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
Altona North, VIC · Western Melbourne
Clements Hutchins & Co provides legal services in Altona North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Debt Recovery.
NSW · Central West & Orana
Evans G P & Englert provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
FEJ Law provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Toowoomba City, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
Ferrier & Co Solicitors Roma provides legal services in Toowoomba City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wahroonga, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Knibb Kaine & Associates provides legal services in Wahroonga, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Madisons Lawyers provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Sanctuary Point, NSW · South Coast
Marriott Oliver provides legal services in Sanctuary Point, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wodonga, VIC · Hume & North East
Morgan Couzens Legal provides legal services in Wodonga, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Seymour, VIC · Hume & North East
Tehan George & Co - Law Firm - Euroa provides legal services in Seymour, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Ivanhoe, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Templer Legal provides legal services in Ivanhoe, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wangaratta, VIC · Hume & North East
Thompson Southern Law Practice provides legal services in Wangaratta, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Tea Tree Gully, SA · Adelaide Metro
Adelta Legal provides legal services in Tea Tree Gully, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Gladesville, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Adrian F Guido & Co provides legal services in Gladesville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Bourke, NSW · Central West & Orana
Allen Duggan Solicitors provides legal services in Bourke, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts and Planning & Environment.
Grenfell, NSW · Central West & Orana
Allen Duggan Solicitors provides legal services in Grenfell, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts and Planning & Environment.
Forbes, NSW · Central West & Orana
Allen Duggan Solicitors provides legal services in Forbes, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts and Planning & Environment.
Bardon, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Alternative Dispute Resolution Services Pty Ltd provides legal services in Bardon, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Norwood, SA · Adelaide Metro
Andrew B Thiele & Co Lawyers & Conveyancers provides legal services in Norwood, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Scoresby, VIC · South East Melbourne
Anthony Raso & Associates provides legal services in Scoresby, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Port Fairy, VIC · Western District & Wimmera
Arthur E George & Sons provides legal services in Port Fairy, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
Astra Law provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Bunbury, WA · South West
Biddulph & Turley provides legal services in Bunbury, WA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Darwin Cbd, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
Bowen Lawyers provides legal services in Darwin Cbd, NT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Mornington, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
Brian T.D. Cash provides legal services in Mornington, VIC. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Property & Conveyancing 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.
