http://www.greatsouthernwills.com.au/

Great Southern Wills, 12A Frederick House, 70-74 Frederick Street, Albany (2026)

15/10/2026

15 October 2026 – International Day of Rural Women

Today we recognise and empower rural women and their important role on this beautiful land.

Bernie acts for our farming families, and she loves assisting families with their succession plans, including transferring farms to the next generation.

We have seen a growing trend (including in many of our clients’ families) of women being actively involved in the family enterprise – as a partner in a farming partnership which carries on the business, as a trustee of a family trust which holds land, and not only doing the admin and book work but hard labour too.

This while raising children on the farm and managing the house.

Being on the P&C and running fundraisers. Watching their children play footy and baking goodies for those fundraisers, footy, and for their neighbours. Keeping communities together. Keeping families together. Preparing for the upcoming 2026 harvest… harvest… holidays… seeding… and again.

To the rural women of the Great Southern – thank you for your valuable contribution.

Photo: Krysta Guille Photography at the Women in Farming Annual Seminar in Albany, 20 August 2025.

13/10/2026

When someone is seriously ill, the focus should be on comfort, connection, and care.

Not on scrambling to sort out legal documents, divide assets, or guess at their wishes.

But too often, that’s exactly what happens (and we see it):

Last-minute paperwork

Stressful decisions under pressure

Family members unsure what their loved one really wanted

It’s heartbreaking and it’s preventable.

Preparing a Will, BDBN, Enduring Power of Attorney, and Enduring Power of Guardianship BEFORE a crisis hits isn’t about being morbid.

It’s about making space for peace, not panic.

It’s a final act of love, clarity, and care for the people left behind.

If someone you love is unwell, it’s still worth having the conversation. Gently, honestly, and with support.

And if you’re healthy now? That’s the best time to plan.

And that best time is now. Book your strategy meeting with one of our senior lawyers here: https://greatsouthernwills.com.au/book-your-consultation/ or call our office (08) 9800 1217.

05/10/2026

25 years as a lawyer.

The longest commitment I’ve made (to date).

Longer than my marriages. Longer than employment with an employer. Longer than the road trip to Perth with the “are we there yet mummy”.

5 October 2021, I stood in the Supreme Court of NSW and was sworn in as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of NSW.

It’ll take a whole book to write about my career - although most of my work is of a confidential nature so it might be a short book as many of my clients’ stories will go with me to the grave.

A few personal highlights:

My first boss is now the ACCC Chair. My buddy in the same team, is now the Federal Attorney General. Both amazing women who helped kickstart my career.

I then practised tax law and with that included trips to Canberra during the budget and catching up with the Prime Minister and the Treasurer.

Many submissions to Treasury to change the law, assisting in changing the law, and in fact changing the law. Seeing the impact of those changes to our clients.

Assisting people to stop creating “trust fund” babies and setting up charitable foundations instead, and the rise of the family office.

Helping communities by setting up the Sydney Community Foundation and Albany Community Foundation.

Moving to Albany and creating my dream role supported by an incredible team and community.

But my main highlight takes me back to why I was sworn in as a lawyer on 5 October 2001….

Helping families safeguard their legacies:

- families keeping the farm;
- a child keeping their inheritance from a family breakdown property settlement;
- laughter and happy tears when we meet with clients in the boardroom to discuss their estate plans. The lightbulb moment; and
- loved ones bringing in our client’s white box, with My Workbook completed. It brings a tear to my eye. Then estates being transferred to loved ones seamlessly and tax effectively while maintaining family harmony. Loved ones saying “is that it?” when estates are being administered as it’s a seamless process.

Thank you to many of you who have made an impact. There are many of you!

To practice this area of the law in paradise truly is a dream come true.

Bernie. xo

01/10/2026

When her dad died last year, she was separating from her husband.

It was a messy separation.

And she inherited.

And she visited us at Great Southern Wills… and cried with happiness.

She told us her inheritance is protected – her home – protected from property proceedings.

All dad wanted was for his daughter to have a roof over her head and money to raise her children. And not some ex to receive it.

And that was his instructions to us 3 years ago when we saw him… he liked the idea of a testamentary trust as his daughter was his only child, and the only nominated beneficiary of his estate.

