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
Newport, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Bundock Law provides legal services in Newport, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Agribusiness & Rural Law.
Armadale, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Burke & Associates Solicitors provides legal services in Armadale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Binding Financial Agreements.
Eltham, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Burns & Tinney Lawyers provides legal services in Eltham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
NSW · Ipswich
C V Martin Legal Services provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
West Pennant Hills, NSW · Hills District
Calvin Nelson & Co provides legal services in West Pennant Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Canungra, QLD · Gold Coast
Canungra Law provides legal services in Canungra, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Young, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Carmody K P & Co provides legal services in Young, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Terrigal, NSW · Central Coast
Central Coast Property Advisory Services provides legal services in Terrigal, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Family Property Settlement.
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
Certus Law provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Prahran, VIC · South East Melbourne
Challenge Legal provides legal services in Prahran, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Rose Park, SA · Adelaide Metro
Clarke hemmerling Lawyers provides legal services in Rose Park, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
Wheelers Hill, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Cleeland & Stevens provides legal services in Wheelers Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Balwyn North, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
Cole (Natalie) Lawyers provides legal services in Balwyn North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
NSW · Launceston & North
COMPACT COMMERCIAL LAW VIRGINIA WISE provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Carina, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Connor Hunter Law Firm provides legal services in Carina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
NSW · Brisbane CBD
Conveyancing Easi - Townsville provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Probate & Estate Administration, Wills & Estates and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Howard Springs, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
Conveyancing Solutions & Legal provides conveyancing services in Howard Springs, NT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
Conveyancing Solutions & Legal provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Lowood, QLD · Ipswich
David Grant & Associates provides legal services in Lowood, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Dee Why, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
David Marinic & Associates provides legal services in Dee Why, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Upwey, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
DMAC Legal provides legal services in Upwey, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Narre Warren, VIC · South East Melbourne
Domain Conveyancing Lawyers provides legal services in Narre Warren, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Mount Gambier, SA · Limestone Coast
Dunsford Co provides legal services in Mount Gambier, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Traffic Offences.
Bywong, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
East Coast Conveyancing provides legal services in Bywong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
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.
