Do you understand what will happen to your superannuation when you die — and who will actually receive it?
05
Do you have assets or structures that would not be controlled by your will, such as trusts, businesses or an SMSF?
06
Are you exposed to risks beyond death — such as being sued, losing mental capacity, or financial difficulty?
07
Do those around you know what assets you have and what to do if something happens to you?
If you answered no — or "I'm not sure" — to any of these, an estate planning review is one of the most important things you can do this year.
— What we cover
Every element of a
complete estate plan.
Wills & personal documents
- Will preparation (coordinated with your solicitor)
- Enduring power of attorney
- Appointment of enduring guardian
- Advanced care directives
- Letter of wishes
- Regular review as circumstances change
Superannuation & SMSF
- Binding death benefit nominations
- Non-lapsing nominations
- Reversionary pension strategies
- SMSF trust deed and succession provisions
- Tax treatment of super death benefits
- Review of existing nominations
Structures & tax
- Testamentary trust strategies
- Family trust succession planning
- Capital gains and estate tax planning
- Business succession and buy/sell agreements
- Asset protection strategies
- Cross-ownership and joint asset review
— The AGS difference
Your estate plan
fits your financial plan.
Estate planning done in isolation often produces plans that are legally valid but financially suboptimal. A will that hasn't been reviewed alongside your super strategy might direct your super to the wrong people — or trigger unnecessary tax. A testamentary trust that hasn't been structured alongside your investment portfolio might not capture the benefits it was designed for.
At AGS, your estate planning is designed alongside your financial plan, your SMSF strategy and your accounting. Your planner, accountant and estate planning specialist work together — so every element fits.
- —Coordinated with your super — Super doesn't automatically go to your estate. We review your nominations alongside your SMSF strategy and financial plan to ensure they align.
- —Tax-effective structures — Testamentary trusts and estate structures are designed with tax efficiency in mind — coordinated with your accounting team.
- —Plain English — We explain what each element of your plan means, what it does, and why — so you make informed decisions, not just sign documents.
— Questions answered
Estate planning
questions.
Can't find what you need? Call us on (02) 9966 8188.
Does my super automatically go to my estate?
No — and this surprises many people. Superannuation sits outside your estate and is not automatically controlled by your will. Instead, it is paid by the fund's trustee, guided by any death benefit nomination you have in place. Without a valid, up-to-date binding nomination, the trustee has discretion over who receives your super. We review your nominations as part of every estate planning engagement.
What is a testamentary trust and do I need one?
A testamentary trust is a trust created within your will that takes effect when you die. It can provide significant tax advantages for your beneficiaries — particularly children who receive investment income — and can offer asset protection benefits. Whether you need one depends on the size and composition of your estate and your family circumstances. We assess this as part of your estate planning review.
I already have a will. Do I still need to review it?
Yes — particularly if your will was written more than five years ago, or if your circumstances have changed (marriage, divorce, children, significant assets, business, SMSF). A will that was appropriate when written can become outdated or suboptimal. An annual or biennial review is usually sufficient.
What is a power of attorney and do I need one?
An enduring power of attorney authorises someone to manage your financial and legal affairs if you lose mental capacity. Without one, your family may need to apply to the courts to manage your affairs — a slow, expensive and stressful process. An enduring guardian appointment covers medical and personal decisions. Both are important parts of a complete estate plan.
How much does estate planning cost?
Costs vary depending on the complexity of your estate and the structures involved. We provide a clear, fixed-fee quote before any work begins. For most clients, the cost is modest compared to the tax and family outcomes it secures.
What if I already have a financial planner or accountant I want to keep?
That's no problem. Estate planning is naturally collaborative — we regularly work with a client's existing financial planner and accountant to align super death benefit nominations, ownership structures and tax outcomes. You don't need to change advisers to get the integrated picture.