Estate planning is often thought of as deciding who should receive an estate. It is much more than that. A well-considered estate plan considers how wealth is transferred, who will make decisions if you cannot, and whether the arrangements are likely to work for the people who will eventually rely upon them.

For some families, that may be straightforward. For others, there are businesses, trusts, superannuation interests or family circumstances that require more careful planning. Taxation may also influence the way an estate should be structured. The right answer is not always the simplest document. It is the arrangement that is most likely to achieve the client's objectives without creating unnecessary complexity for those left behind.

A will is only one part of that process. Powers of attorney allow decisions to be made during your lifetime if you are unable to make them yourself. Testamentary trusts may provide flexibility or protection in the years that follow. Good estate planning considers how all of those arrangements work together.

The people who administer an estate are usually doing so at one of the most difficult times of their lives. A well-considered estate plan recognises that. It answers questions before they need to be asked and reduces the number of decisions that others are left to make.

Eastern Bridge has one of the strongest wills and estates teams in Victoria. Estate planning is one of the firm's core practice areas. We work with clients to develop practical estate plans that reflect their personal circumstances, family relationships and financial affairs. The process requires careful thought. It should not require unnecessary fuss.