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.
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(74)Google rating from 74 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bevan & Co Lawyers provides legal services in Queanbeyan, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Drink & Drug Driving · Probate & Estate AdministrationNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: spanish
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(71)Google rating from 71 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Adelta Legal provides legal services in College Park, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship5 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: mandarin, italian, spanish, french
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(71)Google rating from 71 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Hannaway Lawyers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(67)Google rating from 67 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Fairlove & Goodman provides legal services in Berrinba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Divorce & Separation · Binding Financial Agreements · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary TrustsFree first consult
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(66)Google rating from 66 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Butler McIntyre & Butler provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(65)Google rating from 65 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Gavan J Black provides legal services in Surrey Hills, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+3 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(64)Google rating from 64 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Evans Family Lawyers provides legal services in Bowral, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Personal Injury and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+6 morePersonal Injury · Wills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(63)Google rating from 63 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Shal Lawyers & Associates provides legal services in Toongabbie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Commercial Property & Leasing · Notary Public & JP Services · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(62)Google rating from 62 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Macedon Ranges Family Law provides legal services in Gisborne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Wills & Estates+5 moreFamily Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Probate & Estate Administration · Partner & Family Visas · Planning & Environment
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(61)Google rating from 61 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Impero Conveyancing provides legal services in Cardiff, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Criminal Law · Retirement Villages & Aged Care Contracts · Divorce & Separation
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(56)Google rating from 56 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Fong & Co provides legal services in Glen Waverley, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+7 morePlanning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Building & Construction · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(56)Google rating from 56 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Shamac Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(53)Google rating from 53 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
SR Lawyers & Migration Services provides legal services in Werribee, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+6 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Immigration & Visas · Family Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Probate & Estate Administration
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(52)Google rating from 52 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
McIntosh McPhillamy & Co provides conveyancing services in Bathurst, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Family Law · Criminal LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(51)Google rating from 51 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Bradley & Bray Lawyers provides legal services in Nambour, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Brooks Lawyers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Personal Injury · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Clayhills Solicitors provides legal services in Cabramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Divorce & Separation · Immigration & Visas · Maritime & Admiralty LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter Murphy & Associates provides legal services in Albert Park, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Notary Public & JP Services.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Notary Public & JP Services · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Elder Law & Aged Care
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Taylor Law & Conveyancing provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Planning & Environment.
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Novatsis & Alexander Solicitors provides legal services in Thornbury, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Partner & Family Visas · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(45)Google rating from 45 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ebejer & Associates Lawyers provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Probate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Notary Public & JP Services · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: french
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.
