Episode Details

Estate planning is one of those things we all know we should do… but many of us keep putting it off.

The problem? When estate planning goes wrong, the consequences can be deeply personal.

Families stop speaking. Loved ones are left to make difficult decisions without guidance. Vulnerable people can be left unprotected. And disputes that could have been avoided end up costing families emotionally and financially.

In this episode of Money and a Good Life, we sit down with Susan Bonnici, Principal Estate Planning Lawyer at Aitken Partners, to unpack what estate planning really involves — and why it's about so much more than simply deciding who gets what.

Susan has spent her entire legal career helping families navigate everything from straightforward Wills to highly complex estate planning arrangements. As both a lawyer and mother of a child with a disability, she's seen firsthand the importance of planning ahead, particularly for families caring for vulnerable loved ones.

We explore the difference between estate and non-estate assets, why Wills are increasingly being challenged, and the practical steps families can take now to reduce conflict and create certainty for the people they care about most.

This conversation is a timely reminder that estate planning isn't really about death — it's about protecting the people you love. 

In this episode, we cover:

• Why estate planning is about much more than "who gets what" 
• The role family dynamics play in estate planning 
• Protecting vulnerable family members and children with disabilities 
• The difference between estate and non-estate assets 
• Common mistakes people make with Wills and superannuation 
• Why more Wills are being contested — and how to reduce the risk 
• Proposed changes to trust taxation and what they may mean 
• Key terms every adult should understand, including probate and powers of attorney 
• The importance of planning before a crisis occurs

Here's to your Good Life. And thanks for listening.

You can find us at https://www.tribecafinancial.com.au/ 

Our guest: 

Susan Bonnici

Connect with Susan on LinkedIn here

Visit Aitken Partners website here

Our hosts: 

Ryan Watson, CEO, Tribeca Financial  

Connect with Ryan here  

Stephanie Coombes, podcast expert and media strategist 

Connect with Steph here 

Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd, ABN 54 604 005 209 trading as Tribeca Financial has been appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No.1008603) of My Dedicated Advisory. My Good Life ® is a registered trademark of Tribeca Collective Pty Ltd.  

Advice given in this podcast is general in nature and is not intended to influence decisions about investing or financial products. Our listeners should always seek their own professional advice that considers their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. 

Tribeca Financial acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.