Deferred Fee arrangements available. Learn More »
Transparent legal fees.
THE BASICS
What is estate planning?
Estate planning means preparing the legal documents that manage your assets and your personal affairs, during your lifetime and after you die.
It is not only for the wealthy or the elderly. It is for anyone who wants their wishes honoured and their family protected.
At its heart, estate planning is an act of love and responsibility. You are deciding, while you can, how the people who depend on you will be looked after.
WHY ESTATE PLANNING MATTERS
What difference does an estate plan make?
Without a plan, your family may face confusion, extra cost or a dispute. With one, you give them clarity and direction at the point they need it most.
WITHOUT A PLAN
The law decides who inherits, not you.
Your family may need a court or tribunal order before they can act for you.
Delay and legal cost fall on the estate, which means on the people you left it to.
Nobody you chose has authority to speak for you if you lose capacity.
WITH A PLAN
Your assets go where you intend them to go.
Your executor can act promptly, with clear authority.
The structure is built to reduce the risk of a family provision claim.
The people you trust hold the authority you gave them, and your values guide your care.
WHERE TO BEGIN
Four documents, one plan
Estate planning rests on four documents. Together they cover what happens to your assets, and who speaks for you if you cannot speak for yourself.
01
Wills
A will is the cornerstone of any estate plan. It sets out how your assets are distributed after you die, who cares for your children and any other final wishes you want respected.
Even a simple will must be valid and legally sound, or it invites delay and dispute. A properly prepared will makes sure your voice is heard.
AT A GLANCE
How the four documents differ
DOCUMENT | WHEN IT TAKES EFFECT | WHAT IT COVERS | WHO YOU APPOINT | WHEN IT CEASES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Will | After death | Distribution of your estate and guardianship of children under 18 | Executor, and a guardian if you choose one | Your estate is finalised and the assets distributed |
Testamentary Trust | After you die, under the terms of your will | Asset protection, tax flexibility, and provision for young or vulnerable beneficiaries | Trustee or trustees named in your will | As defined in the terms of the trust |
Power of Attorney | While you are alive, either immediately or on loss of capacity | Financial and legal matters | Attorney | You revoke it, or pass away |
Enduring Guardianship | Only if you lose decision-making capacity | Personal, health, and lifestyle decisions | Enduring Guardian | You revoke it, or pass away |
Will
WHEN IT TAKES EFFECT
After death
WHAT IT COVERS
Distribution of your estate and guardianship of children under 18
WHO YOU APPOINT
Executor, and a guardian if you choose one
WHEN IT CEASES
Your estate is finalised and the assets distributed
Testamentary Trust
WHEN IT TAKES EFFECT
After you die, under the terms of your will
WHAT IT COVERS
Asset protection, tax flexibility, and provision for young or vulnerable beneficiaries
WHO YOU APPOINT
Trustee or trustees named in your will
WHEN IT CEASES
As defined in the terms of the trust
Power of Attorney
WHEN IT TAKES EFFECT
While you are alive, either immediately or on loss of capacity
WHAT IT COVERS
Financial and legal matters
WHO YOU APPOINT
Attorney
WHEN IT CEASES
You revoke it, or pass away
Enduring Guardianship
WHEN IT TAKES EFFECT
Only if you lose decision-making capacity
WHAT IT COVERS
Personal, health, and lifestyle decisions
WHO YOU APPOINT
Enduring Guardian
WHEN IT CEASES
You revoke it, or pass away
FEES
What an estate plan costs
We publish fixed fees, so you know the cost before you commit. All prices include GST and are current at 28 August 2026.
DOCUMENTS | ONE PERSON | COUPLE |
|---|---|---|
Simple will | $440 | $770 |
Enduring power of attorney | $330 | $550 |
Appointment of enduring guardian | $330 | $550 |
Will with testamentary trust | $1,650 | $2,420 |
DOCUMENTS | ONE PERSON | COUPLE |
|---|---|---|
Simple will | $440 | $770 |
Enduring power of attorney | $330 | $550 |
Appointment of enduring guardian | $330 | $550 |
Will with testamentary trust | $1,650 | $2,420 |
DOCUMENTS | ONE PERSON | COUPLE |
|---|---|---|
Simple will | $440 | $770 |
Enduring power of attorney | $330 | $550 |
Appointment of enduring guardian | $330 | $550 |
Will with testamentary trust | $1,650 | $2,420 |
SAFE CUSTODY INCLUDED
We hold your original signed documents in safe custody at no extra charge.
COSTS AGREED IN WRITING
You receive a costs agreement and costs disclosure before any work starts, as the Legal Profession Uniform Law requires.
COMPLEX MATTERS QUOTED
Blended families, business interests, foreign assets and contested capacity are quoted individually.
WHY CHOOSE DORMER STANHOPE
More than 25 years of estate planning
We do not simply draft documents. We look for the problems before they arrive, plan around them and keep your documents current as the law changes.
Personal guidance
You deal with an experienced lawyer from the first meeting to the last signature.
Fees published
Our prices are on the website. We confirm your fixed quote in writing before we start.
Built to avoid disputes
We act in estate litigation too, so we know where plans fail and we draft against it.
Genuine care
Your legacy matters to us, because it matters to the people you leave it to.
FROM THE BLOG
Reading on estate planning
Plain English answers to the questions clients ask most often, written by our lawyers.
