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
Charlestown, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Charlestown Law Firm provides legal services in Charlestown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Binding Financial Agreements · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Geelong Legal provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Immigration & Visas · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Criminal LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gosford, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hudson Peter Lawyer & Conveyancer provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Rosebud, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
McGuinness Legal provides legal services in Rosebud, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Divorce & Separation · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Orman Solicitors provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, International Family Law & Hague Abduction and Wills & Estates.
Family Law+7 moreInternational Family Law & Hague Abduction · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · De Facto Relationships · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Property & Conveyancing
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Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Queensland Lawyers provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Caddens, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sorella Law provides legal services in Caddens, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Employment Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Traffic Offences
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Coolum Beach, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Barber Porter Solicitors provides legal services in Coolum Beach, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+3 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Elder Law & Aged Care
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Boyarkina Lawyers provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Harper Davison Solicitors provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Goulburn, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Johnson & Sendall provides legal services in Goulburn, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Traffic Offences · Criminal Law · Partner & Family VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Port Macquarie, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Priest Legal provides legal services in Port Macquarie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Notary Public & JP Services · Parenting & Child Custody
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Margaret River, WA · South West
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cape to Cape Lawyers Busselton office provides legal services in Margaret River, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
East Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Conveyancing 4 U provides legal services in East Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Buying or Selling a Business · Probate & Estate Administration2 languages
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mount Gambier, SA · Limestone Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ASW Lawyers provides legal services in Mount Gambier, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Criminal Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Agribusiness & Rural Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Jandakot, WA · Perth South
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Biddulph & Turley provides legal services in Jandakot, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Divorce & Separation · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mount Pleasant, WA · Perth South
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Biddulph & Turley provides legal services in Mount Pleasant, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Divorce & Separation · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cronulla, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Gibson Howlin Lawyers provides legal services in Cronulla, NSW. Listed practice areas include Insolvency & Restructuring, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Insolvency & Restructuring+8 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Personal Bankruptcy · Business & Commercial Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · General Practice (regional generalist)
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Launceston, TAS · Launceston & North
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Grant Tucker provides legal services in Launceston, TAS. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Jacaranda Law provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Elder Law & Aged Care · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consult
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.
