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
NSW · Western Sydney
JKA Conveyancing provides conveyancing services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Partner & Family Visas and Strata & Body Corporate.
Booragoon, WA · Perth South
John Ashoorian Lawyer provides legal services in Booragoon, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Personal Injury and Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP.
Albury, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Kell Moore Lawyers & Conveyancers Wangaratta provides legal services in Albury, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Bowral, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
Kennedy & Cooke Lawyers, Narooma provides legal services in Bowral, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Point Cook, VIC · Western Melbourne
Lampe Family Lawyers provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Lampe Family Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Craigieburn, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Lampe Family Lawyers provides legal services in Craigieburn, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Earlwood, NSW · Southern Sydney
Lane O Rourke provides legal services in Earlwood, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
Lawley Legal provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Murwillumbah, NSW · Northern Rivers
Lawsearch Australia Pty Ltd provides legal services in Murwillumbah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
Le Souef Peter provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
Le Souef Peter provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Orange, NSW · Central West & Orana
Lee Dalton & Associates provides legal services in Orange, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Plumpton, NSW · Western Sydney
Legal Conveyancing Co provides legal services in Plumpton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Corrimal, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Lough & Wells Lawyers provides legal services in Corrimal, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Huskisson, NSW · South Coast
Lough & Wells Lawyers provides legal services in Huskisson, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Dingley Village, VIC · South East Melbourne
Lyttletons Lawyers provides legal services in Dingley Village, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Jindabyne, NSW · Snowy Monaro
Macdonald Bruce Lawyers provides legal services in Jindabyne, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Personal Injury.
Jamisontown, NSW · Western Sydney
Macdonald Bruce Lawyers provides legal services in Jamisontown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Gosford, NSW · Central Coast
Macdonald Bruce Lawyers provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
Mark Brown & Associates provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Lake Cargelligo, NSW · Riverina & Murray
Matthews Williams provides legal services in Lake Cargelligo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Condobolin, NSW · Central West & Orana
Matthews Williams provides legal services in Condobolin, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Capalaba, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
McCormick Family Law provides legal services in Capalaba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody 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.
