Make a windfall last a lifetime.
Inheritances, business sales, equity events, large redundancies and unexpected windfalls. Sudden wealth feels like the answer until tax, family pressure and lifestyle inflation quietly take it apart. We help Australians turn one-time wealth into a plan that survives the first few years.
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What's happening
- You have come into a significant sum through an inheritance, business sale, equity event, redundancy or settlement.
- Decisions feel urgent and you are not sure which ones are reversible.
- Tax is in play and you want to get the structure right before anything is locked in.
- Family and friends may already be asking, and you want a considered response.
- You want this money to do something lasting rather than quietly disappear.
What to think about in the first 90 days.
- 01
Handle tax early, not late
Capital gains on a sale, deemed dividends, foreign-income issues and CGT on inherited assets are often decided in the first weeks. Late tax advice almost always costs more than getting it in place early.
- 02
Watch for lifestyle inflation
A house upgrade, school fees, two cars and a new holiday cadence quickly become the floor rather than the ceiling. Build the lifestyle deliberately so it does not lock in costs you later regret.
- 03
Family loans and gifts
These conversations come up in almost every windfall and are often the most emotionally loaded. They usually need a clear structure rather than a simple yes or no.
- 04
Avoid concentration risk
Inherited share portfolios and founder equity often leave you concentrated, illiquid or mismatched to your risk. Diversification needs to happen, with tax timing in mind.
- 05
Use the structuring windows
Super contribution caps, small-business CGT concessions, family trusts and downsizer contributions each open windows. They can close quietly while other decisions absorb your attention.
- 06
Decide what the wealth is for
This is the least technical step and often the most important. Without a clear sense of purpose, family, lifestyle or legacy, the plan drifts towards whatever pressure is loudest in the room.
How we help
Investment advice
We build a diversified portfolio and a sustainable income strategy so the windfall is working for you rather than sitting idle or over-concentrated.
ExploreWealth management
We bring the whole picture together, with ongoing governance and reviews so the plan adapts as your circumstances change.
ExploreTax planning and structuring
We coordinate with your accountant on tax position, structure and any concession or rollover still in play, so more of the windfall stays with you.
ExploreQuestions we hear most often.
Have a question that is not here? Call 07 3399 2300 or book a consultation and we will answer it directly.
What's the first thing to do after a sudden wealth event?
Slow down on the irreversible decisions and move quickly on the urgent ones, mainly tax. Most regret here comes from decisions made in the first 30 days under emotional or family pressure. The right move is usually to ring-fence the assets, get tax advice in place and book proper advisory time before signing anything new.
Is there an inheritance tax in Australia?
There is no inheritance tax in Australia, but inherited assets carry tax implications. Inherited super death benefits can be taxed depending on the recipient, and inherited shares and property carry CGT cost-base rules. Foreign assets add further complexity, so we work with your accountant to handle each component properly.
Should I pay off my mortgage with a windfall?
Sometimes. Paying down debt is reassuring and removes a fixed cost, but for some clients keeping deductible debt and investing the windfall produces a better long-term outcome. We model both paths so the choice is made on the numbers.
Is the conversation confidential?
Completely. Sudden wealth conversations are confidential by default and nothing leaves the room without your authorisation. We coordinate with your accountant and lawyer only where you have asked us to.
Turn one-off wealth into lifelong security.
Get a written sudden-wealth plan covering tax, structure, family, lifestyle and the next ten years.