SPEAK WITH AN ESTATE PLANNING LAWYER IN SHELLHARBOUR

Many people are surprised to learn that not all assets automatically fall under the instructions of a Will. Without the right planning, certain assets could pass to unintended beneficiaries, trigger avoidable tax outcomes, or impact pension eligibility.

For example, do you co-own your home with a spouse or partner? Structuring ownership correctly—such as holding property jointly or placing certain assets outside your estate—can offer stronger protection and help reduce costs in the long run. In New South Wales, stamp duty is currently not payable when transferring a half-share in your home to a spouse or de facto partner, which may make it a worthwhile option to explore now.

At Kells, we work with you to review your asset structure and provide advice that reflects your goals, helping you make informed decisions about how your estate is handled.

For many Australians, superannuation makes up a large part of their overall wealth. But have you reviewed who stands to receive your death benefit? In some cases, trustees have the discretion to decide how these benefits are distributed, which may not always reflect your intentions.

By making a binding nomination, you can help provide clarity around your wishes and reduce the risk of disputes. It's worth reviewing your current arrangement to see whether a formal update is needed.

Speak with our estate planning team to book a comprehensive review of your superannuation and related documents.

We offer clients a secure storage service for their original estate documents, free of charge. These are held in our strongroom and can be accessed at any time by you or someone you authorise in writing. If another person collects on your behalf, we require written consent along with a certified copy of your ID.

For added peace of mind, we also suggest keeping duplicate copies at home or in a safety deposit box. Be sure to let your executor, attorney, or nominated decision-maker know that we are holding the originals securely at our office.