Aspen Corporate's financial planning department evolved to become its own separate entity, Aspen Corporate Financial Planning Pty Ltd, in 2015. Aspen Corporate Financial Planning Pty Ltd is committed to providing a comprehensive range of practical financial planning services to individuals and businesses so they are achieving what is important to them financially. Go to Aspen Corporate Financial Planning Pty Ltd website.

The Australian Government continues to encourage us to financially prepare for our retirement. For many of us, a key component of this is our superannuation. Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSF) enable the member to obtain a level of control over their investment strategy. However, it is important to properly consider whether a SMSF is right for you.

With the additional control and flexibility that you obtain through a SMSF there is also greater responsibility. The legislation regarding your superannuation benefits are complex and regularly updated. You are responsible.

Prior to setting up a SMSF you should consider matters including:

• The establishment and ongoing costs of running a SMSF
• Understanding your obligations as a member and trustee. If you get it wrong it is your responsibility and there can be significant consequences. 
• You will make the investment decisions. These decisions will affect your investment returns. Do you have time? Will your decisions comply with the superannuation and taxation legislation?

It all sounds a bit daunting. Our professional advisors can assist you with understanding your obligations and help to simplify some of the processes for you including:

• Establishing your Self-Managed Superannuation Fund 
• Provide you with administration services through our online portal 
• Advise on taxation and compliance issues
• Liaising with your financial planners or referring you to a financial planner 
• Superannuation Audits

Estate Planning is more than ensuring a will has been prepared. A well-considered and documented estate plan provides a map of your intentions on how your assets are to be distributed and will help avoid conflict between your estate's beneficiaries.

In preparing your estate plan there are many factors beyond the preparation of your will that need to be considered, including:

• Power of attorney (Who makes decisions if you are incapacitated?)
• Enduring Guardianship (Who makes the medical and lifestyle decisions if you are mentally incapacitated?)
• Minimising taxation implications on the distribution of assets
• Testamentary trusts. (These are trusts created through your will that hold assets on behalf of beneficiaries) 
• Business continuity issues
• Have you considered how to deal with your non-estate assets?

To help you achieve your intended outcome, together with you, we consider your circumstances and objectives and formulate a map on how to proceed.  We can then engage legal professionals to provide legal services.