Report into the Public Trustee of Queensland’s fees and charges released
The Public Advocate released her report today to the Attorney-General, The Honourable Shannon Fentiman MP on the review of the Public Trustee of Queensland’s fees and charges.
The Public Trustee provides financial management services to vulnerable Queenslanders, as well as will and estate administration services.
There were 32 recommendations made in relation to the Public Trustee’s services and engagement with its customers.
We understand the Public Trustee has already commenced a review of its operations, and fees and charges. One new initiative is the publication of Official Solicitor to the Public Trustee of Queensland fees and charges which are available here.
One of the key reforms includes the establishment of a Public Trustee Board to provide oversight and direction to the Public Trustee.
The full report may be accessed here.
Testamentary Guardians

If you were gone – what would happen to your kids?
It’s a really important question and quite frankly, not a very pleasant one to think about.
Did you know you can nominate guardians for your children in your will?
They are called “testamentary guardians” when nominated in your will.
I am sure your loved ones will be extremely grateful (if the need ever arises) that you have taken the time to appoint guardians for your children.
You can also provide guidance on the future care of your children.
You can provide guidance to your proposed guardians on decisions about your children’s future care, education and lifestyle.
The decisions you make can help your children and your family transition through their grief with a little less stress and chaos.
Like all aspects of your estate plan you should regularly review your choice of guardians and the guidance provided:
- Are they still appropriate?
- Are they still willing and able to act?
- As your children develop perhaps some of the suggestions you have made for their future education, extra-curricular activities and personal development may no longer be suitable or appropriate.
Regular reviews of the document will ensure it remains relevant to your children.
If you would like a checklist of items to consider when appointing a guardian send us an email and we will forward it to you.
The Pineapple Project Podcast: Death & Conversations about dying
This is the last episode of The Pineapple Project’s Podcast on death.
How do we talk to our loved ones about death? In what would have to be one of the most difficult conversations to have Jan Fran provides some personal tips and calls on the experts to offer suggestions and ideas on how you can talk about your death with those who matter most to you.
Click on the podcast icon below to link directly to the ABC broadcast.
Duration: 28min 18sec
Broadcast: Wed 1 Apr 2020, 2:00am
Credits
Producers: Karla Arnall and Clare O’Halloran
Sound Engineers: Angie Grant and Krissy Miltiadou
Theme Composer: Russell Stapleton
Host: Jan Fran
Executive Producer: Rachel Fountain
A production of ABC Audio Studios.
Advance Health Directives

Yesterday’s blog post linked to The Pineapple Project’s podcast on discussions in the ICU and the importance of advanced planning.
Advance Health Directives (or Advance Care Directives for our NSW clients) are an integral part of your estate plan.
An Advance Health Directive enables you to record your wishes or directions concerning your future health care. Those directions will be come effective if you lose the ability to make your own decisions in the future.
Who can make an Advance Health Directive?
Anyone who is over the age of 18 years and is capable of understanding the nature of their directions, and foreseeing the effects of those directions, can generally make an Advance Health Directive.
The purpose of an Advance Health Directive is to give you confidence that your wishes concerning your health care will be carried out if you cannot speak for yourself.
If treatment could prolong your life, what level of quality of life would be acceptable to you?
Your Doctor must help you complete your medical directions and explain the medical terminology to you, the treatment options available to you and the fact of your chosen directions.
Your solicitor will complete the document with you by explaining its legal effect to you and confirming you understand the effect of signing an Advance Health Directive.
You may change your Advance Health Directive at any time while you remain mentally capable of doing so. It is wise to review your directive every two years, or earlier if your health changes significantly. An Advance Health Directive is not a document to be filed away and forgotten.
If you would like to review your existing Advance Health Directive, or make a new one, call or email us here at Willwise for an appointment.
The Pineapple Project Podcast: Death & Decisions in the ICU
What health care would you want to receive if you were unable to communicate your wishes? Who would be your voice?
How do you make a health decision for someone else?
In this episode of The Pineapple Project Podcast on Death we listen in on stories about tough decisions made in ICU.
Queensland residents might consider whether an Advance Health Care Directive adequately documents your wishes for health care if you are unable to speak for yourself.
Click the podcast icon below to link directly to the ABC website where you can listen to episode 5 of the podcast series.
Duration: 23min 35sec
Broadcast: Wed 11 Mar 2020, 2:00am
Credits
Producers: Karla Arnall and Clare O’Halloran
Sound Engineers: Angie Grant and Krissy Miltiadou
Theme Composer: Russell Stapleton
Host: Jan Fran
Executive Producer: Rachel Fountain
A production of ABC Audio Studios.
Estate Myths – Superannuation

The Pineapple Project Podcast: Death – wills & post-it notes
You may have heard media reports about post-it note wills, or text messages considered to be a valid will.
Why do we avoid making a formal will?
What happens if we die without a valid will?
Do you really need to see a lawyer?
In this fourth episode of The Pineapple Project’s Death Podcast you will hear a discussion about the problems and pitfalls of will making and how you can avoid the common traps.
Click the podcast icon below to launch the ABC’s website where you can listen in on this conversation.
Duration: 28min 36sec
Broadcast: Wed 4 Mar 2020, 2:00am
Credits
Producers: Karla Arnall and Clare O’Halloran
Sound Engineers: Angie Grant and Krissy Miltiadou
Theme Composer: Russell Stapleton
Host: Jan Fran
Executive Producer: Rachel Fountain
A production of ABC Audio Studios.
The Pineapple Project Podcast: Death – Dead men tell no tales
In the third episode of The Pineapple Project’s Podcast on Death the discussion focuses on assets.
How do we know what assets someone owns?
Estate administration can sometimes be a bit of a mystery to be solved if detailed instructions and asset inventories are not left behind.
How can you prevent unnecessary stress and anxiety for your loved ones on your death?
Where do you start if you are left to administer an estate and have limited knowledge of the deceased person’s financial situation?
Click on the podcast icon below to link directly to the ABC podcast series so you can listen to this interesting discussion.
Duration: 25min 59sec
Broadcast: Wed 26 Feb 2020, 2:00am
Credits
Producers: Karla Arnall and Clare O’Halloran
Sound Engineers: Angie Grant and Krissy Miltiadou
Theme Composer: Russell Stapleton
Host: Jan Fran
Executive Producer: Rachel Fountain
A production of ABC Audio Studios.
The Pineapple Project Podcast: Death – Funeral planning
In this episode of The Pineapple Podcast they discuss funeral planning.
Have you ever had to arrange someone’s funeral? Do you know what questions you should ask the funeral director?
Click on the podcast icon below to link directly to Series 4, Episode 2 of the ABC’s The Pineapple Podcast to listen to some other people’s experiences with funeral planning.
Duration: 26min 41sec
Broadcast: Wed 19 Feb 2020, 2:00am
Credits
Producers: Karla Arnall and Clare O’Halloran
Sound Engineers: Angie Grant and Krissy Miltiadou
Theme Composer: Russell Stapleton
Host: Jan Fran
Executive Producer: Rachel Fountain