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
Hobart, TAS · Hobart & South
McCulloch & Associates Solicitors provides legal services in Hobart, TAS. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
NSW · Hume & North East
Osborne & Osborne Pty Ltd provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Gunnedah, NSW · New England & North West
W.A. Baxter Solicitors provides legal services in Gunnedah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Eltham, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Carew Gartlan McClelland provides legal services in Eltham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Cannington, WA · Perth East
Castle Settlements provides legal services in Cannington, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Numurkah, VIC · Hume & North East
Commins Hendriks Solicitors provides legal services in Numurkah, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
Cronin Shearer Lawyers provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Planning & Environment and Commercial Property & Leasing.
Bega, NSW · South Coast
David Griffiths Lawyers provides legal services in Bega, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Lawyers Plus provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Geelong West, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
McIntyre & Statton provides legal services in Geelong West, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Newport, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Newport Law provides legal services in Newport, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Albury, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Paige Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Albury, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Divorce & Separation.
Tara, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
Sheehans Country Lawyers provides legal services in Tara, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Ayr, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
Crosby Brosnan & Creen provides legal services in Ayr, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Deniliquin, NSW · Riverina & Murray
David Grant provides legal services in Deniliquin, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Eden, NSW · South Coast
David Griffiths Lawyers provides legal services in Eden, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
Directlaw The Law Firm provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Building & Construction and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
Harding Legal provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
NV Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Conder, ACT · Canberra
Boland legal family lawyers provides legal services in Conder, ACT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Ringwood, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Brendan H Hardiman & Associates provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Ararat, VIC · Western District & Wimmera
Brown & Proudfoot provides legal services in Ararat, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Personal Injury and Workers Compensation.
Federal, NSW · Northern Rivers
Capital Lawyers provides legal services in Federal, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Altona, VIC · Western Melbourne
Clements Hutchins & Co provides legal services in Altona, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Debt Recovery.
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.
