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Wills and estate planning, the PaxAnimi® way.

About PaxAnimi® - makes the complex, simple.

PaxAnimi® is a law firm that delivers a complete, effective will and estate planning service, online. 

PaxAnimi’s lawyers have over 35 years of experience in helping people do effective estate planning. PaxAnimi’s legal team has found that most people want very similar things from their estate planning. 

PaxAnimi® has developed its innovative and unique Screening Tool to deliver a structured approach to will preparation and its effective estate planning service. It is no longer necessary for lawyers to create bespoke outcomes for each new client. 

The Screening Tool guides willmakers through PaxAnimi’s 5 stages, 7 rules and 7 risks of effective estate planning – it makes the complex, simple! 

PaxAnimi® provides a lawyerless, online solution to willmakers for the preparation of their will and estate planning documents if they fit a profile in the Screening Tool.

Completed online, PaxAnimi’s Screening Tool goes far beyond a kit will or basic online will. PaxAnimi’s Standard Service uses optional testamentary trusts that can deliver an opportunity for tax effective outcomes and protection against the risks of passing wealth on death. 

Don’t miss your ultimate deadline. Use PaxAnimi® to complete your will and estate planning documents.

What is estate planning?

Estate planning is about a person (willmaker) putting in place a plan to protect themselves, their family and their assets if they lose their capacity and for when they die.

Effectively preparing for loss of capacity and death is about much more than purchasing and signing a basic online will, power of attorney (about financial needs) and guardianship appointment (about personal care) or a $100 document kit from the newsagent. 

Apart from signing a carefully considered will, power of attorney and guardianship appointment, effective estate planning ensures that:

  • the willmaker makes a considered decision about what they want to happen when they lose their capacity or die; and
  • what the willmaker wants to happen, happens in the way they want it to and with the maximum effect.

That is why effective estate planning also deals with the taxation considerations and the risks to the passing of assets on loss of capacity and death and the housekeeping required to get maximum effect of the plan that is put in place.

If the willmaker does not have an effective estate plan in place and they lose their capacity, an application may need to be made to a Government tribunal for someone to be appointed to manage their financial needs and personal care. Not only might someone be appointed that the willmaker would not appoint but the person who is appointed may do things differently to the way that the willmaker would want.

If a willmaker does not have an effective estate plan in place when they die, NOT ONLY MIGHT ASSETS NOT PASS IN THE WAY THE WILLMAKER WANTS but a valuable opportunity will be lost:

  • for their beneficiaries to SAVE TAX on the income from investment of the gifts the willmaker wants to give them; and
  • to PROTECT ASSETS against the various risks that need to be taken into account when passing assets on death.

PaxAnimi® has structured estate planning to make the COMPLEX, SIMPLE! 

PaxAnimi® uses its 5 stages, 7 rules and 7 risks to guide willmakers through the estate planning process.

Note that you do not need any financial information from your accountant or financial adviser to complete your estate planning with PaxAnimi®. 

PaxAnimi® provides an effective estate planning service that does not compromise on quality just because it is delivered online.

It’s all in our name!

Pax Animi – Latin – “peace of mind”

Definition – noun, phrase: a feeling of being safe or protected.

PaxAnimi® delivers peace of mind in knowing that you have provided for your family in life and in legacy.

What is PaxAnimi® Estate Planning?

PaxAnimi® delivers a comprehensive, effective will and estate planning service. Online. PaxAnimi® brings estate planning up to speed. The way it should be post 2020. PaxAnimi’s service, works! PaxAnimi’s wills and estate planning documents meet what most willmakers want. 

PaxAnimi’s online service can deliver the same quality outcome as meeting face to face with a lawyer, in a fraction of the time and cost. 

PaxAnimi® is more than a kit will. PaxAnimi® includes optional testamentary trusts, delivering the opportunity for tax benefits and protection against risk. 

Whether you’re doing your own will, or you’re an accountant, financial adviser, lawyer or employer wanting to offer estate planning, PaxAnimi® works for most willmakers. Cost effectively and online.

PaxAnimi’s structured approach is based on its 5 stages, 7 rules and 7 risks of effective estate planning. Using this structure, and its innovative and unique Screening Tool, PaxAnimi® leads the willmaker through the estate planning process, making the complex, simple. 

PaxAnimi’s guided decision making means anyone can complete their will and estate planning – anywhere, anytime – removing repeat meetings with a lawyer, saving you time and cost!

What is the PaxAnimi® Screening Tool?

The PaxAnimi® Screening Tool is the name PaxAnimi® has given to its online estate planning application.

PaxAnimi’s Screening Tool consists of its 5 Stages approach to effective estate planning. The willmaker is guided through the 5 Stages, making their choices at each stage of the estate planning process. 

As the willmaker works their way through each stage, they have easy access to Learn More. The Learn More guides the willmaker through their estate planning choices. 

The reason PaxAnimi® has called its application a Screening Tool is that willmaker’s screen themselves into their chosen estate planning outcome without having to complete a lengthy Q&A. So that when the willmaker gets to the end of the 5 Stages, if they fit a profile in the Screening Tool, their will and estate planning documents can be sent to them immediately, online, without the need to have spoken with a lawyer.

