This Month
What happens when Australia’s Boomers hand $5 trillion to their heirs
This week on The Fin podcast, Lucy Dean and Joanna Mather explain what’s happening in the great wealth transfer and how it will shape the economy, politics and intergenerational rivalry.
Why there is no such thing as a simple will
You’ve got to understand what you’re giving up when you sign a simple will – and how there are better ways to protect your loved ones.
- Peter Townsend
April
A child won a share of her dad’s estate – despite planning to kill him
A 75 per cent success rate in contesting wills is encouraging more family members to sue for a bigger share. Here’s how to protect your final wishes.
- Duncan Hughes
House deposit or HECS debt: what’s best for the kids?
Soaring student loan debts can reduce first home buyer lending capacity by up to $140,000, according to analysis by RateCity.
- Duncan Hughes and Lucy Dean
March
The most ‘dangerous’ phrase in inheritance planning
“To be shared equally between my children” sounds simple, yet it’s anything but.
- Penny Pryor
What to do with a big inheritance
Around $10 billion worth of shares, cash and property is bequeathed every month in Australia. Experts weight in on how to manage a windfall.
- Duncan Hughes
It’s divorce season. This is what to do about money
The end of summer holidays and return to work is a peak period for couples to reassess their marriage. Here are 10 financial and tax issues to keep in mind.
- Duncan Hughes
- Analysis
- Cars
The 20-year, multibillion inheritance feud dividing the Fiat dynasty
Gianni Agnelli’s daughter Margherita signed a document in 2004 that has spurred lawsuits and set her against her three eldest children.
- Silvia Sciorilli Borrelli
February
Sisters take on extended family to win $13.5m inheritance dispute
A sharp rise in blended families is creating complex legal issues, particularly for inheritance claims.
- Duncan Hughes
How to pass on a prized collection to your kids
Precious collections of art, furniture, wine and watches are increasingly part of inheritances. What’s the best way to pass on these assets?
- Bianca Hartge-Hazelman
Wealthy families are trying something new – ditching the secrecy
There’s a new breed of private investment vehicle for the super rich. And they’re less interested in managing money out of view than making more of it.
- Primrose Riordan
This bygone inheritance strategy is making a comeback
Unborn children and grandchildren are taking precedence over in-laws and other new arrivals as blended families raise the stakes in estate planning.
- Duncan Hughes
- Opinion
- Opinion
Why just a will won’t cut it for your inheritance strategy
This is why Tony – who has a family trust, a company and property in a unit trust – needs an extra 25 documents to sort control of family assets after he dies.
- Peter Townsend
January
- Opinion
- Opinion
This is how your heirs will pay less tax when they inherit your super
Just because there is no inheritance tax doesn’t mean you don’t have to protect your beneficiaries.
- Michael Hutton
What happens to Bank of Mum and Dad loan if we break up?
A couple buying an apartment have very different deposits – he has $50,000, she has five times that thanks to the Bank of Mum and Dad. What happens if they split up?
- Penny Wise
Meet the ex-teacher giving his $3m inheritance to climate charities
Stephen Pfeiffer and Linh Do are part of a new generation of philanthropists with a sense of urgency. For those starting out, here are five mistakes to avoid.
- Joanna Mather
I’ve inherited $1m. Now what?
A large inheritance can mean goals that perhaps felt like a dream may be within reach, but plan carefully, advisers say.
After I die, how does my wife move from DIY super to industry fund?
Assets including investment-grade bonds and private equity will make this more complex, but there are ways to get started.
- John Wasiliev
December 2023
- Opinion
- Charity
These three steps would help you leave some of your super to charity
Policy settings need to be changed to help SMSFs – and other super fund members – be more active philanthropists.
- Peter Burgess
- Opinion
- Opinion
How to claim your spouse’s super after they die
There’s a way to move their retirement savings to your super – this is how to get things going.
- Meg Heffron