This Month
Baby boomers are adding to the ‘inheritocracy’. And that’s a problem
Inheriting is becoming nearly as important as working. That is dangerous for capitalism and society.
There is a third option for helping your kids buy a home
Parents considering helping their kids into the property market must weigh up the risks and problems of each method of assistance.
February
What’s the fairest way to give my kids money for a house deposit?
Gifting equally is likely to reduce the risk of resentment and family conflict.
The reason so many adult children are challenging wills
Soaring property prices have increased the size of the prize in inheritance disputes. And the bigger the estate, the better your chances.
January
ATO to crack down on Baby Boomer wealth transfer ‘risks’
The Australian Taxation Office says it will zero in on Baby Boomers restructuring private companies to pass billions onto their heirs.
The billionaire, the mine, the minority stake and her lover
It’s 14 years since Gina Rinehart transferred ownership of a company to her late lover. The company controls a stake in her next big mine, but who controls it?
December 2024
Sibling rivalry: what to do when inheritance goes horribly wrong
Millions of Australians will jointly inherit the family home with siblings. We explore four common scenarios, what can go wrong and how to resolve disputes.
Inheritance planning is hard with step kids. How this couple did it
The O’Connells are mum, dad, three boys and a lost baby girl. They put estate planning in the too-hard basket for years but eventually found the strength for tough conversations.
November 2024
I work with wealthy families. This is the ideal inheritance size
We have a moment in time to seize the significant wealth transfer while benefiting society and creating the kind of people we want our kids to be.
Death tech a safe bet as investors see value in digitising last requests
The inevitability of the end of life, and the administrative burdens that come with it, convinced high-profile investors to back a $17 million funding round.
‘Hurt badly’: When Dad leaves everything to his new wife
Two women share their heartbreak at being overlooked in their fathers’ wills and 10 strategies for safeguarding inheritances.
Tapping super to help your kids buy a home? Read this first
While accessing your super to help the kids buy property may seem like a good idea, there are a few things to understand first.
October 2024
How your kids could help you avoid this super death benefits catch
The transfer balance cap also applies to pensions received on death and this is where it may catch you out.
How will the ATO view an inheritance from New Zealand?
Estate planning can be difficult for those with family ties on both sides of the Tasman.
Would your family trust survive a black sheep attack?
Trusts are the go-to structure for asset protection and inheritance planning but as more wealthy families are discovering, they’re not bulletproof. Experts weigh in on how to prevent costly showdowns.
September 2024
Disputes over the remains of loved ones are on the rise
Fights over funeral arrangements and ashes are increasingly ending up in courts. What to know about your rights and responsibilities.
Why this Baby Boomer is leaving everything to her grandkids - not kids
Grandchildren are emerging as winners of the $4.9 trillion generational wealth transfer as the bank of nan and pop funds home deposits, cars and tuition fees.
Grandparent economy: Bank of nan and pop funds homes, school, holidays
Dick Kirby is helping his children and grandchildren establish themselves financially as surveys indicate grandparents are easing cost-of-living pressures for cash-strapped families.
Why the family farm has become a huge inheritance challenge
Succession planning can be extremely difficult, but it doesn’t have to be if you start talking early and come up with a workable strategy.
July 2024
New $3m super tax is ‘stealing my children’s inheritance’
Family enterprises face hard questions about whether to abandon their succession and retirement plans by selling their shops, farms and factories,