Why can PaxAnimi® do estate planning, online?

The PaxAnimi® online Screening Tool works because:

  • there are only 4 profiles to manage when doing estate planning and those profiles are parents with children, a parent with children, partners without children and a single person without children;
  • most parents want to leave everything to one another, then to their kids equally, then the grandkids and then have an agreed wipeout outcome if all of the family doesn’t make it;
  • most other willmakers want to leave everything to one another or nominated beneficiaries and then have an agreed wipeout outcome if all of their beneficiaries don’t make it;
  • estate planning involves the same recurring issues;
  • the recurring issues have the same solutions;
  • most people’s circumstances are very similar;
  • most people want the same outcomes from their estate planning.

So there is no need:

  • to complete a lengthy Q&A;
  • for the willmaker to send their lawyer information held by the willmaker’s accountant or adviser about their personal and financial universe;
  • for lawyers to ask further questions of the willmaker about what they want to do with their estate planning,

only for the lawyer to get to the end of that process and tell the willmaker that what the willmaker wants is what most other people want.

That is why repeat face to face meetings with lawyers are not required only for the willmaker to be charged for the time that it takes the lawyer to work out that what the willmaker wants is what most other willmakers of that profile want to do with their estate planning.

Why is PaxAnimi® innovative & unique?

Using its 5 stages, 7 rules and 7 risks of effective estate planning, PaxAnimi® has packaged the process by which it:

  • provides information to the willmaker;
  • avoids the need for costly and sometimes repeated face to face meetings;
  • empowers the willmaker to cost effectively instruct PaxAnimi® how to assist the willmaker with their effective estate planning;
  • gets the willmaker to screen themselves into an agreed outcome for the preparation of the willmaker’s estate planning documents (which is where the Screening Tool expression arises).

If the willmaker:

  • uses PaxAnimi’s 5 stages, 7 rules and 7 risks of effective estate planning and fits a profile in doing that; and
  • accepts the assumption and conditions of PaxAnimi’s Screening Tool,

the willmaker’s requirements can be readily documented without the need to spend with the willmaker the time that is otherwise required to:

  • review information about their personal and financial circumstances; and
  • for a lawyer, in the traditional 1 on 1 full face to face process, to ask them all of the questions that are necessary to shape their estate planning documents.

That means the willmaker is not paying a lawyer for time to:

  • collect and screen information about them;
  • tell the willmaker all of the things the willmaker needs to know,

only to get to the end of the process and say that what the willmaker wants is very similar to what 95% of 95%+ of other people want to do with their estate planning. Please be assured that the PaxAnimi® online service does not compromise the quality of the end product that the willmaker receives. 

The willmaker still receives the 1st class documents of the traditional full face to face service. Those documents will give quite a long range solution if the willmaker’s circumstances and those of their beneficiaries don’t change substantially. 

The PaxAnimi® estate planning service is innovative because it is now the 1st estate planning service to deliver an end to end estate planning service and documents online, in real time, without the need to speak to a lawyer.

This requires the willmaker to fit a profile in the PaxAnimi® Screening Tool and to accept the assumptions and conditions that are on the Screening Tool.

Key benefits of PaxAnimi®

Quick to complete

PaxAnimi’s Screening Tool can take just 30-60 minutes to complete. You are guided through the process, at your own pace. If you fit a profile and accept the assumptions and conditions, all the advice you need to get your documents is included in the online service.

Access anywhere, anytime

Complete your documents using your own device anytime, anywhere, 24 x 7. If you exit at any time, your data and choices will be saved. Access and review your finalised estate planning documents and decisions online at any time and without charge.

No repeat meetings

If you fit a profile and accept the assumptions and conditions, your premium quality documents can be prepared and delivered without you having to meet with a lawyer or your accountant or financial adviser.

Tax benefits & risk protections

Using optional testamentary trust structures, the PaxAnimi® service can deliver an opportunity for tax benefits and risk protections to the willmaker’s family and beneficiaries.

Immediate online delivery

If you fit a profile and accept the assumptions and conditions, your documents can be delivered immediately once you place your order and pay.

Try before you buy

There is no charge until after you have used PaxAnimi’s Screening Tool service and you then decide to place your order and pay.

Complete service, online

PaxAnimi’s outcome is the same as if you met with an estate planning lawyer or your accountant or financial adviser. Saving you time and money! It is not just a set of documents.

Get support from real lawyers

PaxAnimi® is a law firm, not an IT service provider. You are dealing with real lawyers with $10m professional indemnity insurance. It is just that the PaxAnimi® service is delivered in real time, online.

Cost-effective, fixed fees

PaxAnimi’s fixed fee service can cost the willmaker less than half of many traditional estate planning services, providing superior value for a comparable service.

