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
Harrington Park, NSW · Western Sydney
Elias Gates & Associates P/L provides legal services in Harrington Park, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Edgecliff, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
Elisabeth Wicks provides legal services in Edgecliff, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Wanniassa, ACT · Canberra
Erindale Discount Meats provides legal services in Wanniassa, ACT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Goulburn, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
Evans Family Lawyers provides legal services in Goulburn, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Personal Injury and Wills & Estates.
NSW · Townsville & North Queensland
Everything Legal provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Fairfield, NSW · Western Sydney
Fairfield Solicitors Pty Ltd t-as Watson Stafford Zipkis provides legal services in Fairfield, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Camden, NSW · Western Sydney
Family Focus Legal provides legal services in Camden, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Cleveland, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Family Law Resolutions Pty Ltd provides legal services in Cleveland, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
West Perth, WA · Perth CBD
Fort Knox Legal provides legal services in West Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Probate & Estate Administration.
Pontville, TAS · Hobart & South
Galilee Solicitors provides legal services in Pontville, TAS. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Probate & Estate Administration.
Bunbury, WA · South West
Garvey Chris Lawyer provides legal services in Bunbury, WA. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Mornington, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
Grace Jill G provides legal services in Mornington, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Contested Wills & Family Provision and Probate & Estate Administration.
Lambton, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Hanlon Mark provides legal services in Lambton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Criminal Law.
Cobram, VIC · Hume & North East
Hargraves provides legal services in Cobram, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Argenton, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
Harvey Law Firm provides legal services in Argenton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
Hayes & Associates provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Divorce & Separation.
Graceville, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Hogan Stanton Lawyers provides legal services in Graceville, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Whyalla, SA · Eyre, Yorke & Mid North
Hume Taylor & Co provides legal services in Whyalla, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Hamilton, VIC · Western District & Wimmera
HUNTER NEWNS & HOLT provides legal services in Hamilton, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
North Sydney, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Iconveyancing.com.au provides legal services in North Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Belair, SA · Adelaide Metro
Jackson & Associates provides legal services in Belair, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Probate & Estate Administration.
Albury, NSW · Riverina & Murray
James G Sloan provides legal services in Albury, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Montmorency, VIC · Northern Melbourne
JDF Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Montmorency, VIC. Listed practice areas include Probate & Estate Administration, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Camberwell, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
JH Legal provides legal services in Camberwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
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.
