Wills & Estate Planning
Comprehensive Wills and Estate Planning Services in Australia
Expert Wills and Estate Planning Guidance Tailored to Your Needs
At Astoria Legal, we understand that your legacy, your family’s future, and your financial security are of utmost importance. Estate planning is more than just drafting a Will—it’s about protecting what matters most and ensuring your wishes are carried out effectively.
Our expert estate planning lawyers provide tailored legal solutions designed to secure your assets, minimise potential disputes, and offer maximum financial protection. Whether you have a complex estate or straightforward needs, our personalised approach ensures your estate plan reflects your unique situation and goals.
By working with Astoria Legal, you gain peace of mind knowing that your loved ones will be taken care of, your assets will be distributed according to your wishes, and your financial legacy will be preserved. We take the time to understand your circumstances and craft a comprehensive estate plan that safeguards your interests while reducing stress and uncertainty for your family.
Take a look at some of our Wills and Estate Planning Law services we offer our clients
Personalised Will Drafting & Estate Planning
Powers of Attorney
Probate & Estate Administration
Testamentary Trusts
Estate Litigation & Will Disputes
Trust Structuring & Asset Protection
International Wills
Cross Boarder Estate Planning between Australia and the United States
Minimising Estate Disputes
The Importance of a Legally Sound Will
A legally sound Will is the cornerstone of any effective estate plan. Without a properly drafted and executed Will, your assets may not be distributed according to your wishes, leaving your loved ones vulnerable to financial hardship, legal battles, and unnecessary stress. A poorly structured or outdated Will can result in:
Family disputes – Unclear language or ambiguities in a Will can lead to disagreements and costly litigation among beneficiaries.
Unintended beneficiaries – If your Will is not legally valid, state laws may dictate how your estate is distributed, potentially overriding your wishes.
Increased taxation – Without proper planning, your estate could be exposed to unnecessary tax liabilities, reducing the inheritance left to your loved ones.
Delays in asset distribution – A flawed or contested Will can lead to lengthy probate processes, delaying access to assets for those who need them.
At Astoria Legal, we ensure that your Will is legally binding, crystal clear, and strategically structured to protect your assets and beneficiaries. Our expertise in estate planning law, taxation, and wealth management allows us to craft Wills that minimise disputes, reduce tax burdens, and ensure seamless asset distribution. Whether you need a straightforward Will or a complex estate plan involving trusts and business interests, our tailored approach provides the security and certainty you and your family deserve.
Probate & Estate Administration – Expert Guidance for Executors
The probate and estate administration process can be legally complex, time-consuming, and overwhelming for executors. At Astoria Legal, we provide expert guidance to executors, ensuring that they fulfil their legal duties while efficiently managing the distribution of the deceased’s assets.
Our estate administration services include:
Applying for Probate or Letters of Administration – Assisting executors in obtaining the legal authority to administer the estate.
Managing Assets & Liabilities – Identifying, valuing, and distributing estate assets in accordance with the Will or intestacy laws.
Handling Estate Disputes – Resolving conflicts that may arise among beneficiaries or contested Wills.
Ensuring Legal Compliance – Guiding executors through taxation obligations, debts, and other estate responsibilities.
Whether you are an executor needing professional support or a beneficiary seeking clarity on the estate administration process, Astoria Legal ensures a seamless and legally sound process.
Testamentary Trust Lawyers
Estate planning is not just about distributing wealth—it’s about securing your legacy.
Testamentary trusts are an excellent way to provide financial security to your loved ones while protecting assets from potential risks such as creditors, relationship breakdowns, or irresponsible spending. Our estate planning lawyers are highly skilled in structuring trusts that maximise asset protection and tax benefits for beneficiaries.
Protect Your Wealth and Secure Your Family’s Future with Testamentary Trusts
Why are Testamentary Trusts Essential for Protecting Your Legacy
Testamentary trust are one of the most powerful estate planning tools, offering unparalleled asset protection, tax efficiency, and financial security for your loved ones and beneficiaries. Unlike a simple Will, which distributes assets outright, a testamentary trust ensures controlled, tax-effective, and protected wealth distribution—preserving your legacy for generations to come. As a result, testamentary trust provides long-term safeguards that ensure wealth is protected, preserved, and distributed as you intended.
Properly structured testamentary trust offers significant benefits, including:
✅ Superior Asset Protection – Shields inheritance from creditors, legal disputes, family breakdowns, and irresponsible financial decisions, ensuring assets remain secure for future generations.
✅ Significant Tax Advantages – Allows income splitting among beneficiaries, including minors, who can receive tax-free distributions up to the tax-free threshold, substantially reducing the family’s overall tax burden.
✅ Control Over Wealth Distribution – Enables customised distribution rules, ensuring assets are managed according to the grantor’s wishes and preventing premature depletion by beneficiaries.