How do we compare?
Type Traditional estate planning PaxAnimi® Standard Service PaxAnimi® Simple Service
How long does it take to finalise my plan?
Typically 14 days to 3+ months
Can be in as little as 1 hour other than for signing your documents and any further support or further advice you may want
Can be in as little as 1 hour other than for signing your documents and any further support or further advice you may want
How much does it cost?
Anything from $5,000 to $15,000 or more + GST
PaxAnimi® charges from $2,950 + GST including signing + witnessing of PA and GA but not advice or housekeeping
PaxAnimi® charges from $1,450 + GST including signing + witnessing of PA and GA but not advice or housekeeping
Is the process simple?
Not always
Yes - the complex made simple
Yes - the complex made simple
Is a detailed and lengthy Q&A required to complete the process?
Normally, yes
Not more than 16 questions, some of which include your name and address, the name of your children
Not more than 8 questions, some of which include your name and address, the name of your children
Is information required from my accountant to complete the process?
Normally, yes
Not if you fit a profile in the Screening Tool, but it is always best to consult your accountant.
Not if you fit a profile in the Screening Tool, but it is always best to consult your accountant.
Is lawyer participation required to complete the documents?
Yes
No, other than for signing the documents, the solution can be lawyerless if you fit a profile in the Screening Tool and accept the assumptions and conditions
No, other than for signing the documents, the solution can be lawyerless if you fit a profile in the Screening Tool and accept the assumptions and conditions
How many times do I need to meet with my lawyer before I can sign my documents?
Often, from 2 to 3
0
0
How long does it take to get to the signing of the documents?
Normally, anything from 14 days to 3+ months
Can be as little as 1 hour
Can be as little as 1 hour
Is my accountant required to participate in the process?
Often, yes
Not if you fit a profile in the Screening Tool. It is always best to consult your accountant
Not if you fit a profile in the Screening Tool. It is always best to consult your accountant
Is my financial adviser required to participate in the process?
Often, yes
Not if you fit a profile in the Screening Tool. It is always best to consult your financial adviser
Not if you fit a profile in the Screening Tool. It is always best to consult your financial adviser
Are my legal documents and plans easy to read?
Not always
Yes, they are always in plain English
Yes, they are always in plain English
What documents are included in the service?
Usually a will, power of attorney and guardianship appointment
Comprehensive will with optional testamentary trusts (that allow for a choice of a flexible and 2 capital protected trusts), power of attorney, guardianship appointment & an estate planning report about what you have done & why and a complete housekeeping report to tell you how to maximise the outcome from your estate planning
Will, power of attorney and guardianship appointment
Is the service just a set of documents?
Sometimes, yes
No, PaxAnimi® offers a holistic process dealing with the 5 stages, 7 rules and 7 risks to estate planning
No, PaxAnimi® offers a holistic process dealing with the 5 stages, 7 rules and 7 risks to estate planning
Does the will solution have an option for a contract by which spouses agree not to change their will after the earlier death of 1 of them without the consent of the children?
Not always
Yes
No
So that assets can be protected for the children, does the will solution have an option for a contract by which spouses agree to have a pre-nuptial agreement if 1 of them dies and the survivor has a new relationship?
Not always
Yes
No
So that assets can be protected against the relationship breakdown, does the will solution give the option for capital protected trusts to help protect against Family Court claims and challenges to the will of a beneficiary?
Not always
Yes
No
Does the will solution give the option for flexible testamentary trust outcomes to protect against the bankruptcy of a beneficiary?
Not always
Yes
No
Does the will solution give the option for tax effective testamentary trust outcomes?
Not always
Yes
No
Does the will solution allow for a delay in the passing of control of a gift if a beneficiary is suffering from a problem with drugs, alcohol, gambling or mental illness?
Not always
Yes
No
Does the will solution allow for a legacy for equality between beneficiaries to even things up if before you die you have given more to one child than another?
Not always
Yes
No
Does the will solution allow for passing control of company and trust wealth, particularly so the majority cannot do the wrong thing by the minority?
Not always
Yes
No
Does the will solution allow for the staggering of the time at which control passes to your children and other beneficiaries so they do not get too much too soon?
Not always
Yes
No
Does the will solution have a mechanism to help cope with unwanted taxation outcomes where there are non-resident beneficiaries?
Not always
Yes
No
Does the will solution allow for the tax effective streaming of income?
Not always
Yes
No
Does the will solution specifically permit your surviving spouse to claim all of your superannuation benefits and avoid any claim about a conflict of interest if they are also your executor?
Not always
Yes
No
Does the will solution allow for an executor who is your lawyer or accountant to charge for their services in acting as your executor?
Not always
Yes
No
Does the will solution protect your executor if your executor inadvertently overlooks the obligation to comply with their prudential investment management obligations under the Trustee Act?
Not always
Yes
No
Does the will solution give the flexibility for the executor and beneficiaries to effectively redistribute assets fairly if that is going to give a better outcome than what is provided for under the will?
Not always
Yes
No
Is the solution offered a long range solution?
Not always
Yes
No
If I am married and do not yet have children, will the will solution provide for my having children?
Not always
Yes
No
If I am married and have children, will the will solution provide for my having more children without needing to change my will?
Not always
Yes
No