She was also in a risky profession (likely to be sued), and while the marriage was good at the time, it had deteriorated by the time dad died.

So, he signed a Will with a testamentary trust – carefully drafted by us.

And she hugged me and said thank you.

She also had her own independent wealth (though subject to property proceedings) and she wanted that protected for her children and she asked for a testamentary trust in her Will. We also talked about the testamentary trust her dad had given her.

Give the gift of protection.

This is a matter that still gives us goosebumps and gives us motivation to keep going to protect legacies.

See us. (08) 9800 1217.

29/09/2026

I was born mostly deaf in my left ear.

My parents thought I was ignoring them until they took me to a hearing specialist.

And as a young child, I didn’t want to wear a hearing aid.

So, I’ve lived 50 years of my life without help.

I achieved a TER (ATAR equiv) of 92.7 at high school.

Graduated law school and my masters of law with a 96 high distinction in my last subject (and taught and marked by a judge).

Climbed the corporate ladder in Sydney and acted for many high net worth families.

In my 24.5 year legal history, I haven’t had a Will and Estate Plan contested or challenged (to my knowledge).

I had valuable lifelong tips that my hearing specialist gave me – like lip read, sit in front of the classroom, ask for clarification. Hearing loss can also make me extremely focused on the person in front of me and on the work I need to do (drafting/reading) - no distracting background noises!

I never really thought of my deafness as a disability.

Sure, I can’t sing well, ride a bike well, or scuba dive.

However, as a lifelong learner and improver, I decided to trial a hearing aid for 2 weeks.

Attended the Great Southern Primary School Music Festival, Theatre 180 production, and watched many final football matches. Attended committee meetings. In these large group situations, it has improved my understanding of words said. In client in person meetings – it hasn’t improved much and my hearing is the same.

What this means is that I’ll be out more in large group settings. I can finally sit in the back row and still hear – not the front row nerd that you normally see. I can contribute more to our community by being an active board/committee member. And in large family meetings, I can hear much more clearly without having to ask you to repeat yourself.

It’s a whole new (louder world).

24/09/2026

It’s important to get proper legal advice about your estate plan.

Don’t do it alone. And don’t engage an online provider or generalist lawyer.

Yes, it’s cheaper now, however…

There is so much more that needs to be done to ensure that when you die, your family will be looked after.

There’s a list of things specialist lawyers will consider and here’s a short extract of one…

Even for a young couple who own their own home (with a mortgage), have young kids, have super and cash, there are things you need to consider.

Like, how will your spouse repay the home loan if you die first, and you are the main breadwinner?

Do you have enough super and life insurance and if yes, have you signed a BDBN which has been accepted by your super fund? And if you are questioning what is a BDBN… then yes, a DIY Will will not cover this.

Your lawyer will consider your family members and dependents, your assets, debts, asset protection (what if your spouse re-married?), and tax management. They will also consider who can contest your Will.

However, estate planning is not just about a Will.

What happens if you lose capacity (dementia, stroke, accident) or if for some reason you cannot make decisions (you are travelling or there’s no signal where you are).

An Enduring Power of Attorney becomes handy and enables someone you trust to make financial, legal and property decisions for you.

An Enduring Power of Guardianship enables someone with your values to make medical treatment, health and lifestyle decisions for you.

And in some circumstances, an Advance Health Directive may be appropriate.

Be in control and receive proper advice so when the time does come, you and your family are ready.

Want to learn more? Book your consult with Rino or Bernie. Call our office 9800 1217.

22/09/2026

The real work…

is the work beforehand.

And it starts at our strategy meeting.

There’s no lengthy questionnaires or answers needed by you before we meet. You don’t need to know who will be guardian of your children or who will be Executor before we meet.

We actually start with a blank page… and pens, and highlighters, tissues, coffee/tea/water, and sometimes chocolate. We’ll also have copies of your Landgate titles and your superannuation statements.

We talk at length about your family – who’s in it, what are the dynamics like, are there any dependants, do they get along, where do they live?

And then we talk about your assets, your debts, your superannuation and life insurance, your family trust, your company, your partnership, your business, your farm (if any)…

And then we talk about your goals and your wishes.

