Cooper Grace Ward has an estate planning and disputes team who provide assistance on estate planning and asset protection matters, as well as related revenue law and superannuation issues.

Estate Planning

We provide innovative estate planning advice and documentation including:

• Use of generational and direct descendant trust to “lock in” control of trust on death of current controllers
• Trust planning strategies (for duty exemptions)
• Strategies to transfer control of trustee and trading companies independently of client Wills
• Strategies to deal with superannuation assets in the event of death
• Gift and loan back strategies to shift value out of client’s estate to related trusts
• Risk management advice and strategies
• Use of flexibility and superannuation to minimise disputes
• Protecting assets from claims against the estate using joint tenancies
• Business succession arrangements.

Our philosophy is to work together with accountants and financial planners to create an appropriate estate planning strategy for our clients.

Estate Administration

We provide expert advice with caring, personal attention in relation to all estate administration matters, including:

• Probate applications and letters of administration
• Transfers of property
• Collection and distribution of assets
• Superannuation and tax advice.

Alex Hams, the former Probate Registrar for the Supreme Court of Queensland can assist with all agency work for filing probate applications and letters of administration and advise on unusual court applications in succession matters.

Estate Disputes

We also provide estate dispute resolutions and litigation services including:

• Disputes over Wills
• Bringing and defending family provision claims
• Disputes involving structures outside of the estate (trusts and companies)
• Guardianship tribunal work and protected estates
• Removal of executors.