Money Expert

Geoffrey Armstrong

The Wills and Estates Specialist
‘Will my son have to pay CGT on his inheritance when I die?’
Geoffrey Armstrong avatarGeoffrey Armstrong
Estate planning
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Providing your children with a home gives them a strong financial base to build off later in life. Source: Getty.
End-of-life planning

‘Are there any tax pitfalls if I buy each of my four children a house?’

‘Are there any tax pitfalls if I buy each of my four children a house?’

Almost $2M worth of property, a will and a threat of forfeiture - this is a tricky one!
Can you trust a verbal agreement sealed with a handshake - even when it's with family? Source: Getty.
Money

‘My daughter broke her promise to pay off my mortgage, so what can I do?’

‘My daughter broke her promise to pay off my mortgage, so what can I do?’

Failing to get an agreement in writing could leave this 65-year-old losing a big chunk of her own home equity.
Being a beneficiary but not an executor of a will can leave people in the dark regarding their inheritance. Source: Getty.
Estate planning

‘How do I get info about my inheritance if I’m not executor of the will?’

‘How do I get info about my inheritance if I’m not executor of the will?’

"I have tried contacting the lawyer handling the estate to get any information but they refuse to even speak to me."
What's the time limit to contest someone's will? Geoffrey Armstrong explains. Source: Pexels.
Estate planning

‘Can I contest my late husband’s will, that gave our home to my stepson?’

‘Can I contest my late husband’s will, that gave our home to my stepson?’

"Simply being unaware of your right to contest a will most likely not sway the court."
What happens to your estate if your children and their partners break up? Geoffrey Armstrong explains. Source: Getty.
End-of-life planning

‘How do I pass my estate on to my children without including their partners?’

‘How do I pass my estate on to my children without including their partners?’

A reader wants to protect their assets in case their adult children's relationships fizzle out.
Sometimes remarrying can complicate the situation when it comes to estate planning. Source: Getty.
Estate planning

‘How can I leave my kids out of my will to make sure my new wife gets it all?’

‘How can I leave my kids out of my will to make sure my new wife gets it all?’

"Whilst the law differs slightly in each jurisdiction children are certainly within the category of 'claimant'."
Your hands are somewhat tied by the legislation in your state or territory when it comes to protecting your estate from estranged children. Source: Getty.
End-of-life planning

‘How do I stop my estranged child from making a claim on my estate?’

‘How do I stop my estranged child from making a claim on my estate?’

"I've been estranged from my son for 15 years, since I refused to be his guarantor on a risky investment property."
De facto relationships are a massive grey area in life but having a will is one of the best ways to gain some clarity on the situation. Source: Getty.
Estate planning

‘How do I make sure my kids get my assets instead of my de facto partner?’

‘How do I make sure my kids get my assets instead of my de facto partner?’

"The crucial point here is that you must keep control of your assets."

About Geoffrey Armstrong

Geoffrey Armstrong is a special counsel and a member of the wills and estates team at Brisbane law firm Bennett & Philp Lawyers. Geoff was admitted as a solicitor to the Supreme Court of England and Wales in 1984 and after a significant career as a sole practitioner, he brought his 30 years of experience to Bennett & Philp, where his specialty is in drafting wills and related documents, such as testamentary trusts, powers of attorney, advance health directives, as well as in estate administration. The firm’s wills and estates team advises a wide range of clients from individuals to business owners, with a focus on establishing long-term relationships and delivering practical solutions.