The Art of Estate Planning Podcast

The words ‘Saunders and Vautier’ may trigger flashbacks to your uni succession lectures, however you may be surprised by how relevant this 1841 case is, even in 2024. 

In this episode, Tara and Carrie unpack the surprising impact of Saunders v Vautier and the advantage that testamentary trusts have when navigating this doctrine. 

Watch the in-depth training about Saunders v Vautier here: https://youtu.be/15RnQoHQZc4?si=qHJE2muXe1NlFIL3 

When devising a testamentary trust strategy, one of the most sensitive decisions is deciding how much freedom a surviving spouse should have over the trust.

Should they have full control to adapt to whatever life throws at them?

Or should there be checks in place to protect the interests of the next generation?

In this episode, Tara and Carrie dive into the fine line between flexibility and control for surviving spouses.

We share practical tips for navigating this complex issue and how to frame these decisions in a way that makes clients feel confident and clear about their options.

Tune in to hear how to tackle this complex topic with clients and ensure their testamentary trusts reflects their values.

Add your thoughts to the discussion through our free Art of Estate Planning Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/artofestateplanning

Talking to business owners about succession planning can be tricky. How do you explain the complexities without overwhelming them or making them feel like you’re just upselling your services?

In this episode, we break down practical strategies for helping your business-owning clients understand their succession needs—without the confusion or pressure.

We share our tips on how to simplify the conversation, so your clients feel empowered, not intimidated.

Plus, we dive into key techniques to communicate value in a way that makes clients see succession planning as a must-do, not a nice-to-have.

Ready to make these conversations easier for both you and your clients?

Tune in for practical insights that will leave both you and your clients feeling more confident about their business succession plan.

Want to dive further? During this episode we discussed these resources

Entity Power of Attorney Precedent: https://www.theartofestateplanning.com.au/entitypowerofatttorney

Training “UPEs, Loans and Estate Planning”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1Y8rmoobn4&t=1s

More profit for you, better outcomes for your clients—it’s a win-win!

In Part 2 of this topic, we share our best tips on how to help your estate planning practice thrive, so you can thrill & delight your clients, all while living your best legal career!

Download our checklist “15 ways to maximise profit on your estate planning matters”: https://www.theartofestateplanning.com.au/freebie-15-ways-to-maximise-profit

Watch our video about how changing your will binding method can make your estate planning service more profitable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDr1GWlJDQk&t=21s

Want you to feel like you’re thriving in your estate planning practice?

A key step is making sure each matter is as profitable as possible, giving you more time and energy to reinvest into delivering the best possible outcomes for your clients.

Join us for Part 1 of this topic where we share our tips for boosting your firm’s profitability while delivering even more value to your clients.

We’re all about making your life easier so we’ve packaged up all 15 tips into a handy cheat sheet here: https://www.theartofestateplanning.com.au/freebie-15-ways-to-maximise-profit

It’s the million-dollar question (pun intended)—how much money do clients really need before a testamentary trust is worth considering? 

In this episode, Tara and Carrie step through when a testamentary trust will make sense from a financial perspective.  

If you’ve ever been unsure about when to recommend a testamentary trust based on the size of your client’s asset pool, this episode will give you the clarity you need. 

Download your free checklist “Top 10 mistakes when nominating financial controllers” here.

Watch our detailed training on the practical steps of setting up a testamentary trust here.

The rise of online will providers is changing the game, and clients are finding it harder to tell who's the real deal and who’s just offering a cheap, one-size-fits-all solution.

In this episode we chat about why your expertise is worth more than a cookie-cutter solution and how to confidently price your services to reflect the value you bring. Spoiler: it's not about matching their price—it's about standing out.

If you want to stand out in a crowded market and help clients see why your services are worth every dollar, this episode is a must-listen.

Want to share your thoughts? Join us in the Art of Estate Planning Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/artofestateplanning

The family home is the golden goose of assets – it’s one of the last assets we can own tax free. So does it belong in a testamentary trust?

In this episode, Tara and Carrie dive into the nitty-gritty of putting the family home into a trust. We cover everything from asset protection to tax perks, plus what happens when you put that golden goose under the trustee’s wing.

Is it the right call for your clients, or could it lead to more complications?

Tune in to hear us break down the pros, cons, and key points to keep in mind when guiding clients through this tricky decision.

Want to share your thoughts? Join us in the Art of Estate Planning Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/artofestateplanning

This week, we switch gears to talk about something that can make or break your estate planning practice: the customer experience.

We dive into the top things clients hate about working with law firms—from confusing processes to bad timing—and how these pain points can impact your business.

More importantly, we’ll share practical strategies to turn these frustrations into opportunities for client satisfaction and loyalty.

If you want to keep your clients delighted and your firm thriving, this episode is a must-listen.

Find out more at www.taralucke.com.au

In this episode, Tara and Carrie tackle a common dilemma in estate planning: how much flexibility should trustees of testamentary trusts for minors have, and how can we prevent them from abusing that power?

We explore the delicate balance between empowering trustees to adapt to unforeseen circumstances and the risks of giving them too much control.

Should we give trustees with wide discretion, or is it safer to limit their scope and pass control to potentially financially immature beneficiaries at age 18?

Join us as we weigh the pros and cons and share practical tips on what to consider when advising clients on this crucial decision.

Download your free checklist “Top 10 mistakes when nominating financial controllers” here.