“Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
Leo Tolstoy
About Us
Legacy Law is a law firm committed to simplifying some of the complexity in your life.
Families! You can’t choose them… all you can do is love and protect them, and we all know that’s not as straightforward as it sounds.
No family is the same. Yours is different to mine, and our experience has shown us it is much, much easier to navigate and execute complex generational legacy plans for families we don’t belong to and this is what we do best.
At Legacy Law we are:
- Dedicated to protecting the assets in your family tree.
- Discreet knowing that everything that we do for you has a big impact.
- Differentiated by our long-term Personal Service to you and your family.
We specialise in solutions that prevent family discord and preserve family harmony. After all – family is everything
To our valued clients we offer a relationship, not just a transaction.
Our Services
Protecting Business Owners
New South Wales is one of the most litigious jurisdictions in the world, which is only good for lawyers. The commercial reality of joint and several liability, cross financing and guarantees is so prevalent that we may all be exposed to the consequences of the mistakes or actions of others.
To help protect business owners in this environment, we recommend advising all directors and partners, new and existing, on how to manage and protect assets in a joint and several landscape.
We offer tailored advice to small and large organisations, especially fellow lawyers – as we know as well as anyone that the lawyer who acts for himself has a fool for a client.
We will listen to your specific concerns and work with you to design protection and guidance that fits your unique business and family dynamics.
Estate Planning
Your wealth may be the largest lump sum your children ever get. Without using testamentary trusts and other strategies, much of it can be lost if your child gets sued or divorced and the income can be taxed like a bonus cheque (at the beneficiary’s highest marginal tax rates).
We take a pragmatic approach to estate planning. Our experience has shown it is essential to have a clear plan in place BEFORE the time comes to pass on your legacy.
This plan can protect your estate against unforeseen taxes and helps anticipate any conflict. A pragmatic plan will protect your legacy against unintended outcomes.
Family Business Succession
Businesses take out insurance but not everything is insurable. Who is authorised to sign cheques and act as a director of each of your companies if you are not available? Did you know that your personal Power of Attorney cannot sign as a director or a trustee for you?
As a business owner – being prepared for an unforeseen transfer of control (temporary or permanent) is as, if not more, important than getting the business ready for sale.
Your exit strategy may involve testing,
planning and recalibrating the skills of new leaders on a regular basis. You may have training guidelines and promotion pathways in place, and a thorough exit plan ensuring your shares are transferred to the right people at the right price at the right time. But, have your substitute decision-makers got a brief as what “right” means to you?
Latest Insights
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View ArticleTestimonials
“Legacy Law gently coerced my wife and I to document our wishes in relation to our family and our businesses so that in the event that something happened to either of us there was the right legal structure but also the right information readily to hand for people we trust to manage in our absence. There were no surprises on fees and I am very pleased that we went through this process. I see the value in Legacy Law’s work and recommend them to people with young families and business interests..”
Ryan Meldrum
CEO, Journey Early Learning Group
“I have recommended Donal to many of my clients that includes Partners at Deloitte and all of the experiences have been extremely well received by my clients. Donal has explained complex structures and options in a way that clients and their spouses understand. There have never been any surprises on fees or delivery expectations.”
Leonard Gennusa
Fitzpatricks
“As a Company Secretary and mother I understand the importance of a clearly defined Estate plan to help protect my family but despite its importance, I continually put it off. Donal Griffin took the time to understand my family circumstances and quickly demystified and simplified the process of Estate planning. A one hour meeting with Donal and my husband resulted in a clear and concise strategy designed specifically to protect our family. I now have in place a strategy designed by Donal with my family’s interests protected.”
Kara Nicholls
Chartered Secretary
“Donal helped my wife and I put in place wills to protect our assets and consider what is best for our children. He helped us realise that the ‘do nothing’ option was not particularly palatable. Donal’s great strengths are his ability to make the issues and solutions simple to understand and in tactfully helping us discuss topics that are not normally dinner table conversation! My wife and I got great comfort knowing that we have put protections in place for our family. The project ran smoothly and to our agreed timeframes.”
Geoff Gill
Tax Partner, Deloitte
“Donal is by far the most professional Estate Planning Lawyer in Sydney. Not only has a wonderful manner with clients but he also values service which is not the norm in his industry. I can highly recommend him”
Santi Burridge
Implemented Portfolios
“Donal suggested that a family agreement would be the best document to achieve [the goals he helped me to reveal] and I must say that having done that it has worked out for us even better than I imagined.
It is always a compromise working with family but well worth it providing the ‘rules’ are clear so the clarity of Donal’s agreement meant that the rules were all set out and agreed to by everyone so we can just get on with the business.
I have been and continue to be impressed by Donal’s professionalism and caring and thoughtful approach. He really listened and advised for our particular circumstances. This made it a painless and rewarding experience which I would recommend to any family business.“
P, property developer (satisfied client, name withheld but reference can be sought)
Let us help you plan and protect your wealth and family
Donal Griffin is a lawyer with over 25 years experience in private client and business matters. He has worked in large and boutique firms in Australia, the UK and Ireland (from where he hails). Donal is passionate about helping people navigate some of the complexities of life. In fact, he is proud that clients and referrers refer to his ability to simplify complex legal arrangements.
Schedule an AppointmentCall for Service Today
(02) 9188 3980
