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What Happens to Your Wealth When You Die? The Truth About Estate Planning

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8th May 2025

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About this episode

What happens to your wealth, your business, and your family when you’re no longer here?

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of estate planning, business continuity, and how to protect your legacy with Shannon Smit, chartered accountant, financial advisor, and founder of Smart Private Wealth. Whether you’re a business owner, a parent, or simply someone who wants to ensure your loved ones are taken care of, this conversation is packed with practical advice, eye-opening insights, and a few surprises you might not see coming.

In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Smit, a financial expert with over two decades of experience helping individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of estate planning, tax, and wealth protection. Shannon shares her journey from working in global financial hubs like New York and Amsterdam to returning to her roots on the Mornington Peninsula to build a thriving local practice.

We explore the importance of estate planning, not just for the wealthy, but for anyone who wants to ensure their assets are distributed according to their wishes. Shannon breaks down the often-overlooked details, like how superannuation and life insurance policies don’t automatically form part of your estate, and why updating your binding death benefit nominations is crucial.

For business owners, Shannon shares invaluable advice on creating business continuity plans, including the importance of successor directors and buy-sell agreements. She also discusses how to systemise your business to protect its value and ensure it can continue to thrive, even if you’re no longer at the helm.

Throughout the conversation, Shannon emphasises the importance of open communication, proper documentation, and seeking professional advice to avoid common pitfalls that can lead to family disputes, unexpected tax bills, or the erosion of your hard-earned wealth.

Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.

Take care,

Catherine

Show notes

Guest Bio
Podcast Guest - Image
Shannon Smit

B.Bus. Chartered Accountant | Registered Tax Agent | Financial Advisor | Licenced Mortgage Broker

Shannon is the Founding Director of Smart Business Solutions Group and Smart Private Wealth.

With a career spanning global firms in New York, Prague, Amsterdam and Melbourne, before settling back to the Peninsula, Shannon established Smart Business Solutions Group in 2007. Shannon is an active investor with a specialised interest in property portfolios, SMSF and superannuation strategies, and applying her business tax expertise to ensure our clients wealth is considered holistically, always looking to ensuring investments are suitable from an individual and structural perspective. An active and trusted member of the Australian Board of Tax Advisory Panel, Shannon is also a skilled expert in transfer pricing and international tax.

As the most awarded individual advisory professional, and the leader of the most awarded business advisory firm on the Mornington Peninsula, Shannon and the team at Smart Business Solutions Group are your partners in wealth accumulation, protection and management for today and beyond.

Summary

Key points from our discussion:

  • Estate Planning Basics: What it is, why it’s essential, and how to get started.
  • Superannuation and Life Insurance: Why these assets don’t automatically form part of your estate and how to ensure they’re distributed correctly.
  • Testamentary Trusts: How they can protect your assets from bankruptcy, divorce, and unnecessary taxes.
  • Blended Families and Complex Situations: Strategies to ensure your wealth stays in the bloodline and avoids disputes.
  • Business Continuity Planning: The importance of successor directors, buy-sell agreements, and systemising your business.
  • The Cost of Not Planning: Real-life examples of how poor planning can lead to family disputes, unexpected tax bills, and the erosion of wealth.
Transcript

1 00:00:00,850 --> 00:00:05,820 The unfortunate thing is 50 percent of estates these days are 2 00:00:05,820 --> 00:00:10,400 challenged and 70 percent of those that are challenged are successful. 3 00:00:10,650 --> 00:00:14,350 And I'll tell you the number one reason is because it's not at their expense. 4 00:00:14,730 --> 00:00:18,389 So when an estate is challenged, guess who pays for it? 5 00:00:18,599 --> 00:00:21,090 The person challenging the estate doesn't pay for it. 6 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:23,459 The actual person that pays for it is the esta ... Read More

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