We do a deep dive into any red flags that we may see such as promises, conflict with family members, gifts or loans to children, dependencies, foreign assets or foreign beneficiaries, tax issues, whether you have capacity or whether you are influenced by other family members, etc… and we give you options and guide you in making decisions. We’ll also stress test your estate plan to ensure that any documents you do sign (that is in accordance with that plan) is practical, can be used, seamless, manages any tax liabilities and costs, and achieves what you want.

So yes, there’s lots of work involved even before we start drafting your legal documents.

And yes, there’s no AI involved. We do the thinking, analysing, and rationalising for you based on our extensive life experiences and a deep understanding of court cases and legislation and local knowledge too. And we draft our documents carefully and with precision, backed by systems and a national estate planning group.

Want to give us a go? Book your strategy meeting with a senior lawyer here: https://greatsouthernwills.com.au/book-your-consultation/ or call our office (08) 9800 1217.

20/09/2026

School holidays begin on 26 September 2026

Which is the same day as the AFL Grand Final.

Will Dockers win the Premiership? 💜⚓

Will you be heading to Stirling Terrace for the City of Albany’s Spring Social to celebrate?

And if you do and celebrate big time… it’s ok. It’s also the long weekend.

If you and your spouse have time over the holidays, why don’t you book in for an estate planning health check.

Do you have a Will?

Does your Will need to be updated?

Who will make financial and property decisions for you if you can’t? Do you need an Enduring Power of Attorney?

Who will make health, medical, and lifestyle decisions for you if you can’t? Do you need an Enduirng Power of Guardianship?

What about superannuation? Have you signed a Binding Death Benefit Nomination?

Lots of jargon isn’t there? Let’s cut through the legalese and have a heart to heart about what’s important to you and how we can secure your family’s future. Bring your kids in – we have a lounge room, toys, and chocolate!

Book your strategy session with a senior lawyer here: https://greatsouthernwills.com.au/book-your-consultation/ or call our office 08 9800 1217.

17/09/2026

9 documents

That's it.

We do what we do best!

What are these 9 documents you ask?

And it's not cookie cutter documents either.

Our senior lawyer will meet with you to discuss your family, your assets, your liabilities, your structures, your goals, your dreams... and assist you in formulating a bespoke and tailored estate plan. They will stress test your estate plan, work with your other advisers (if any) and also ensure your plan is practical, can be used, and seamless for your loved ones. We have a track history of our documents being used seamlessly and which reflect our client's wishes.

With good systems and processes in place for these 9 documents, there's also no need for AI in our firm. We work efficiently to ensure you also receive your documents in a timely manner.

Want specialist advice and documents? Book here: https://greatsouthernwills.com.au/book-your-consultation/ or call our office 9800 1217.

15/09/2026

It's true.

We have one of the most respected lawyers on our team.

When you hear laughter in the boardroom – Rino is here!

Rino is a valuable member of our team and clients often comment how down to earth he is, how well he explains legal concepts in plain English, and how he can draw upon his many years of legal experience.

Rino meets with our clients in our Albany office and at their homes in the Albany area to discuss Wills and Estate Planning.

Rino was admitted to the WA Supreme Court in 1985 and has many decades of legal experience. Senior partner of an Albany law firm, he was instrumental in the delivery of quality legal services to the region – one of his highlights was having his Will and legal advice left unchanged by the High Court of Australia.

Jogging one day at Middleton Beach while Bernadette was working on the business plan at Three Anchors was serendipitous. Great Southern Wills needed a senior lawyer to assist with increased demand for quality Wills and Estate Plans. Rino wanted to work more in the law and work for a law firm.

Thank you Rino Daniele for bringing your energy, expertise and experience to our law firm.

We are fortunate to have so much talent at Great Southern Wills – team members (like Rino Daniele) with integrity, who have empathy, who strive for excellence and who assist our local community.

If you would like to meet with Rino Daniele to discuss your estate planning strategy, book your appointment here: https://greatsouthernwills.com.au/book-your-consultation/or call our office (08) 9800 1217.

Great Southern Wills

15/10/2026

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29/09/2026

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