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
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
Deceased Estate Lawyers Perth provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kent Town, SA · Adelaide Metro
Eminent Lawyers provides legal services in Kent Town, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Immigration & Visas · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cooma, NSW · Snowy Monaro
Emma Schlachter provides legal services in Cooma, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Robina, QLD · Gold Coast
Gold coast German Club provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Caloundra, QLD · Sunshine Coast
Gullickson Lawyers provides legal services in Caloundra, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Essendon, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Hughes Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Essendon, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Debt Recovery · Family Law · Partner & Family Visas · Probate & Estate Administration2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: italian
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Drummoyne, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
Hunter Lawyers provides legal services in Drummoyne, 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
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Karratha, WA · Pilbara & Kimberley
Karratha Legal Alliance provides legal services in Karratha, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+4 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Corowa, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Kell Moore Lawyers & Conveyancers Wangaratta provides legal services in Corowa, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Building & Construction · Commercial Property & Leasing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ulladulla, NSW · South Coast
Kennedy & Cooke Lawyers, Narooma provides conveyancing services in Ulladulla, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Narooma, NSW · South Coast
Kennedy & Cooke Lawyers, Narooma provides legal services in Narooma, 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
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Merimbula, NSW · South Coast
Kennedy & Cooke Lawyers, Narooma provides legal services in Merimbula, 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
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Albany Creek, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
Lockett McCullough Lawyers Noosa provides legal services in Albany Creek, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Heidelberg, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Melling Legal provides legal services in Heidelberg, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Newcastle, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Monaco Compensation Lawyers Noosaville provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+5 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & EnvironmentNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consult
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ballarat Central, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
Morrow & McKenzie provides conveyancing services in Ballarat Central, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Agribusiness & Rural Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Budgewoi, NSW · Central Coast
Nash Allen Williams & Wotton provides legal services in Budgewoi, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Partner & Family Visas · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Planning & EnvironmentFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Strathfield, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
O'Hara & Company provides legal services in Strathfield, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Box Hill, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Otway Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Box Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Commercial Property & Leasing · Immigration & Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Griffith, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Paula Johns Legal provides legal services in Griffith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gosford, NSW · Central Coast
PBL Law Group provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Strata & Body Corporate, Planning & Environment and Wills & Estates.
Strata & Body Corporate+7 morePlanning & Environment · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Building & Construction · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Probate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Loganholme, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Rick Byrne Lawyers provides legal services in Loganholme, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+4 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Building & ConstructionNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
SCB Legal provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Criminal Law · Property & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Divorce & Separation · Drug Offences · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
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.
