The Art of Estate Planning Podcast

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...

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 B...

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 ou...

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: Crypto Basics for Lawyers: How to identify your clients’ digital holdings (even the ones they forget to mention) Pre-Death Planning: Best practice...

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: The key signs that it’s time for a price rise (yes, even if you're nervous) Why the EOFY is the i...

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 est...

Ever wondered what actually goes into keeping estate planning precedents sharp, shiny, and up-to-date? Spoiler alert: it's a lot more than a quick cut-and-paste job. In this episode, we're lifting the curtain on the latest update release for our precedents — sharing the behind-the-scenes chaos, decisions, late night edits, and why we’re so obsessed with making sure every clause earns its keep. If...

It's tempting to just pop an extra clause into a client's will to cover off on the succession plan for their family trust - but this is far from the gold standard in discretionary trust succession. In this episode, I'll explain why that approach is ""so 90s"" and share my tips on how to implement a failproof succession plan for family trusts. If you want to dive into this topic in more detail, che...

Naming guardians for minor children in a Will is, hands down, one of the most emotional (and often avoided) parts of estate planning. It’s heavy, it’s real, and it's the most important decision you'll ever make.  As estate planning lawyers, we know this decision is too important to ignore.   In this episode, I share my tips on how to support clients to make a thoughtful, values-base...

Whether you're just starting out in estate planning or you're a seasoned succession lawyer, having the right tools at your fingertips can make all the difference to finding the answers fast and staying on top of law changes. In this episode, I’ve dug into my little black book of estate planning resources to bring you my carefully curated guide to the best podcasts, courses, precedents, and communi...

Naming the right people to handle financial decisions in an estate plan isn’t just important - it’s everything.   Executors, trustees, and financial attorneys wield serious power, and a poor choice can lead to delays, lost opportunities, and potentially years wasted in court. But for many clients, these roles are a complete mystery. So, how do you guide them toward a well-considered and balan...

Many testators want to keep the peace and treat everyone fairly, so they suggest appointing all their kids as executors. Sounds smart, right? Well… perhaps not. While having more than one executor can provide accountability and share the heavy load, it can also lead to delays, disputes, and general chaos (cue dramatic courtroom music). So, when is appointing multiple executors a smart move, and wh...

Blended families bring unique challenges when it comes to estate planning.   From balancing competing interests to ensuring no one gets left out (or left too much!), it can often feel like there’s no perfect solution.   In this podcast, Kate Redman will take us through the key considerations and potential solutions when helping blended families craft a solid estate plan.

Just because you can do something yourself doesn’t mean you should.   As lawyers, we’re literally trained to be the go-to problem solvers — but trying to do everything (from legal work to bookkeeping) is a one-way ticket to burnout.   So, how do you decide what to DIY and what to outsource in both your law firm and your personal life?   In this episode, we’re unpacking the great DIY...

You know testamentary trusts are a game-changer for your clients, but actually getting started with recommending and drafting them?   That’s a whole different ball game.   Maybe you’re worried you don’t know enough, don’t have the right precedents, or just don’t know how to explain them to your clients.   We’ve got you!   In this episode, we’re mapping out the exact resources a...

When it comes to wills, size does matter — but maybe not in the way you think.   Some lawyers swear by a short-and-sweet approach, while others draft wills that read like War and Peace. So, what’s the right length for a basic will?   And how do you strike the perfect balance between brevity and bulletproof legal protection?   Tune in now to find out where to draw the line (literally...

Let’s face it: the comments section on social media can be brutal, especially when it comes to estate planning. We’ve all seen the comments in the community facebook groups — "Wills are too expensive, just use an online will kit!" or "Lawyers aren't worth the money!" It’s frustrating, especially when we pour our heart and soul into our work. Here’s the silver lining: criticism can be a goldmine of...

Whether you're ready to step away from a work environment that you've outgrown, or just love the idea of creating something that’s entirely yours, we’re here to help you kick off your journey with confidence! In this episode, we’re dishing out all the unsolicited advice about what to do (and not do!) to get your estate planning firm off the ground. Launching your own firm might feel daunting, but...

How Much Do Clients Really Need to Understand About Their Testamentary Trust Wills?   We know testamentary trust wills are a powerful tool for legacy building, but let’s face it — explaining them to clients can feel like speaking a different language. So, how much of the trust deed does your client actually need to comprehend before signing on the bottom line?   In this episode, we debat...

It’s one of the trickiest questions an estate planning lawyer can face: “Will you be my executor?” On the surface, it might seem like a compliment, a vote of confidence in your abilities. But agreeing to take on this role can come with a world of complications—both personal and professional. Whether you’re considering saying yes or wondering how to decline without offending your client, this episo...

Cost agreements might not be the most glamorous part of estate planning, but they’re the secret weapon that stands between you and a lawyer’s worst nightmares — like clients who ask for a word version of the will so they can make a few changes, or forget to tell you about one of their children.   In this episode, Tara and Carrie dive into what every estate planning lawyer needs to include in...

Let’s face it—unless you’ve been through it yourself, the idea of organising a funeral can feel overwhelming and downright intimidating. That’s why addressing funeral wishes in your clients’ estate plans is not just thoughtful — it’s essential.   In this episode, we share some practical tips for documenting client preferences in a way that reduces future stress for loved ones, and the surpris...

In this episode, Tara sits down with Caralee Fontenele, lawyer, entrepreneur, and the brilliant mind behind Scalable Law, to talk about how she is changing the game for law firm owners. We explore how adopting scalable systems and strategies can help you build a firm that’s not only more profitable but also gives you the freedom to focus on what really matters - create a thriving business and recl...

Working with farming families can give rise to some unique issues, and estate planning is no exception!   In this episode, estate panning lawyers Claudia Maw and Nicky Grummitt share their tips and tricks for issues to have on your radar and strategies that are especially relevant for succession planning for the family farm.   You can watch the video version of this conversation here .

In this episode, Carrie interviews financial adviser, Aime Sandri, about the impact of money blocks on the estate planning process.   Aime shares some powerful insights about the importance of factoring in the broader elements at play when it comes to client behaviour around estate planning - from client delays through to understanding that we can’t assume every client is motivated by rationa...