It's a super common question when preparing an estate plan for a client who already has a family trust: "Can I just use my existing family trust? Why do I need a new testamentary trust"?

It might sound like the simplest option, but is gifting an inheritance to an existing family trust really the smarted move?

In this episode, we unpack the pros and cons of gifting to an existing family trust versus setting up a testamentary trust in the will. While both options might look similar at first glance, the differences can have big tax and asset protection implications.

And we've included a free comparison of the major differences between a family trust and a testamentary trust here.

If your clients have mentioned “just putting it in the family trust,” this episode will help you walk them through the real implications and drafting considerations.

One of the most powerful (and intimidating) features of testamentary trusts? Their ability to stream tax-free income to minors thanks to the excepted trust income rules.

If you start breaking out in a sweat the minute you have to start explaining HOW and WHY testamentary trusts offer such incredible tax free treatment for minors - this episode is for you!

And here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a tax expert to understand (and learn how to explain) this incredible benefit of a testamentary trust.

This is trust talk for non-tax lawyers. I break it down in plain English with real world scenarios about why this feature of testamentary trusts is a life changing silver lining for families who have just been through the worst moment of their lives.

Codicils seem like a tidy fix. A quick amendment. A low-cost update. But are codicils actually more trouble than they’re worth?

In this episode, we dig into the real risks behind the humble codicil — and whether using them is ever a good idea in modern estate planning.

We cover:

If you’ve ever had that uneasy feeling after executing a codicil — you’re not alone. This episode will help you weigh up the risks and walk your clients through the smartest (and safest) way forward.

They're seen as a “must-have” in estate planning. But… are Binding Death Benefit Nominations (BDBNs) actually essential for every client?

In this episode, we challenge the conventional wisdom around BDBNs — and ask whether we’ve all been giving them a little too much credit.

We unpack:

Want more information about your BDBN Precedent package for self managed super funds? Find out here.

In this episode, Tara chats with Lidia Vicca, founder of Vicca Law, about her bold career shift from being a top-tier litigator to running her own boutique estate planning firm.

After welcoming her first child, Lidia knew something had to change. The demanding hours, uncomfortable suits, the constant grind — it no longer aligned with the kind of life she wanted to build. So she did what many dream of (but few follow through on): she backed herself and built a firm from scratch, on her terms.

We chat about:  

If you’ve ever felt that quiet whisper to pivot, take back control, or find more meaning in your legal career — Lidia’s story will absolutely resonate.

Binding Death Benefit Nominations (BDBNs) — nearly every Australian super fund member has one, yet they remain one of the most misunderstood pieces of the estate planning puzzle.

Its frightening how many clients have accidently DIY-ed their succession plan for one of their biggest assets without realising how complex (and powerful) these nominations really are.

In this episode, we unpack:

What a BDBN is and why it carries so much legal weight

The difference between nominating a beneficiary directly vs the legal personal representative (LPR)

Common misconceptions when it comes to superannuation death benefits

How to guide clients toward better decisions when it comes to super and estate planning

If your clients assume their super will just “follow the will” — it’s time to gently bust that myth. And if you’ve ever found BDBNs confusing yourself, you’re not alone. Let’s untangle it all, together.

What happens when a top-tier tax lawyer trades Sydney harbour views for the quiet charm of regional WA? You get Bernadette Terry — founder of Great Southern Wills and an absolute gem in the estate planning space.

In this episode, we chat with Bernadette about her bold move from big law to boutique life in the coastal town of Albany, WA. She shares the highs, the challenges, and how she’s carved out a fulfilling and profitable niche practice far from the city grind.

If you’ve ever daydreamed about leaving the corporate hustle behind, this episode is your permission slip.

Welcome to 2025, where crypto wallets, NFTs, and digital assets are an everyday part of the estate planning conversation — and a growing challenge for lawyers.

In this podcast episode, crypto-consultant Jamie Reed will step us through best practice for:

With the end of financial year around the corner, it’s the perfect time to review what’s working in your firm... and what’s quietly eating into your profits.

So if your gut’s been whispering “should I be charging more?” — this episode is your cue to stop ignoring it.

In this timely episode, we unpack:

And if you’re ready to update your pricing but don’t want to start from scratch, we've got you covered with our estate planning pricing toolkit

This episode is for anyone who's curious about what it takes to stop dabbling and start getting serious about offering estate planning to your clients.

Whether you've seen how good us estate planning lawyers have it and want some of that freedom & joy for yourself, or you think estate planning could be a perfect complement to your existing specialisation - this episode lifts the lid on why estate planning is a booming industry, why estate planning is a highly profitable and enjoyable episode and why you don’t need to be an estate planning expert to start (you just need the right tools).

If the law hasn't been sparking joy for you lately - listen to this episode to see if estate planning could be the answer you've been looking for!

The two papers mentioned in this episode are: