Estate planning

Many Australians are unsure of what to do, in the case of a dementia diagnosis. Source: Getty

Health

What happens if I lose capacity due to dementia?

There are nearly half a million Australians living with dementia today, with that number potentially doubling across the next 25 years. Do you know what steps need to be taken, if diagnosed with dementia?

Written byAnna Hacker

Estate planning

Have the last word: How to avoid family will disputes

Have the last word: How to avoid family will disputes

The division of assets after someone's passing often sadly leads to family conflict, but potential issues can be avoided with the right planning, explains lawyer Marie Brownell.

Estate planning expertMarie Brownell

Family disputes over wills are all too common. Source: Getty

Estate planning

Trusts: What are they and how can they benefit you?

Trusts: What are they and how can they benefit you?

Establishing a trust as part of your estate plan can bring numerous benefits, from protecting assets and reducing tax to helping your favourite charities, explains Marie Brownell.

Estate planning expertMarie Brownell

Unlike other types of trust, which must come to an end within 80 years, charitable trusts can exist forever. Source: Getty

Estate planning

What happens if I lose capacity and don’t have legal documents in place?

What happens if I lose capacity and don’t have legal documents in place?

These statistics are a sobering reminder that it is crucial to get your estate planning affairs in order, James Kelly writes.

Wills and probate lawyerJames Kelly

If you haven’t organised it already, it's crucial you appoint an Enduring Power of Attorney. Source: Getty

Estate planning

Blended families: How to avoid arguments over inheritance

Blended families: How to avoid arguments over inheritance

It's important to give careful thought to your estate plan, to avoid creating a situation where some feel unfairly treated or excluded, Marie Brownell explains.

Estate planning expertMarie Brownell

Children from a first marriage often miss out when assets are divided. Source: Getty

End-of-life planning

Storing your will: Really bad real-life ideas and how to avoid them

Storing your will: Really bad real-life ideas and how to avoid them

Making a will is a great first step but it's not the only thing you need to do to ensure your wishes are enacted.

Money ExpertMichael Spiegel

Sometimes it's just better to be explicit about where you've stored your will. Source: Getty.

End-of-life planning

Appointing an overseas executor of your will? Here’s what you need to know

Appointing an overseas executor of your will? Here’s what you need to know

While many Aussies have friends and family overseas, nominating a foreign executor to your will can be fraught with potential issues, Marie Brownell explains.

Estate planning expertMarie Brownell

If you are new to Australia and have no close connections to someone who can act as the executor of your estate, you can choose to appoint a professional practitioner, such as a lawyer or a licensed trustee company. Source: Getty

Estate planning

Want to help save lives? It’s easier than you’d think! Here’s how…

Want to help save lives? It’s easier than you’d think! Here’s how…

There's a real need for more Aussies to say ‘yes’ to organ donation. Marie Brownell outlines the steps to take - and, no, it doesn't involve your driver's licence.

Estate planning expertMarie Brownell

In Australia, family members are asked to provide consent to organ donation before it can proceed. Source: Getty

Estate planning

The complete state-by-state guide to probate: Who needs it and when

The complete state-by-state guide to probate: Who needs it and when

If you're named as a loved one's executor, read up now to save confusion later.

Written byRachael Rosel

With different rules in each state, it's important to know the varying processes before doing anything else. Source: Getty.

Estate planning

How to spot when elderly loved ones are being manipulated for financial gain

How to spot when elderly loved ones are being manipulated for financial gain

Leigh Adams reveals the early warning signs a family member may be trying to unfairly access more of an estate and how to stop this in its tracks.

Money ExpertLeigh Adams

It's better to identify a potential problem early and nip it in the bud before it's too late. Source: Getty

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