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.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(137)Google rating from 137 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Anuja Baker Legal Services provides legal services in Bentleigh, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Partner & Family Visas · Parenting & Child Custody · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(135)Google rating from 135 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
RM Legal Sydney provides legal services in Harris Park, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Corporate Law & M&A · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Skilled & Business VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(132)Google rating from 132 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
MV Law provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Building & Construction, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Building & Construction+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Employment Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Commercial Property & Leasing
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(131)Google rating from 131 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Pugh Legal provides legal services in Bentleigh, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Notary Public & JP Services.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Notary Public & JP Services · Commercial Litigation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(130)Google rating from 130 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
O'Shea & Dyer Solicitors Townsville provides legal services in Townsville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Personal Injury.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(126)Google rating from 126 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Norton Legal provides legal services in Footscray, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Wills & Estates+7 morePlanning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Property & Conveyancing · Superannuation Death Benefits
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(114)Google rating from 114 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Fleming David - Solicitor provides legal services in Medowie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(111)Google rating from 111 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Connor Hunter Law Firm provides legal services in Cleveland, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law2 languages
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(106)Google rating from 106 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Mercurio & Co. Barristers & Solicitors provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
North Sydney, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(105)Google rating from 105 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Warren & Warren Incorporating the office of Adrian G Byrne provides legal services in North Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Commercial Property & Leasing · Family Law
Thornleigh, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(103)Google rating from 103 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Tara Jain Solicitors provides legal services in Thornleigh, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Tax Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Tax Law · Defamation · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(99)Google rating from 99 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cikron & Associates provides conveyancing services in Bentleigh, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(98)Google rating from 98 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Petherick Cottrell provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Divorce & Separation · Business & Commercial Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(97)Google rating from 97 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
McDonald E M & Co provides legal services in Mount Eliza, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Elder Law & Aged Care · Binding Financial Agreements · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(90)Google rating from 90 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Shad Partners provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Partner & Family Visas and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+6 morePartner & Family Visas · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(84)Google rating from 84 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Indian Law Expert provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Debt Recovery · Probate & Estate Administration · Employment Law · Divorce & Separation
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(82)Google rating from 82 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
C V Martin Legal Services provides legal services in Tuggerah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Commercial Property & Leasing
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(79)Google rating from 79 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Australian Probate Lawyers provides legal services in Nundah, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(77)Google rating from 77 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Douglas Hoskins Legal provides legal services in Hackham, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+6 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Administrative & Government Law · Binding Financial Agreements
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(77)Google rating from 77 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Douglas Hoskins Legal provides legal services in North Brighton, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+6 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Administrative & Government Law · Binding Financial Agreements
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(76)Google rating from 76 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Johnson's Solicitor's provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Business & Commercial Law · Traffic Offences · Probate & Estate Administration
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(75)Google rating from 75 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Harris Jodie provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Insolvency & Restructuring · Probate & Estate Administration · Building & Construction · Skilled & Business Visas
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.
