Probate lawyers help executors obtain probate and administer the estate.
firms
970
regions
16
AI-generated editorial image
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
Lennox Head, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Salt & Stone Lawyers provides legal services in Lennox Head, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
South Bunbury, WA · South West
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
South West Community Legal Centre provides legal services in South Bunbury, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Launceston, TAS · Launceston & North
★★★★★★★★★★3.5(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
The Public Trustee provides legal services in Launceston, TAS. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ringwood, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Van Lierop Lawyers provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Yass, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Davis Faulkner & Co provides conveyancing services in Yass, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Planning & Environment · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
De Marco Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Insolvency & Restructuring · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Lalor, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Demarte Lawyers provides legal services in Lalor, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
West Tamworth, NSW · New England & North West
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Edmonds & Collins Legal + Conveyancing provides legal services in West Tamworth, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Eaton, WA · South West
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Garvey Chris Lawyer provides legal services in Eaton, WA. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Notary Public & JP Services+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Planning & Environment · Maritime & Admiralty LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Torquay, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Roy Morris & Co PTY LTD provides legal services in Torquay, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Oakleigh, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Russo Pellicano Carlei Lawyers provides legal services in Oakleigh, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Armidale, NSW · New England & North West
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Watson McNamara & Watt provides legal services in Armidale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wangaratta, VIC · Hume & North East
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Webb Legal provides legal services in Wangaratta, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Balcatta, WA · Perth North
★★★★★★★★★★3.4(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Appius Lawyers provides legal services in Balcatta, WA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Parenting & Child Custody · Partner & Family Visas · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bella Vista, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Branston Neville Lawyers provides legal services in Bella Vista, 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 · Criminal Law · Employment Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Geebung, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Donovan Legal provides legal services in Geebung, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Evolution Legal provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
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.
