There's a lot of misinformation out there about what happens if there's a challenge, or dispute, to a will. But beyond the thing that triggers the dispute - or the grounds somebody uses to challenge a will - there's a deep question about how that dispute will be resolved. There are plenty of paths that lead to a resolution and each one has its own …

Every working Australian will have, somewhere, a superannuation account. And in that account will be some money and, likely, some insurance. But how do you, as the executor of your loved one's estate, handle this unique and complex asset? Who do you speak with, what do you ask them, how will they handle it, where do you go? Well, I've asked indepen…

It's not at all pleasant, but the topic of life insurance was always going to be something I had to cover in this podcast series. Not only because it's complicated, abstract and important - but also because responsible people have life insurance in place. And when they pass away, the people they leave behind need to untangle what it all means. Whic…

Up to this point in the series, we’ve been focusing on the procedural elements involved in those first months after losing your partner. But what about the emotional impact? More specifically, what about the toll it’s going to take on you and your kids? This week’s episode is all about how parents can walk the tightrope of grief, while juggling the…

Where do you even start with administering the estate you're now responsible for? We've covered the big terms in recent episodes - what's involved in being an executor, probate and how testamentary trusts work. But how do you simply do the stuff that need's doing? Well, in this week's episode, our independent financial adviser Jordan Vaka speaks wi…

One of the things that impresses me about the people I work with, is the way they get on with the many, many things that follow the passing of their partner. This is particularly impressive given the jargon they need to learn - and learn quickly. Because all of us in the space - estate lawyers, accountants, financial advisers - are familiar with th…

Being an executor is - despite what your late partner may have told you - a serious, significant and time-consuming job. And that's just for a 'simple' estate. Throw in any complexity - a self-managed super fund, companies, investments - and you've got your work cut out for you. Which is why Jordan's invited David Patkin along. An experienced estat…

This episode of Life, Loss & Legacy is all about testamentary trusts, so Jordan's speaking with solicitor Claire Stollery - partner at Tony Kelly Lawyers, and an expert in the field. Claire outlines: What a testamentary trust actually is The benefits of having one The steps new trustees need to be aware of as they administer the trust Who's who in …

This first episode proper of the Life, Loss & Legacy series is all about decisions. The multitude of decisions you're facing now as you navigate these first few years of bereavement. The scale of decisions you're having to make. And a framework to help you categorise the many, many decisions you're facing, to help make it all a bit easier. Independ…

This episode of Life, Loss & Legacy highlights the importance of Estate Planning. Jordan's joined by Lucy Percy, principal of Head and Heart Estate Planning, and they discuss a range of important considerations when it comes to planning how you want your estate to be distributed. Lucy's statement that a proper estate plan is the "last act of love f…

PlanningSolo Presents: Life, Loss and Legacy - a podcast series to help you navigate those first few years after the loss of your partner. In this introduction, independent financial adviser and series host, Jordan Vaka, explains why he's started this series, the various experts he's brought in to help and what he hopes you get out of it. With anot…