In this episode of the Australian Retirement Podcast, Drew Meredith is joined by Caite Brewer, a Queensland barrister who specialises in wills, estate disputes and superannuation. They unpack the estate-planning mistakes that can create years of conflict after someone dies, including DIY wills, informal wills, probate disputes, family provision claims and poor communication inside families. Caite explains why a will written on a napkin can sometimes still be valid, what solemn form probate actually means, and why executors, blended families and warring siblings can end up in court for years. The conversation also dives into superannuation, binding death nominations and family trusts. Drew and Caite explore why super is often treated differently from the rest of an estate, how small SMSF paperwork errors can derail a plan, and why specialist advice matters when family wealth is spread across wills, trusts and super. They also discuss elder abuse, the warning signs families miss, and the practical steps that reduce the risk of disputes. The biggest takeaway is simple: communicate early, keep documents current and get proper estate-planning advice before a crisis forces the issue. If you want a clearer understanding of wills, inheritance disputes, probate, super death benefits and the real-world risks of poor succession planning, this episode is a practical starting point. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:00 Kate's Specialisation 03:10 Types of Probate 06:23 Challenging a Will 09:21 Family Provision Claims 17:11 Blended Families & Siblings 25:13 Statutory Wills 27:19 Communication in Families 29:48 Super & Estate Planning 34:44 Family Trusts 39:46 Elder Abuse 44:04 Common Estate Myths 46:29 Key Takeaways Episode resources - Ask a question (select the Retirement podcast): https://bit.ly/R-quest Show partner resources - Visit TermPlus to learn more https://termplus.com.au/?utm_source=rask&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=retirement_seekers&utm_term=general&utm_content=youtube_description - Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit: https://bit.ly/Pearler Rask resources - All services: https://bit.ly/R-services - Financial Planning: https://bit.ly/R-plan - Invest with us: https://bit.ly/R-invest - Access Show Notes: https://bit.ly/R-notes - Ask a question: https://bit.ly/R-quest - We love feedback! https://raskau.typeform.com/to/ZbfHy6IP Follow us on social media - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rask.invest - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg