Probate lawyers help executors obtain probate and administer the estate.
firms
970
regions
16
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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.
Why probate & estate administration matters
Executors are personally responsible for administering the estate correctly. Mistakes with debts, tax or distributions can leave them personally liable.
The Australian context
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.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Warragul, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Armour provides legal services in Warragul, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ascot, WA · Perth East
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Futureproof Co provides legal services in Ascot, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Wills & Estates+6 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial LawFree first consult
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Booval, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter Chappel provides legal services in Booval, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Warragul, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
SJD Law - Lawyers & Conveyancing provides legal services in Warragul, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Broadmeadow, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
East Coast Conveyancing provides legal services in Broadmeadow, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Binding Financial Agreements · Probate & Estate Administration · Commercial Litigation
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Ringwood, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kenney Legal provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Elder Law & Aged Care · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Doncaster East, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
RJ Legal provides legal services in Doncaster East, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bundaberg Central, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ballantine Law provides legal services in Bundaberg Central, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bluebells Lawyers provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mount Warren Park, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Morgan Solicitors provides legal services in Mount Warren Park, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Health & Medical Practitioner Law
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Noosaville, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
TJS Law provides legal services in Noosaville, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Peakhurst, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dph Lawyers provides legal services in Peakhurst, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Criminal Law · Commercial Property & Leasing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Terese Wacyk Legal provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Personal Injury.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Personal Injury · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Public Liability · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & SeparationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Watson & Watson provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Building & Construction, Strata & Body Corporate and Commercial Litigation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ascendia Accountants & Lawyers - Maroochydore provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+8 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Elder Law & Aged Care · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · General Practice (regional generalist)
Understand the next step
A practical guide to probate & estate administration
What to discuss at the first meeting
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.
How the engagement may progress
01
List family members, property, debts, companies, trusts and superannuation. Identify where original documents are held and which assets are jointly owned.
02
Ask what each document or application would achieve. Confirm which state rules and asset-ownership arrangements need to be considered.
03
Agree on signing, storage and future reviews, or on the executor’s responsibilities for records and distributions. Identify changes that should prompt further advice.
Fees and the scope of work
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.
Dates to raise at first contact
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.
Questions to ask a probate & estate administration adviser
Is an application needed for this estate?
Which tasks can I undertake and which will you handle?
Does the scope address assets outside my own name?
Who is the client if relatives attend together?
What information is needed before documents can be finalised?
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.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is probate always required?
Not always. It depends on the assets and the institutions involved. Many banks require probate above certain amounts, and land usually requires it.
How long does it take?
Obtaining probate often takes a few months. Finishing the administration takes longer, especially if there are claims or property to sell.
How much does a will cost?
Many firms offer simple wills for a fixed fee. Wills involving trusts, blended families, business interests or overseas assets cost more because they need more planning.
Can I contest a will?
Close family members, and some others who depended on the person who died, can apply for a greater share if they were not adequately provided for. Strict time limits apply, often within months of the death, and they differ between states.
