Rod Genders is a senior Australian lawyer specialising in Wills and Estate Planning, Probate and Estate Administration, Trusts and Guardianship and Inheritance Claims and Contested Estates in South Australia. His boutique specialist law firm, which was founded on 1848, is one of the oldest and most respected in Australia. Rod is an international author and speaker. Rod is the 3rd generation of Genders in the law and has been practising specialised law since the mid 80’s. He has acted as counsel or consultant to in excess of 50 other firms around Australia. Rod holds the SA state record for the highest ever personal injury award of damages, and has been involved in several of the largest personal injury claims in Australian legal history. For over 10 years he served on the Council of the Law Society of South Australia and is a senior member of its Succession Law Committee. Rod was a founding committee member of the South Australian branch of the London-based Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP) for 8 years and was the founding Chair of the international STEP Digital Assets Special Interest Group. For over 25 years Rod has chaired a private committee enquiring into the affairs of protected persons. He is a member of the Law Council of Australia, and a member of its Succession and Elder Law Committee.

planning for the next disaster

Planning for the next disaster – make an Information Portfolio for your family

planning for the next disaster

When you are putting your affairs in order, put some time aside to make an Information Portfolio.

What is an Information Portfolio? It is a pouch, folder or binder where you keep important documentation and information about yourself, your family and your assets.

It is important to have one in case of an emergency, so you and the people you care about can find important information immediately

what happens to my social media when I die

What happens to my social media when I die?

what happens to my social media when I die

The term “social media” can be used to describe the content that makes up your social media presence ranging from images, photos, posts, blogs, comments, interaction, and any user-generated content with which you are associated (ie tagged).

When you die, your profile on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites remains part of your digital legacy, and often becomes a place where people go to memorialise their loved ones.

what you must do right now to secure your digital assets

What you must do right now to secure your digital assets?

what you must do right now to secure your digital assets

When it comes to securing your digital assets, we recommend that you follow our best practices to ensure that you and yours are better protected against potential brute force attacks.

We routinely recommend that everybody uses a Password Manager like LastPass to help secure your online and electronic files and accounts.

LastPass is the password manager we recommend. * disclosure – this is an affiliate link, which means that if you decide to purchase a LastPass subscription you’ll get the best price available.

death and taxes when is a tax return required for a deceased estate

Death And Taxes When Is A Tax Return Required For A Deceased Estate?

death and taxes when is a tax return required for a deceased estate

Executors of deceased estates are often confused about whether and when to lodge tax returns on behalf of the deceased person and their estate.

Ask yourself: if these were your own personal financial affairs would you have an obligation to lodge an income tax return?

The Deceased (and their representative) has fundamentally the same requirements to lodge a return as any individual taxpayer.

top 7 things retirees need to know

Top 7 Things Retirees Need To Know

top 7 things retirees need to know

Baby Boomers are retiring in record numbers, and seniors need to know how to best plan for both themselves and their loved ones.

There are definitely some sure-fire approaches to take – as well as some serious pitfalls to avoid.

1. Put Your Affairs In Order

The first step to putting your affairs in order is to take specialist advice: a lawyer who specialises in estate planning; a financial planner who specialises in retirement planning’ an accountant who specialises in tax planning.

why i am securing my online accounts and you should too

Why I Am Securing My Online Accounts and You Should Too

why i am securing my online accounts and you should too

Protecting your digital assets – your electronic and online accounts and data – has never been more important.

In 2023 Australia, our digital security laws are about to be reformed following multiple major Australian data breaches.

Over a six-month period in late 2022, Australia suffered multiple major data breaches that each affected 1 million or more people, according to the latest statistics by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

hell hath no fury like an ex-wife twice deceived

Hell hath no fury like an ex-wife twice deceived

hell hath no fury like an ex-wife twice deceived

England’s second-highest court has granted an ex-wife a THIRD bite at the cherry – 12 years after the divorce, because her ex-husband kept lying about (not disclosing) his assets.

In February 2023, Julia Goddard-Watts (the wife) won the first stage of her appeal against an England and Wales Family Court judgment that left her with less than 10 per cent of the assets from her 14-year marriage to businessman James Goddard-Watts (the husband).

will your executor and attorney be able to locate and access your assets

Will your executor and attorney be able to locate and access your assets?

will your executor and attorney be able to locate and access your assets

As our lives increasingly move to online digital platforms, it is becoming more important to help your executor access your “digital assets” after you die.

Digital assets include social media accounts, shopping accounts, bank or investment account details, entertainment collections, gambling accounts, and the like.

In 2020 the NSW Law Reform Commission released its report*, which found that 92% of people do not include details with their Will.

what is my digital profile and why should i care

What is my Digital Profile and why should I care?

what is my digital profile and why should i care

In our digital‑first world, where Google has replaced the telephone directory and business cards have been supplanted by LinkedIn, our online digital profiles are the first impression we give to the world and the primary source of information that others will use to research us.

Our digital profile plays a huge role in both online and offline reputation, privacy and security management.

We need to focus on our digital profiles through the lens of our true audience, whether that be family members, prospective employers.