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
Robina, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Duncan & Duncan Solicitors Pty Ltd provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Immigration & Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Registered Migration Agent (non-lawyer)Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Main Beach, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Eden Lawyers provides legal services in Main Beach, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Eleanor Murphy & Co provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Victor Harbor, SA · Fleurieu & Kangaroo Island
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Encounter Conveyancing provides conveyancing services in Victor Harbor, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sanctuary Point, NSW · South Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kennedy & Cooke Lawyers, Narooma provides legal services in Sanctuary Point, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision
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Broome, WA · Pilbara & Kimberley
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kimberley & Pilbara Lawyers provides legal services in Broome, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Personal Injury · Planning & Environment · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
East Gosford, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Knibb Kaine & Associates provides legal services in East Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+4 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Manly Vale, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
McGowan Lawyers provides legal services in Manly Vale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Contested Wills & Family Provision and Criminal Law.
Traffic Offences+7 moreContested Wills & Family Provision · Criminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Wills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Drug Offences · Assault & Violent OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Albany, WA · Great Southern
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Narpyn Law & Conveyancing provides legal services in Albany, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Building & Construction
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Phillip, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
National Business Lawyers provides legal services in Phillip, ACT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Notary Public & JP Services.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Tuggerah, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peters Graeme provides legal services in Tuggerah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreWills & Estates · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sunshine, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Smith Family Law Sunshine provides legal services in Sunshine, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Vincent Butcher Lawyers provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Commercial Property & Leasing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Geraldton, WA · Mid West & Gascoyne
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Williams + Hughes: Litigation & Commercial Lawyers Geraldton provides legal services in Geraldton, WA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Probate & Estate Administration · Employment Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mildura, VIC · Mallee
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Zigouras J N & Co Lawyers provides legal services in Mildura, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Education Law and Medical Negligence.
Wills & Estates+7 moreEducation Law · Medical Negligence · TPD & Superannuation Claims · Workers Compensation · Probate & Estate Administration · Public Liability · Employment LawNo win, no fee
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Five Dock, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
A C Dunstan Lawyers provides legal services in Five Dock, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Drink & Drug Driving · Commercial Property & Leasing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bentleigh, VIC · South East Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
ADAM KERNAHAN provides legal services in Bentleigh, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Busselton, WA · South West
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
AMS & Co Legal provides legal services in Busselton, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Castle Hill, NSW · Hills District
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
BLUECREST LEGAL PTY LTD provides legal services in Castle Hill, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Riverstone, NSW · Hills District
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Cathers Mulley Kamiya Lawyers provides legal services in Riverstone, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Immigration & Visas+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Probate & Estate Administration · General Practice (regional generalist)
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maitland, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
East Coast Conveyancing provides conveyancing services in Maitland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Binding Financial Agreements · Probate & Estate Administration · Commercial Litigation
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Joondalup, WA · Perth North
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Gregson & Associates provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Elder Law & Aged Care · Business & Commercial Law · General Practice (regional generalist)
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mandurah, WA · Perth South
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
LLB Legal provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and 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.
