Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust..
Before the first shovel of dirt landed on the coffin a frisson of expectation rippled through the gathered mourners. A speculating glance, a questioning eyebrow, an awkward shuffle, the uncomfortable silence… each nursing great expectations:
Will I inherit the house?
How much money will I get?
Can I contest the will?
The last question is not mere fiction. Shocking, but it’s estimated that more than 50% of wills end up in court (1).
In part, that is because death is a subject most of us avoid. It’s too confronting.
Yet along with taxes, it is one of the only certainties in life.
Our avoidance causes problems. If we don’t prepare for it properly, it can leave a mess and cause anguish for those left behind.
It’s why as accountants, you have a duty of care to help your clients prepare.
To get their affairs in order; and if they are complex, the more preparation the better.
SMSFs have a lot of potential tripwires, any of which could set off an explosion of litigation.
It’s why we are running a two-part webinar education series: Death & SMSFs.
Live Webinar #1: Death and SMSFs – Preparation
Prevention is better than cure, and in the case of legal disputes, much cheaper.
Topics the two panel experts talked through include:
- How to safeguard your will and estate plans from challenges.
- Role of an enduring power of attorney.
- Asset protection vs tax minimisation – which is best for your client?
- Trip wires in the SMSF that must be addressed.
When: Thursday 29 September 2022
Time: 12.30pm to 1.30pm AEST
Live Webinar #2: Death and SMSFs – After the Event
The key issues discussed include:
- What distributions can take place post death?
- Who controls the SMSF now?
- How to minimise Death taxes.
When: Thursday 13 October 2022
Time: 12.30pm to 1.30pm AEST
Both feature a live Q&A session to answer any knotty problems you may have.
Please note that attendance at the webinars attracts 1 CPD point each.
Both webinar replays and slides are now available here.
Your Presenters
Kevin O’Brien
Kevin is a sought-after solicitor and an accredited specialist in estate planning. He has also delivered education seminars on SMSFs to both the Newcastle Law Society and Legalwise Legal Education in Sydney. The ideal person to point out the tripwires, and how to avoid them.
Kevin O’Brien, Director Landmark Legal
Joel Curry
Joel is one of the Top 100 SMSF auditors as rated by the ATO, a previous Auditor of the Year and a lauded media commentator. He is also an appointed adviser to the Federal Circuit Court of pertaining to Family Law.
Joel Curry, Director TriSuper Auditors
(1) https://www.afr.com/wealth/how-to-have-the-last-word-with-your-will-20180613-h11bm5