Michael Perkins

Profile

Michael is a lawyer, author and educator with over 30 years experience in trusts, estates and private client practice.

He is a strong supporter of Supported Decision Making as a method of client care in professional practice and dealing with the orderly management of a person’s interest as they age.

As complexities increase for clients managing their families and business interests, Michael is shaking up the status quo. Most professionals manage and deliver transactions for clients. In addition Michael helps resolve broader complexity and conflict in the lives of his clients, where possible without resort to litigation or other dispute resolution processes.

This capability is born from Michael’s decades of knowledge of the law and deep understanding of how families need to operate to sustain themselves across generations.

He helps clients deal with the practical, strategic and operational needs of their businesses, conservation of their assets, activating community and philanthropic interests and planning for succession to their estate over time.

Where business, investment or commercial interests are also involved Michael applies a multidisciplinary approach in dealing with the challenges of achieving growth, asset protection, estate governance and succession. Methodologies finessed with experience are applied suiting globalising businesses as well as families making plans to manage their wealth for the benefit of subsequent generations and their valued broader communities and connections.

In conjunction with consultant clinical neuropsychologist Dr Jane Lonie of the Autonomy First group, Michael provides consultation about a person’s Decision Making Ability and and helps them and their families respond constructively to that person being cognitively challenged.

The Capacity & Capability Clinic has substantial experience across a broad range of medico legal, legal and commercial issues. Michael’s experience includes expertise in business structuring and reorganisation, construction, family disputes, building services, agribusiness, hospitality, professional services, film and media production, and digital media production, publishing, distribution and marketing.

In 2022 Michael was appointed to the STEP – Advising Families Across Generations Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Mental Capacity Global SIG (Special Interest Group) Steering Committee. In addition, he is:

• a Trust and Estates Practitioner (TEP) member of the international Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (“STEP”)
• Founder and member of Academic Community of STEP and its Diminished Capacity and Vulnerable Client working group
• Co-author of the book “Estate Planning: A Practical Guide for Estate and Financial Services Professionals”, published by LexisNexis, first published in 2005 and recently updated for its fifth edition
• Co-author of the “Estate Planning – Core Principles and Practice” chapter contribution to Financial Planning in Australia (10th edition), by Sharon Taylor, published by Lexis Nexis
• Author and co-author of numerous publications and presentations in the field of trust and estates law and practice as well as commercial law.