Wills & Estates
Probate lawyers help executors obtain probate and administer the estate.
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.
Probate & Estate Administration firms in the directory
970 firms
Baulkham Hills, NSW · Hills District
Langenberg Law Pty Ltd provides legal services in Baulkham Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Sutherland, NSW · Southern Sydney
Navitas Legal provides legal services in Sutherland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Debt Recovery and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Berri, SA · Riverland & Murraylands
Riverland Legal & Conveyancing provides legal services in Berri, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Cranbourne, VIC · South East Melbourne
Ryan Carlisle Thomas Lawyers provides legal services in Cranbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Wills & Estates and Public Liability.
Newtown, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
ASH Legal provides legal services in Newtown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Medical Negligence, Wills & Estates and Personal Injury.
Kew, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Ball Robert H provides legal services in Kew, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Partner & Family Visas.
Kew East, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Ball Robert H provides legal services in Kew East, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Partner & Family Visas.
Balcatta, WA · Perth North
Barnard Lawyers provides legal services in Balcatta, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Bundall, QLD · Gold Coast
Chancery Legal provides legal services in Bundall, QLD. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Building & Construction and Property & Conveyancing.
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
Crosby Brosnan & Creen provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Moruya, NSW · South Coast
Fleming Law Pty Ltd provides legal services in Moruya, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Wyoming, NSW · Central Coast
Goldrick Farrell Mullan Lawyers incorporating Michael Daly Solicitors provides legal services in Wyoming, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
Paffas Lawyers provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
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.
Milton, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Watt & Severin Solicitors provides legal services in Milton, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Oakleigh, VIC · South East Melbourne
Campbell & Shaw provides legal services in Oakleigh, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Oakleigh, VIC · South East Melbourne
Campbell & Shaw provides legal services in Oakleigh, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Ulverstone, TAS · North West & West Coast
Cann Legal provides legal services in Ulverstone, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Notary Public & JP Services and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
East Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
Contested Will and Estate Lawyers provides legal services in East Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Contested Wills & Family Provision.
Charlestown, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Landmark Legal provides legal services in Charlestown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Rosebud, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
Mulligan Lawyers provides legal services in Rosebud, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Karratha, WA · Pilbara & Kimberley
Oswald Legal provides legal services in Karratha, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Hadfield, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Resolve Legal provides legal services in Hadfield, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
Simons George Legal provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Contract Law.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
