HNW Individuals

Comprehensive Wealth Management for High Net Worth Individuals

High Net Worth (HNW) individuals and their families navigate a unique financial landscape defined by wealth preservation, tax optimization, complex asset structures, and intergenerational succession. Managing substantial wealth requires moving beyond basic retail financial advice toward sophisticated, institutional-grade wealth planning. At Executive Advisors, our Private Wealth desk designs customized, comprehensive wealth strategies from our Brisbane office in Fortitude Valley, protecting your family capital and positioning it for sustainable growth.

We do not sell pre-packaged financial products or accept commissions. Our fee-for-service model ensures complete alignment with your family's objectives. By coordinating tax planning, asset protection, and estate structures, we help you manage risk, optimize investment returns, and build a lasting legacy across generations.

"Managing high net worth wealth requires balancing growth with capital preservation. A structured approach that integrates tax-effective entity planning, disciplined asset allocation, and family estate governance is essential to sustain wealth across generations."

Core Strategies in HNW Wealth Management

Our private wealth services are designed to protect capital, optimize tax outcomes, and establish robust family structures to secure your wealth.

1. Tax-Effective Family Trust & Corporate Structuring

Holding significant investment portfolios in individual names exposes high earners to Australia's top marginal tax rate of 47.0%. We design and implement discretionary family trusts with corporate trustees. These structures isolate investment capital from personal liabilities, allow tax-effective income distribution among family members, and ensure seamless asset continuity without triggering capital gains tax (CGT) events.

2. Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs)

For HNW clients seeking maximum control and flexibility, we establish and manage Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs). An SMSF allows direct investment in commercial property, physical gold, and bespoke international equities, utilizing limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBAs) to leverage property acquisitions while enjoying superannuation's concessionally taxed environment (15.0% accumulation, 0.0% pension phase).

3. High-Conviction Asset Allocation

We design customized investment portfolios tailored to your liquidity requirements and risk tolerance. Our portfolios incorporate a mix of direct domestic and global equities, high-yield fixed income, private debt, and alternative assets (including private equity and real estate), ensuring diversification and hedging against inflation and market volatility.

4. Intergenerational Estate & Succession Planning

Transferring wealth to the next generation introduces significant relational and tax risks. We design comprehensive estate plans that incorporate testamentary trusts within wills to protect beneficiaries from divorce, bankruptcy, and spendthrift risks. We also manage the tax implications of superannuation death benefits, preventing unexpected tax liabilities on non-dependent beneficiaries.

The HNW Wealth Management Journey

We guide HNW individuals and families through a structured, four-phase planning lifecycle designed to organize, protect, and grow your wealth.

01

Discovery & Balance Sheet Audit

We compile and audit your family balance sheet, analyzing asset structures, investment portfolios, debt levels, tax exposures, and estate documents to identify structural risks or inefficiencies.

02

Structural Optimization & Trust Setup

We establish your investment structures—such as family trusts with corporate trustees or SMSFs—securing tax registrations and drafting constitutions to protect family interests.

03

Portfolio Construction & Asset Allocation

We build your investment portfolio, executing direct equity trades, securing alternative assets, and placing fixed-income capital to optimize your risk-adjusted returns.

04

Family Governance & Ongoing Review

We establish family councils to educate the next generation on wealth stewardship, conduct quarterly portfolio audits, and adjust your plan for regulatory or tax law changes.

HNW Wealth Structure Comparison

Choosing the right investment structure requires balancing asset protection, tax efficiency, setup costs, and operational control.

Investment Structure Asset Protection Level Tax Profile (Income / CGT) Regulatory Compliance Investment Flexibility
Discretionary Family Trust High (assets isolated from personal creditors). Flows to beneficiaries; access to 50% CGT discount. Moderate; requires annual trust returns and resolutions. High; global equities, property, private debt, and alternatives.
Self-Managed Super (SMSF) Very High (protected under bankruptcy law). Concessional (15.0% accumulation; 0.0% pension phase). High; requires annual independent audits and ATO returns. Very High; direct property, gold, unlisted shares, and loans.
Investment Bond Moderate (protected if held for specified terms). Taxed at 30.0% internally; tax-free withdrawal after 10 years. Low; managed directly by issuer. Moderate; restricted to menus provided by the bond issuer.
Individual Ownership None (assets fully exposed to personal litigation). Marginal individual tax rates (up to 47.0%). Low; reported on individual tax return. High; complete individual freedom of investment choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an individual and corporate trustee for a family trust? +
An individual trustee model appoints family members personally to hold legal title to trust assets. This exposes trustees to personal liability for trust debts and requires changing asset titles if a trustee passes away or changes. A corporate trustee is a specialized, proprietary company set up solely to act as trustee. This isolates trust liabilities to the company assets, protects directors, and provides structural continuity as directors can change without altering asset titles.
What are the tax implications of superannuation death benefits? +
Superannuation death benefits paid to "tax dependents" (spouses, minor children, or financial dependents) are generally tax-free. However, benefits paid to non-dependents (such as adult children) are subject to tax, typically 15.0% on the taxed element and 30.0% on the untaxed element. We implement strategies—such as recontribution plans or testamentary trust allocations—to manage these tax exposures.
How does debt recycling build wealth for HNW individuals? +
Debt recycling involves using equity in your home to secure an investment loan. You use the loan funds to buy income-producing assets (shares or property) and use the investment income and tax refunds to pay down your non-deductible home loan. You then redraw the principal to invest further, converting non-deductible personal debt into tax-deductible investment debt, accelerating wealth creation.