Guides, Tips & Legal Insights
Practical estate planning advice from the Custodium Vault team — written in plain English, for every Australian family.
What Happens If You Die Without a Will in Australia?
Dying without a valid will — known as dying intestate — means the law, not you, decides what happens to your estate. Here's what that means for Australian families, and what you can do about it.
2026
Custodium Vault Legal Team
What Is an Enduring Power of Attorney? A Plain-English Guide for Australians
An enduring power of attorney lets someone you trust manage your financial and legal affairs if you can no longer do so yourself. Here's everything every Australian needs to know.
What Is a Healthcare Directive and Do You Need One?
A healthcare directive records your medical wishes in advance — so if you're ever unable to speak for yourself, your doctors and family know exactly what you want. Here's what every Australian needs to know.
What Happens to Your Superannuation When You Die?
For most Australians, superannuation is their largest asset — yet it's the one most likely to be distributed in ways they never intended. Here's why your will doesn't control your super, and what to do about it.
What Is a Testamentary Trust? And Why Families With Assets Use Them
A testamentary trust is a powerful estate planning tool that can protect your family's inheritance from tax, relationship breakdown, and creditors. Here's how it works and whether you need one.
How to Talk to Aging Parents About Estate Planning
Most families know they should have the conversation about estate planning with aging parents. Most also dread it and put it off — until something happens. Here's how to have it well, before you need to.
Business Succession Planning: A Guide for Australian Business Owners
What happens to your business if you die or become incapacitated? For most Australian business owners, the answer is unclear — and the consequences can be severe. Here's how to plan ahead.
What Happens to Your Digital Assets When You Die?
Cryptocurrency, online accounts, digital businesses, photo libraries — a growing portion of what we own exists only online. Without a plan, most of it is lost when you die. Here's what to do.
Estate Planning for Military Families: What's Different and Why It Matters
Military service creates unique estate planning needs — deployments, relocations, specific entitlements, and a higher day-to-day risk profile. Here's what service members and their families need to know.
How to Choose an Executor for Your Will
Choosing an executor is one of the most important decisions you'll make when preparing your will — and one of the most commonly underestimated. Here's what the role involves and how to choose wisely.
The Difference Between a Will and a Testamentary Trust
A standard will and a will with a testamentary trust both distribute your assets after death — but they work very differently. Here's a plain-English comparison to help you choose.
10 Documents Every Australian Family Should Have (And Where to Keep Them)
In an emergency, your family needs to find the right documents fast. Here are the 10 documents that matter most — and how to make sure they're prepared, organised, and accessible when it counts.
Estate Planning for Blended Families: Protecting Everyone You Love
Blended families face unique estate planning challenges that standard wills don't solve. Here's how to make sure your partner and children from every relationship are protected.
What Is Probate and How Long Does It Take in Australia?
Probate gives your executor legal authority to deal with your estate. Here's what it actually involves, when it's needed, and realistic timeframes across Australia.
Joint Tenancy vs Tenants in Common: What It Means for Your Estate
Two names on one title can mean very different things when someone dies. Here's how joint tenancy and tenants in common affect your estate plan, and how to check which one you have.
Granny Flat Arrangements and Estate Planning in Australia
Granny flat arrangements can protect your family and your Age Pension — or quietly cost you both. Here's how to set one up properly under Australian law.
Life Insurance and Estate Planning: How They Work Together
Life insurance and estate planning are two halves of the same plan. Here's how to make sure your will and your insurance nominations don't work against each other.
How to Update Your Will After a Divorce in Australia
Divorce changes your will automatically in some ways, but not in all the ways you'd expect. Here's exactly what changes, what doesn't, and what to update straight away.
What Happens to Your Home Loan When You Die in Australia?
A mortgage doesn't disappear when you die — it becomes a debt of your estate, and interest keeps running. Here's who becomes liable, what your executor must do, and how to stop a forced sale.
How to Write a Letter of Wishes Alongside Your Will
A letter of wishes tells your executor the things a will can't — the reasoning, the funeral, the practical detail. Here's what to put in one, and the drafting mistake that turns it into a legal problem.
Estate Planning for Australians Living Overseas
Living abroad changes how your Australian will, super and property are taxed and administered. Here's what expats need to fix — starting with who you named as executor.
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