Archives March 2026

This article was written by Nancy Wang, Principal solicitor at W & G Lawyers. For further information about Nancy Wang’s professional background, legal experience, and areas of practice, please click on her name to view her full profile.

Blended families are increasingly common across Australia, yet they remain one of the most complex situations in estate planning. Where two people come together each with children from prior relationships, real property in various ownership structures, superannuation, insurance, and accumulated wealth — the stakes of getting an estate plan wrong are very high.

This article walks through the key issues every blended family should consider before meeting with a solicitor. It is general information only. Because every family’s situation is different, we strongly recommend obtaining independent legal advice tailored to your circumstances.

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This article was written by Simone Garcia, Legal Practitioner at W & G Lawyers. For further information about Simone Garcia’s professional background, legal experience, and areas of practice, please click on her name to view her full profile.

Across South East Queensland, a booming housing option is being marketed under a variety of appealing names: “over-50s resorts”, “lifestyle villages”, “land lease communities”, “active living estates”. The brochures promise resort-style facilities, community spirit, low maintenance living, and financial freedom in retirement.

What the brochures do not always make clear is the legal framework you are actually entering — and the significant long-term financial and legal obligations that come with it.

This article explains how these arrangements work, what the risks are, and why obtaining independent legal advice before signing is not just a good idea — it is essential.

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Trusts are a widely used estate planning tool. They can protect assets, provide tax flexibility and help support vulnerable beneficiaries.

However, Australia’s foreign investment and state tax rules can create unexpected complications where a trust includes a foreign person as a beneficiary. This issue commonly arises in testamentary trusts created under wills, family discretionary trusts and other trust structures.

If not carefully drafted, a trust that includes a foreign beneficiary may be treated as a foreign trust, potentially triggering additional tax obligations and regulatory requirements.

Understanding how these rules operate is an important part of modern estate planning and assets protection.

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