Probate lawyers help executors obtain probate and administer the estate.
firms
970
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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
Athelstone, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(176)Google rating from 176 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Zed Legal Australia provides legal services in Athelstone, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Immigration & Visas and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreImmigration & Visas · Wills & Estates · Notary Public & JP Services · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Commercial Litigation · Corporate Law & M&A
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Heidelberg, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(170)Google rating from 170 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Andrews • Crosthwaite Lawyers incorporating ASAP Lawyers provides legal services in Heidelberg, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Notary Public & JP Services and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Park Orchards, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(159)Google rating from 159 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Madison Sloan Lawyers provides legal services in Park Orchards, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Partner & Family Visas · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Business & Commercial Law
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Cheltenham, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(158)Google rating from 158 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Kingston Lawyers provides legal services in Cheltenham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration
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West Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(155)Google rating from 155 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Solomon Hollett Lawyers provides legal services in West Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bella Vista, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(147)Google rating from 147 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Catron Simmons Lawyers provides legal services in Bella Vista, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Drink & Drug Driving · Probate & Estate Administration
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Wodonga, VIC · Hume & North East
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(146)Google rating from 146 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
McHargs Solicitors provides legal services in Wodonga, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Planning & Environment · Commercial Property & Leasing · Probate & Estate Administration · Skilled & Business Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(143)Google rating from 143 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Taitz Law & Associates provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+4 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Employment Law
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Salisbury, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(142)Google rating from 142 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
FJS Lawyers Adelaide provides legal services in Salisbury, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Williams Landing, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(138)Google rating from 138 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Kohli & Co Lawyers provides legal services in Williams Landing, 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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Buderim, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(137)Google rating from 137 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hawkes Lawyers Buderim provides legal services in Buderim, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brighton, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(133)Google rating from 133 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
A. Shenken & Co provides legal services in Brighton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Binding Financial Agreements.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dingley Village, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(133)Google rating from 133 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Littlejohn Legal provides legal services in Dingley Village, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wagga Wagga, NSW · Riverina & Murray
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(129)Google rating from 129 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Bower Wood Lawyers provides legal services in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cranbourne West, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(127)Google rating from 127 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
VK Lawyers and Conveyancers provides legal services in Cranbourne West, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Contract Law · Debt Recovery · Probate & Estate Administration
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.
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