What would happen to your children if you and their other parent were no longer there to care for them? 

It is an uncomfortable question, but it is also one of the most important reasons for parents to prepare a will. 

Estate planning for parents is not simply about deciding who inherits your assets. Your will can record your wishes about guardianship, while your broader estate plan can determine how your children are financially supported and how their inheritance is managed. 

Many people assume that when preparing a will, the term “children” simply means their biological children. 

In Queensland succession law, however, the position can be broader. For family provision purposes, a child can include a child, stepchild or adopted child. 

This distinction is particularly important for blended families.

Imagine being unable to work tomorrow. Who would pay your employees, speak with the bank or make decisions about your business? 

For many small business owners, the answer is not immediately clear. They may have a will but no documented plan for keeping the business operating if they die or lose capacity. 

That makes trust succession planning an important part of your broader estate plan. 

Many people establish a family trust to hold property, investments or business interests. But there is one question that is often overlooked: what happens to the trust when you die? 

A common misconception is that everything you control automatically passes under your will. With a trust, it is more complicated. The trust structure and, importantly, the trust deed can determine who takes control next. 

That makes trust succession planning an important part of your broader estate plan. 

Many business owners spend years building a company but give very little thought to what happens if they suddenly die. 

If you are a sole director, shareholder or co-owner of a private company, your will is only one part of the succession planning picture. Your company is a separate legal entity, which means its assets do not automatically form part of your personal estate. 

That makes business succession planning an important part of any comprehensive estate plan. 

When preparing a will, many people assume that everything they control automatically forms part of their personal estate. 

That is not always the case. 

The distinction becomes especially important if you own a business, control a family trust, hold assets through a company or have a self-managed super fund. Understanding what is personally yours and what belongs to another legal structure is an essential part of effective estate planning. 

Obtaining probate can feel like the end of a long process, but in reality, it is often the point where estate administration properly begins. 

Once probate or letters of administration have been granted, the executor or administrator has the legal authority to deal with the deceased person’s assets. The next steps will depend on what the estate includes, who the beneficiaries are, and what the will directs.

When a loved one dies without a valid will, the legal process can become much more complicated. There is no executor appointed, no written direction about how the estate should be distributed, and family members may be unsure who has the authority to deal with the deceased person’s assets. 

In Queensland, dying without a will is known as dying intestate. When this happens, the estate is distributed according to intestacy laws rather than the deceased person’s personal wishes.

When someone passes away, an executor may expect the probate process to be relatively straightforward. But what happens if the original Will cannot be found, the document has been damaged, or there is an issue with how it was signed? 

Problems with a Will do not necessarily mean probate is impossible, but they can make the process more complicated. Understanding some of the most common issues can help executors identify when additional evidence or legal assistance may be required. 

After the death of a loved one, one of the first questions executors and family members often ask is, "Do I need probate?" 

The answer isn't always straightforward. In Queensland, whether probate is required depends on the nature of the estate, the assets involved, and who has authority to deal with them. 

Understanding when probate is necessary can help you avoid unnecessary costs and delays while ensuring the estate is administered correctly. 

If someone owes you money, you may be considering making a claim through the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT). But once you visit the QCAT website or begin looking at the application forms, it's easy to feel overwhelmed.

Many people assume they need a lawyer to navigate the process. While legal advice can be valuable, QCAT is specifically designed so that many people can represent themselves. The key is understanding the process and preparing properly.

Winning your case in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) is a positive outcome—but receiving an order doesn't always mean you'll receive payment. 

If the other party ignores the Tribunal's decision, you may need to take additional legal steps to enforce the order and recover the money you're owed. 

Receiving notice that your matter is proceeding to a QCAT hearing can feel intimidating, particularly if you've never represented yourself before. 

Many people worry about what they'll need to say, whether they should bring witnesses, or how formal the hearing will be. The good news is that the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) is designed to be more accessible than traditional courts. However, preparation still plays a critical role in presenting your case effectively.

If someone owes you money or you're involved in a consumer dispute, you may be wondering whether QCAT is the right place to resolve your claim. 

The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) provides a more accessible and cost-effective way for individuals and small businesses to resolve many disputes without going through the traditional court system. 

Being owed money can be frustrating, whether it's an unpaid invoice, an unpaid loan, or work you've completed without receiving payment. Many people aren't sure where to start. Should you send another email? Do you need a lawyer? Can you go straight to QCAT? 

The good news is that Queensland provides a straightforward pathway for many debt recovery matters—but taking the right steps early can significantly improve your chances of success.

Disputes about wills are becoming increasingly common as Australia’s population ages and family dynamics become more complicated. 

Caregiving arrangements, blended families, unequal inheritances, and late-life changes to estate plans frequently create tension between beneficiaries. 

When the validity of a will is disputed in Queensland, the matter can progress into what is known as solemn form proceedings.

When families dispute a Will, two issues arise more than almost any other: testamentary capacity and undue influence. 

These claims sit at the centre of many estate disputes in Queensland, particularly as Australia’s population ages and family structures become increasingly complex. 

Many people assume that if a will feels unfair, it can simply be overturned. However, there is an important legal distinction between contesting a will and challenging a will — and the difference matters. 

Contesting a will generally means someone believes they were not adequately provided for from an estate and is seeking a greater share. Challenging a will, on the other hand, focuses on whether the will itself is legally valid. 

When families disagree over a Will, many assume the only path forward is a legal battle. 

But in reality, most disputes are resolved without ever stepping into a courtroom. 

One of the most effective tools for doing this is a deed of family arrangement which offers a flexible, legally binding agreement that allows beneficiaries to take control of the outcome.