Wills & Estates
Probate lawyers help executors obtain probate and administer the estate.
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.
Executors are personally responsible for administering the estate correctly. Mistakes with debts, tax or distributions can leave them personally liable.
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.
Probate & Estate Administration firms in the directory
970 firms
Singleton, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Bestic Law provides legal services in Singleton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Notary Public & JP Services.
East Victoria Park, WA · Perth East
Camatta Lawyers provides legal services in East Victoria Park, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
North Isis, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
Dorrian Law provides legal services in North Isis, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Belmont, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Fennelly Legal provides legal services in Belmont, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Ardross, WA · Perth South
Graeme A Ryan & Associates provides legal services in Ardross, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Ulladulla, NSW · South Coast
Kennedy & Cooke Lawyers, Narooma provides legal services in Ulladulla, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Caulfield North, VIC · South East Melbourne
Konstantin F. Tringas provides legal services in Caulfield North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
Stojanovic Solicitors provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Darwin Cbd, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
Torney Legal provides legal services in Darwin Cbd, NT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Criminal Law and Family Law.
Dubbo, NSW · Central West & Orana
Booth Brown Legal provides legal services in Dubbo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
C V Martin Legal Services provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Clarke John provides legal services in Narooma, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Commercial Litigation.
Carlton, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Higgins Legal provides legal services in Carlton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
St Marys South, NSW · Western Sydney
Michael J. O'Doherty & Co provides legal services in St Marys South, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Devonport Cbd, TAS · North West & West Coast
Temple-Smith Partners provides legal services in Devonport Cbd, TAS. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
West Tamworth, NSW · New England & North West
West Tamworth Legal provides legal services in West Tamworth, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Burnie, TAS · North West & West Coast
Everett Flight & Associates Lawyers provides legal services in Burnie, TAS. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Croydon, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Remington Wright & Co provides legal services in Croydon, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Debt Recovery and Family Law.
Euroa, VIC · Hume & North East
Tehan George & Co - Law Firm - Euroa provides legal services in Euroa, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Mclaren Vale, SA · Adelaide Metro
Thomson & Associates provides legal services in Mclaren Vale, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
NSW · Hills District
Alan Fitton - Family Law provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Pennant Hills, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Blunden Lawyers provides legal services in Pennant Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Auburn, NSW · Western Sydney
Calvin Nelson & Co provides legal services in Auburn, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Newmarket, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
Cockburn Legal provides legal services in Newmarket, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Planning & Environment.
Understand the next step
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.
List family members, property, debts, companies, trusts and superannuation. Identify where original documents are held and which assets are jointly owned.
Ask what each document or application would achieve. Confirm which state rules and asset-ownership arrangements need to be considered.
Agree on signing, storage and future reviews, or on the executor’s responsibilities for records and distributions. Identify changes that should prompt further advice.
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.
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.
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
Not always. It depends on the assets and the institutions involved. Many banks require probate above certain amounts, and land usually requires it.
Obtaining probate often takes a few months. Finishing the administration takes longer, especially if there are claims or property to sell.
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.
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.
