Estate planning is an important aspect of managing your financial health. Having your affairs in order will help protect your assets and give you peace of mind.

Here are four things to consider when planning your estate:

Have a valid, up-to-date Will

Preparing a valid Will is first and foremost. A Will helps ensure your estate assets are distributed to the intended beneficiaries. Individuals would be wise to update their Will after major life events (i.e., marriage, divorce, new children) to reflect their circumstances. If an individual dies without a Will or without a valid Will, it is considered dying intestate. Dying intestate means the individual’s assets will be distributed according to the inheritance laws of the states and territories of Australia, which can result in higher tax liabilities for beneficaries.

Appoint a Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows an individual or organisation to act on your behalf. Appointing a General Power of Attorney gives the attorney wide powers to undertake actions on your behalf, such as dealing with property or paying bills. However, if the will-maker dies or  loses mental capacity a General Power of Attorney is ceased – an Enduring Power of Attorney can be appointed to overcome these limitations.

Nominate death benefits for your super

Superannuation assets are not included in an individual’s estate. Where a nomination is in place, the super will be paid to the nominated beneficiaries. If a binding death nomination is not in place, the trustee may pay the benefits of the deceased to any of their superannuation dependents instead of the estate. Individuals should consider the tax implications of distributions made under a binding death nomination and regularly review nominations to ensure they are valid and effective.

Enduring Guardianship

Although estate planning does not involve appointing an Enduring Guardian, it is the ideal time to consider doing so. Individuals can choose to create a legal document called an ‘Enduring Power of Guardianship.’ The key roles of a Guardian include making important personal, lifestyle and medical decisions on your behalf, if you ever become unable to make these decisions yourself. Unlike an Enduring Power of Attorney, an Enduring Guardian cannot make financial or legal decisions and are supervised by each state’s guardianship board or tribunal.