Wills & Estates · Geelong & Surf Coast
11 probate & estate administration firms in Geelong & Surf Coast, Victoria, including Geelong, Torquay.
11 firms
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
EAS Legal Melbourne provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Probate is the court's confirmation that a will is valid and that the executor may deal with the estate. Where there's no will, a family member applies for letters of administration. Lawyers prepare the application, deal with banks and the land titles office, and advise executors on their duties.
Executors are personally responsible for administering the estate correctly. Mistakes with debts, tax or distributions can leave them personally liable.
Probate is granted by the Supreme Court of each state. Executors must usually advertise their intention to apply, deal with the ATO on final tax returns and wait out claim periods before distributing.
Understand the next step
Explain your role and whether an executor has been appointed or an application already made. Administration involves collecting information, addressing liabilities and recording decisions, not simply distributing belongings.
Confirm the scope of executor assistance, application work, asset transfers and accounting before comparing fees.
Geelong and Torquay are grouped with the Surf Coast for browsing. For a property, building or business matter, make clear whether you need advice before signing or help resolving an existing disagreement.
For probate & estate administration, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant VIC experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Geelong & Surf Coast. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
List family members, property, debts, companies, trusts and superannuation. Identify where original documents are held and which assets are jointly owned.
Ask what each document or application would achieve. Confirm which state rules and asset-ownership arrangements need to be considered.
Agree on signing, storage and future reviews, or on the executor’s responsibilities for records and distributions. Identify changes that should prompt further advice.
Compare a simple-will quote with more involved planning or estate administration. Ask about searches, applications, valuations and coordination with an accountant.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Provide the date of death and any estate correspondence promptly. Ask about relevant deadlines before distributing assets, signing a release or assuming a dispute can wait.
In Victoria, the Magistrates' Court hears most criminal and minor civil matters, with the County Court and Supreme Court handling more serious cases. Residential tenancy, planning, building and discrimination disputes often go to VCAT. Lawyers are regulated by the Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner, which also handles complaints.
Good to know
Not always. It depends on the assets and the institutions involved. Many banks require probate above certain amounts, and land usually requires it.
Obtaining probate often takes a few months. Finishing the administration takes longer, especially if there are claims or property to sell.
Most matters start in the Magistrates' Court. More serious cases go to the County Court or the Supreme Court of Victoria. Family law matters are heard by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Victorian Land Transfers (Bendigo & Castlemaine) provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Geelong Legal provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Torquay, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Roy Morris & Co PTY LTD provides legal services in Torquay, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Drysdale, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Ristevski Lawyers provides legal services in Drysdale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Pearsons Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Wills & Estates.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Ben von Einem & Associates provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Harris Jodie provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Belmont, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Fennelly Legal provides legal services in Belmont, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Geelong West, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
McIntyre & Statton provides legal services in Geelong West, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Madisons Lawyers provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Practising certificates in Victoria are managed by the Victorian Legal Services Board. You can check a solicitor's status on its public register or by contacting it directly.