Estate Planning with DFK Everalls

Protect your family, preserve your wealth, and secure your legacy.

Estate planning isn’t just about having a will. It’s about creating clarity and certainty for you and your family, ensuring that the right assets go to the right people, at the right time, which protects your beneficiaries, minimises stress, disputes, and unnecessary tax. At DFK Everalls, we help you look at the whole picture – business, superannuation, trusts, investments, and personal wealth – so that nothing is left to chance.

Why Estate Planning Matters

Many people put it off, but estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take for your family’s financial future. Without it, your estate could be tied up in court, eroded by tax, or divided in ways you never intended.

A comprehensive estate plan gives you:

Peace of mind knowing your affairs are in order and your wishes will be respected.
Asset protection through structures like trusts that safeguard family wealth across generations.
Tax efficiency to legitimately reduce tax obligations for beneficiaries.
Reduced conflict by removing uncertainty and minimising the risk of family disputes.

What’s Involved in Estate Planning?

An estate plan typically includes:

A legally valid will that reflects your current circumstances.
Enduring Powers of Attorney & Guardianship to ensure trusted people can make financial, medical, or lifestyle decisions if you lose capacity.
Superannuation death benefit nominations, which determine who receives your super (as it doesn’t automatically fall under your will).
Testamentary trusts can control how minors or vulnerable beneficiaries access wealth, or protect against relationship breakdowns.
Advance health directives, documenting your medical treatment preferences.

At Everalls, we don’t stop at the paperwork. We integrate your estate planning with your business structures, SMSF, and family wealth strategy, so it works seamlessly with your tax and financial goals.

Common Misunderstandings

As Melissa Healy explained on the DFK ANZ Podcast (Episode 17), many business people assume a will is enough. However, wills only deal with estate assets, such as bank accounts, shares, and personal property. Superannuation and assets held in trusts are potentially excluded from the will.

If these aren’t adequately accounted for, your family may face delays, disputes, or unintended outcomes. Estate planning ensures all assets – estate and non-estate – are structured for a smooth transition.

How DFK Everalls Helps

As Canberra’s leading integrated advisory firm, DFK Everalls combines tax, business, and wealth expertise. That means we can:

Structure your estate plan to minimise capital gains tax and maximise the benefit to your beneficiaries.
Align your estate plan with your business succession strategy, so your hard work continues to create value.
Ensure your estate planning reflects your family trust and SMSF arrangements, not just your will.
Guide you through sensitive family conversations, helping prevent conflict and ensuring clarity.

Take Action Before It’s Too Late

Waiting until illness or old age often creates more problems than it solves. Plans made under pressure are more vulnerable to legal challenge and may not reflect your true wishes. The best time to start is now, while you are healthy and in control.

Every family is different. Every estate is unique. That’s why we start with a confidential discussion to understand your situation, goals, and structures. Together, we’ll build a plan that protects your family and secures your legacy.