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
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Parke Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Health & Medical Practitioner Law
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Launceston, TAS · Launceston & North
★★★★★★★★★★2.9(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ROSS ANTHONY HART provides legal services in Launceston, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Box Hill, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Spencer Alexander Lawyers provides legal services in Box Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Binding Financial Agreements · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Buying or Selling a BusinessFree first consult
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Point Cook, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sutton Family Law provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+6 moreWills & Estates · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & ConveyancingFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Shepparton, VIC · Hume & North East
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tehan George & Co - Law Firm - Euroa provides legal services in Shepparton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Partner & Family Visas · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Business & Commercial Law · Building & Construction
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Singleton, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Umbrella Legal provides legal services in Singleton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Workers Compensation · Family Law · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law2 languages
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Rockingham, WA · Perth South
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Warner Legal provides legal services in Rockingham, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+3 moreFamily Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Browns Plains, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Wheldon Solicitors provides legal services in Browns Plains, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
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Subiaco, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
AVA Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Subiaco, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Building & Construction · Probate & Estate Administration · Commercial Property & Leasing · Debt Recovery · Partner & Family Visas
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Albury, NSW · Riverina & Murray
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Belbridge Fleming Law provides legal services in Albury, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Deakin, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Campbell & Co. Lawyers provides legal services in Deakin, ACT. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mount Waverley, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ESTHER TAN LAWYERS & NOTARY PUBLIC provides legal services in Mount Waverley, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: mandarin
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Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hunter Lawyers provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Commercial Litigation.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Commercial Litigation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Probate & Estate Administration · Partner & Family Visas
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Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
J P O'Neill provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
JMV Law provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+2 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law
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Glen Waverley, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kohli & Co Lawyers provides legal services in Glen Waverley, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Traffic Offences.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Traffic Offences · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Commercial Litigation
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North Sydney, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Maurice Buckley C T Poole & Son Solicitors provides legal services in North Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Surrey Hills, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★3.8(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mian Phillips & Co provides legal services in Surrey Hills, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maylands, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Parkside Legal provides legal services in Maylands, SA. Listed practice areas include Probate & Estate Administration, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Business & Commercial Law.
Probate & Estate Administration+6 morePowers of Attorney & Guardianship · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Personal Injury
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Bundall, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Probate Law Centre provides legal services in Bundall, QLD. Listed practice areas include Probate & Estate Administration, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Probate & Estate Administration+5 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Partner & Family Visas · Building & Construction · Immigration & Visas
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Chatswood, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Roseville Legal Services provides legal services in Chatswood, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Probate & Estate Administration · De Facto Relationships · Binding Financial Agreements · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consult
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Fremantle, WA · Perth South
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(6)Google rating from 6 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Western Legal provides legal services in Fremantle, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Building & Construction and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBuilding & Construction · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
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.
