The Art of Estate Planning Podcast

When taking instructions to prepare a will, a testator will often have a whole slew of reasons justifying their decisions – from disentitling conduct of beneficiaries to particular relationship circumstances.     Not only do testators want the validation of seeing their reasons written down, but they also want to make sure they’re given a voice ‘from the grave’.   In this episo...

Do you get clients dragging their heels when it’s time to give you their estate planning instructions?   It slows things down, and eats in to your profit margin.   In this episode, Tara and Carrie dive into strategies for managing client overwhelm and turning the instruction-giving process into a smooth, stress-free experience.    Join us for actionable insights to help you cre...

When it comes to drafting testamentary discretionary trust wills, there’s one critical issue that has been flying under the radar since 2021 - Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval.  If you’re scratching your head wondering what FIRB has to do with estate planning – you’re not alone.    In this episode, we unpack the risks of overlooking this sleeper issue and share practi...

Pricing future amendments to estate planning documents can feel like trying to predict the future—how do you balance client expectations with the risk and expertise involved?   In this episode, Tara and Carrie dive into strategies for setting clear, effective pricing for amendments that keep clients happy and your practice profitable.    We’ll walk you through ways to structure fees...

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 Saunde r s v Vautier h...

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 contro...

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 conve...

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...

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...

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 ep...

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 abo...

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 you...

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 s...

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...

In this episode, Tara and Carrie dive into an unexpected twist in estate planning that might catch you off guard: how a testator’s super strategy on death can influence their adult children’s eligibility for the Centrelink childcare subsidy. We chat about why this surprising connection is so important, especially for clients with adult children who have children in childcare. If you’re advising cl...

Tara and Carrie discuss all the blocks your clients might be facing before they’re ready to say “Yes!” to investing in their estate plan. We share our tips on how to decide if you’re charging enough for your estate planning services, and   how to set your prices with confidence. Find out more at www.taralucke.com.au

In this episode, Tara and Carrie chat about the practical and technical issues which arise when assisting a couple with their estate planning where one spouse has all the assets and the homemaker spouse makes significant non-financial contributions to the family. This episode is a must-listen for any estate planning lawyers looking to enhance their skills and client outcomes by incorporating a mor...