Probate lawyers help executors obtain probate and administer the estate.
firms
970
regions
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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.
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cape to Cape Lawyers Busselton office provides legal services in Busselton, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hall G H Barrister & Solicitor provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Personal Injury and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+6 morePersonal Injury · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · TPD & Superannuation Claims · Skilled & Business VisasNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
MAGUIRE BARNES FAMILY LAWYERS provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Partner & Family Visas · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rudall & Rudall Lawyers provides legal services in Elizabeth South, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Personal Injury.
Ballarat Central, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
David Eldridge - Lawyer provides legal services in Ballarat Central, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mitchells Solicitors provides legal services in Moorooka, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Health & Medical Practitioner Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Searson Shannon & Co. Pty Ltd provides legal services in Port Macquarie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Beck Legal provides legal services in Bendigo, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Wills & Estates · Agribusiness & Rural Law
★★★★★★★★★★3.4(25)Google rating from 25 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
MAGUIRE BARNES FAMILY LAWYERS provides legal services in Chermside, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Partner & Family Visas · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Amanpreet Kaur provides legal services in Clyde North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Binding Financial Agreements · Probate & Estate Administration · Partner & Family Visas · Planning & Environment
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
MVAA Legal provides legal services in Mount Waverley, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Not-for-Profit & Charity Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Partner & Family Visas5 languages
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ROC Legal provides legal services in Bundaberg Central, QLD. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Contested Wills & Family Provision and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Personal Injury+7 moreContested Wills & Family Provision · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Public Liability · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consult
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(24)Google rating from 24 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Saxton Peter & Co provides legal services in Miranda, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Probate & Estate Administration.
Criminal Law+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Wills & Estates · Debt Recovery · Partner & Family Visas · Building & Construction · Commercial Litigation
★★★★★★★★★★3.7(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dellios West & Co provides legal services in Fairfield, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(23)Google rating from 23 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Oakhill Lawyers provides legal services in Carlton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreWills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bilson Law - Family Lawyer provides legal services in Erina, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Property Settlement.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Property Settlement · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
GILL LAWYERS provides legal services in Bella Vista, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Debt Recovery · Notary Public & JP Services · Probate & Estate Administration
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(21)Google rating from 21 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Sward Law provides legal services in Figtree, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Wills & Estates+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
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.
