Wills & estates — Aura
Wills and estate lawyers for Aura
Wills, enduring powers of attorney and guardianship advice for families across Aura — Baringa, Nirimba, Banya and Bells Creek. Simple will $495, couples pack $1,499, including GST.
Fixed fees for Aura clients
- Simple will*Per person, incl. GST, free safe custody of the original
- $495
- Enduring power of attorneyPer person, incl. GST, financial and personal/health matters
- $330
- Will and EPOA packPer person, incl. GST
- $825
- Couples packTwo wills and two enduring powers of attorney, incl. GST
- $1,499
*Wills involving complex estate planning issues — blended families, companies, trusts or a self-managed super fund — are quoted separately, in writing, before we start.
Aura is being built for around fifty thousand people, and the estate planning that suits it is not the estate planning that suits the older coastal suburbs. The people we see here are typically in their late twenties to forties, with a mortgage, a young family, superannuation carrying default life insurance, and no will at all.
For most Aura households the largest sum of money is not the house — it is the superannuation death benefit and the insurance attached to it. That money does not automatically follow the will. It is paid at the trustee's discretion unless there is a valid binding death benefit nomination in place, and those lapse after three years unless the fund offers a non-lapsing form. Aligning the nomination with the will is usually the single most valuable thing we do in the appointment.
The other two decisions that get left undone are naming a guardian for young children and setting the age at which a child actually receives their inheritance. Without a will, both default to the legislation: no guardian is named, and the money is handed over at eighteen. Very few parents choose that when they are asked directly.
Where parents helped with the deposit — common across Aura's house and land buyers — whether that money was a gift or a loan should be documented at the time. Reconstructing it later, after a separation or a death, is expensive and often unsuccessful.
What we deal with for Aura families
Superannuation and life insurance
Binding death benefit nominations checked, renewed and aligned with the will, because for most Aura families that is the largest amount of money in play and it sits outside the estate by default.
Guardianship for young children
Testamentary guardians appointed and staged inheritance ages set, so a life insurance payout does not land on an eighteen-year-old in one lump.
Mortgage and first home
How the mortgage is dealt with on death, whether insurance covers it, and how a jointly owned home passes — set out plainly rather than assumed.
Parental deposit assistance
Gift or loan documented at the time, with mortgage protection where parents contributed, so the money survives a separation or an estate claim.
Where we meet Aura clients
Our Sunshine Coast office is at 40 Theresa Street, Golden Beach QLD 4551, in postcode 4551 Baringa, 4551 Nirimba, 4551 Banya, 4551 Bells Creek territory, and Erin Wilkinson lives at Golden Beach. We take will and enduring power of attorney instructions across Aura, Baringa, Nirimba, Banya, Bells Creek, Caloundra West, Pelican Waters — at the office, at home, in hospital or in a retirement village unit. Call 0488 340 853 to book a time.
Who will act for you
Michael Klein
Legal Practice Director
Admitted 2003. Based in Redcliffe, Moreton Bay.
Read Michael's profile
Related pages
- Wills, probate and estates — full service page
- Probate solicitors — Aura
- Estate disputes and family provision claims
- Free safe custody of your original will
- Do I need probate in Queensland?
Other areas we act in
- Wills Golden Beach
- Wills Caloundra
- Wills Pelican Waters
- Wills Baringa
- Wills Currimundi
- Wills Bribie Island
- Wills Redcliffe
- Wills Margate
- Wills North Lakes
- Wills Kallangur
- Wills Scarborough
Aura wills and estates questions
We are young with a mortgage and not much else — do we need a will?
More than you would think. Once superannuation and its default insurance are counted, a young Aura family's estate is frequently several hundred thousand dollars or more. Without a will there is no guardian named for the children, no control over when they receive that money, and someone has to apply to the court to administer the estate at a point when your family is least equipped to deal with it.
Does my will cover my superannuation?
Not by default. Superannuation is held by the fund trustee and paid under the fund's rules, not the will, unless a valid binding death benefit nomination directs it to your legal personal representative or a dependant. Many nominations lapse after three years without anyone noticing. We check yours and make sure it does what the will assumes it does.
Can we do our wills together as a couple?
Yes, and it is usually cheaper — a couples pack is $1,499 including GST. We take instructions from each of you, and if your wishes differ we say so rather than papering over it. Mirror wills are common for young Aura families, but they are not the right answer for everyone, particularly where there are children from an earlier relationship.
How much does a will cost in Aura?
A simple will is a fixed $495 including GST, an enduring power of attorney is $330, the will and enduring power of attorney pack is $825, and a couples pack is $1,499. Wills involving blended families, companies, trusts or a self-managed super fund are quoted separately in writing before we start.
Do I need an enduring power of attorney as well as a will?
They do different jobs. A will operates after death; an enduring power of attorney lets someone deal with your finances and, if you choose, your personal and health matters while you are alive but unable to decide for yourself. Without one, your family has to apply to QCAT, which takes months and costs far more than the document would have.
Can you come to me in Aura?
Yes. Erin Wilkinson lives at Golden Beach and regularly sees clients at home, in hospital or in an aged care or retirement village unit across Aura and the surrounding 4551 suburbs. There is no extra charge for a local home visit.
Where is the original will kept?
We hold originals in safe custody free of charge and give you a copy for your records. That matters more than people expect — an original that cannot be found, or one that has been stapled, pinned or torn, creates an affidavit problem for your executor at exactly the wrong moment.
Can my will be challenged?
In Queensland an eligible person — a spouse, child or dependant — can bring a family provision application within nine months of death. A will cannot make that impossible, but the way it is drafted, and the file note that sits behind it, makes a claim much harder to run. We ask the awkward questions at the time we take instructions.
Reviews from clients
Meg Drewe · Google review
★★★★★I can’t recommend Erin highly enough. Although things ultimately didn’t proceed, Erin went so far above and beyond to help me, and I’m genuinely so grateful for the time, care and knowledge she gave me. She was incredibly kind, patient and supportive, and always took the time to explain everything and answer my questions. Her guidance made such a difference during what was a stressful and uncertain time for me. It’s so lovely to come across a small local firm that genuinely cares about their clients and goes the extra mile to help. Erin is not only incredibly knowledgeable, but truly cares about the people she helps. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone.
Lesley Bourke · Google review
★★★★★Erin was an absolute standout on the Sunshine Coast in assisting with our mutual sellers’ sale of their home. As a Solicitor, and we deal with many, her professionalism, attention to detail, knowledge, and clear communication were exceptional throughout the entire process. Erin was a pleasure to work alongside and made the legal side of the transaction seamless and straightforward for everyone involved. Her prompt communication and proactive approach were greatly appreciated, and it was clear that she genuinely cared about achieving the best outcome for our mutual clients. I would have no hesitation in recommending Erin to anyone looking for an outstanding Solicitor in the sale of their home. She is a true professional and an absolute asset to her clients.
If we have acted for you in Aura, a short review helps other local buyers and sellers work out who to trust. Reviews appear on the site once we have checked them.
A will takes less time than you think
Call 0488 340 853 and we will book a time — at our Golden Beach office, or at your home if that is easier.