How Your Relationship Status Impacts Where Your Assets Go

In Queensland, moving in together, getting married, separating or divorcing can have unexpected consequences for whoever inherits your assets, receives your superannuation or makes important decisions on your behalf.

This article highlights practical examples for how your relationship status can impact your existing estate planning documents – such as your Will, an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) or Superannuation Binding Death Benefit Nominations (BDBNs) – and potentially impact your intentions for who will have access to your assets.

Moving in together

Living together in a de facto relationship doesn’t automatically invalidate your Will. However, your partner may acquire rights to make a claim against your estate, even if you haven’t included them in your Will. In addition, if you die without a will, your partner may become entitled to your estate.