Fees for public trustee in QLD are here
http://www.pt.qld.gov.au/publications/fees-and-charges.html
We thought it was pretty straight forward:
If I die it all goes to my wife
If she dies it all goes to me
If we both die, who cares, we'll be dead.
We did set it up so certain named assets go to one family and certain named assets go to another family.
We did lay out steps to be taken, so not sure why it would be a problem.
I have heard "stories" about how bad they are but have not actually seen any evidence of it.
And never having used a solicitor or public trustee to handle my affairs when I die, I cannot honestly compare the two.
But who will process all this once you are dead? This is the problem. Applying for probate is a bit complicated. Its even more complicated when there is no will.
And acting as an executor for someone's will is not easy. It takes a lot of time and is stressful - especially when beneficiaries are eager to get their hands on the estate. The executor generally doesn't get paid - unless they are a professional. But they can apply to the Supreme Court to get payment - another complciation. Executors can also be liable for mistakes and debts incurred - eg. if they do not properly advertise or mistakenly distribute money they can be personally liable to a beneficiary who missed out.
The best way is to gift everything before you die - and then die with a tax debt.