✅ Protection from Relationship Breakdowns – Reduces the risk of assets being lost in a divorce or de facto separation, safeguarding wealth within the family.
✅ Long-Term Financial Security – Provides structured financial management for beneficiaries who may be young, vulnerable, or financially inexperienced, ensuring a steady, protected inheritance over time.
For those serious about protecting their assets for generations, Astoria Legal delivers elite estate planning solutions tailored to individual needs.
Estate planning is not just about drafting documents—it’s about building a robust strategy that protects wealth for generations. Testamentary trusts form a core pillar of our asset protection practice, and our firm’s unrivaled expertise in law, tax, and accounting makes us uniquely positioned to design sophisticated, tailored solutions.
With licenses in both Australian and U.S. law, including New York, as well as expertise in accounting, we offer a level of strategic insight that few firms can match. This dual expertise allows us to craft testamentary trusts that maximize financial benefits, navigate complex tax laws, and provide important asset security.
High-net-worth individuals, business owners, and families seeking the best in estate planning turn to Astoria Legal because we anticipate risks, structure wealth with precision, and ensure that our client’s legacy is fortified against legal, financial, and personal uncertainties.
For those who demand the highest level of expertise and strategic foresight, Astoria Legal offers an unmatched advantage. Contact us today for a confidential consultation and take the first step toward securing a lasting financial legacy.
Estate Disputes – Challenging or Contesting a Will
Understanding Estate Disputes
Estate disputes can arise for various reasons, including claims of unfair distribution, undue influence, or concerns over the mental capacity of the deceased at the time of making their Will. These disputes can be legally complex and emotionally charged, requiring expert legal guidance.
Contesting a Will
You may be eligible to contest a Will if you believe you have been unfairly excluded or not adequately provided for. Family provision claims allow eligible persons, such as spouses, children, and dependants, to seek a fair share of the estate.
Challenging the Validity of a Will
A Will may be challenged if there are concerns about:
Lack of testamentary capacity – If the deceased was not of sound mind when making their Will.
Undue influence – If the deceased was pressured into making certain provisions.
Fraud or forgery – If the Will is suspected to be fraudulent or tampered with.
Defending a Will
If you are an executor or beneficiary of a Will that is being contested, we may be able to provide strong legal representation to defend the estate and try to ensure that the deceased’s wishes are upheld.
International Wills & Cross-Border Estate Planning – Australia & USA
Estate planning becomes significantly more complex when assets, beneficiaries, or legal obligations span multiple countries. At Astoria Legal, we can provide advice in international Wills and cross-border estate planning, particularly between Australia and the United States.
Our firm is uniquely positioned to assist clients with dual-country assets and legal obligations due to our qualifications in both Australia and New York. This allows us to navigate the differences in probate laws, taxation, and succession rules between jurisdictions with our vast span of associates who work with us in providing expert services. Without proper legal planning, estates with international elements may face delays, unnecessary taxes, and legal disputes.
Our expertise includes:
- Drafting Wills
- Ensuring seamless probate and estate administration across borders.
- Assisting expatriates and dual citizens with estate planning needs.
With a strong background in law, finance, and business ownership, Astoria Legal provides unparalleled expertise in international estate planning. Whether you need a Will drafted, or require guidance on how to best protect assets, our team can help to ensure your estate plan is legally sound, tax-efficient, and tailored to your unique circumstances.
Why Choose Astoria Legal for Your Estate Planning Needs?
At Astoria Legal, our expertise is unmatched. Led by a highly qualified principal lawyer, our firm boasts credentials in both Australia and New York, along with qualified accounting expertise that provides a unique financial and legal perspective on estate planning. This rare combination allows us to deliver strategic, tax-efficient estate plans that maximise asset protection and financial security.
Unlike many law firms that focus solely on the legal aspects of Wills and estates, we can integrate accounting expertise to ensure a comprehensive approach. Our deep understanding of taxation, asset structuring and planning enables us to craft estate plans that provide tax efficient arrangements, protect family wealth, and prevent costly disputes, giving you peace of mind.
Beyond legal and accounting expertise, our principal lawyer has extensive business ownership experience, including leadership roles in law firms and the building industry. This real-world experience provides invaluable insight into business succession planning, asset protection, and wealth management. If you own a business, property, or significant investments, you need an estate planning firm that understands the intersection of law, accounting, and business strategy.
This level of expertise and practical experience sets Astoria Legal apart from other firms. When you choose us, you’re not just hiring a lawyer—you’re engaging a firm with proven legal, financial, and business acumen to ensure your estate planning needs are met with the highest level of precision and care.
Contact Us
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Call us on 0407 866 899
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Email us on enquire@astorialegal.com.au