Profile
Donna Benge is a Partner in Piper Alderman’s Private Client Services practice, advising on complex estate, succession and wills planning, including trusts and estate litigation and superannuation, as well as long‑term wealth preservation and business continuity.
Donna advises on the structuring and alignment of ownership, control and decision‑making across trusts, companies and family enterprises. Her work regularly involves advising directors, trustees, boards and shareholders on fiduciary obligations, governance issues and succession frameworks to support effective and orderly transitions of wealth and control.
Her advisory practice is underpinned by extensive experience implementing estate and succession strategies in practice. Donna is regularly appointed to administer deceased estates as well as private giving funds, and oversees the execution of wealth transfer and control arrangements, giving her a strong understanding of how strategies operate in real‑world family and commercial circumstances.
Donna also advises on disputes involving trusts and estates, bringing commercial judgment, risk awareness and strategic insight to sensitive and high‑stakes matters.
Donna is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), reflecting her commitment to staying at the forefront of emerging issues in trust law, international developments and the application of global best practice for the benefit of our clients.
Expertise
Recognition
Accolades
- Best Lawyers in Australia – Recognised for Wealth Management / Succession Planning Practice (Adelaide, AU) – Since 2022 edition
- Doyle’s Guide – Leading Wills & Estates & Succession Planning Lawyers – South Australia, since 2017 edition
- Doyle’s Guide – Leading Wills & Estates Litigation Lawyers – South Australia, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2022 editions
Recent deals and media coverage
- Young lawyers learn the ropes for SA emerging industries – InDaily, 7 December 2021
Memberships
- Co Vice Chair & Secretary, STEP South Australia
- Member, SMSF Association
- Director, Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia
- Board member, Flinders Foundation
Insights
27 May 2024
Distribution deliberations: How trustees of discretionary family trusts can protect themselves
Read More02 November 2022
A Family Divided: New obligations on trustees of discretionary family trusts
Read More06 March 2020
What happens when a charity’s purpose can’t be amended? Lessons from Bushfire Fundraising and the...
Read More03 July 2019
A new dawn for superannuation complaints – Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)
Read More12 September 2018
Attorneys & Super – can they make a valid Binding Death Benefit Nomination?
Read More16 November 2017
No second bite at cherry for former spouse – Lodin v Lodin overturned on appeal
Read More10 November 2017
Are life insurance policies protected from a deceased person’s post-death tax liabilities?
Read More13 July 2017