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
Port Macquarie, NSW · Mid North Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Mark Stocks Lawyers provides legal services in Port Macquarie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Family Property Settlement · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Child Protection & Care Matters
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sutherland, NSW · Southern Sydney
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
McKillop Legal provides legal services in Sutherland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Probate & Estate Administration, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sunshine West, VIC · Western Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Melbourne Contract Lawyers provides legal services in Sunshine West, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Contract Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Caloundra, QLD · Sunshine Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Michael Mason Lawyer provides legal services in Caloundra, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Mulvany T J & Co provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+6 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Surrogacy & Adoption · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
South Morang, VIC · Northern Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Ryan Carlisle Thomas Lawyers provides legal services in South Morang, VIC. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Wills & Estates and Public Liability.
Personal Injury+7 moreWills & Estates · Public Liability · Workers Compensation · Medical Negligence · Partner & Family Visas · Property & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate AdministrationNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Strathfield, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Shanahans Butlers Solicitors provides legal services in Strathfield, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Yass, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Taylor Legal provides legal services in Yass, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Devonport, TAS · North West & West Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
The Public Trustee provides legal services in Devonport, 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
Ballina, NSW · Northern Rivers
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
van Kempen & Associates provides legal services in Ballina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Commercial Property & Leasing.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreWills & Estates · Commercial Property & Leasing · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Strata & Body Corporate
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Vera Lawyers provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Immigration & Visas.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Immigration & Visas · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Binding Financial Agreements · Commercial Litigation3 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: hindi, punjabi
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bendigo, VIC · Bendigo & Loddon
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Victorian Land Transfers (Bendigo & Castlemaine) provides legal services in Bendigo, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Amanda Little & Associates provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Criminal Law · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Deer Park, VIC · Western Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Ascot Solicitors provides legal services in Deer Park, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Building & ConstructionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Caroline Springs, VIC · Western Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Ascot Solicitors provides legal services in Caroline Springs, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Belleli King & Associates provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.7 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: french, german, greek, malay, polish, tamil
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gosnells, WA · Perth East
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Biddulph & Turley provides legal services in Gosnells, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Divorce & Separation · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Boyd provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+4 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Notary Public & JP ServicesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Robina, QLD · Gold Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Coastal Law Group provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Commercial Property & Leasing · Business & Commercial Law · Retirement Villages & Aged Care Contracts
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Merimbula, NSW · South Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
David Griffiths Lawyers provides legal services in Merimbula, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Property Settlement · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Salisbury, SA · Adelaide Metro
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
DH Legal Migration and Conveyancing Pty Ltd provides legal services in Salisbury, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
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.
