Probate lawyers help executors obtain probate and administer the estate.
firms
970
regions
16
AI-generated editorial image
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.
Why probate & estate administration matters
Executors are personally responsible for administering the estate correctly. Mistakes with debts, tax or distributions can leave them personally liable.
The Australian context
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.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(99)Google rating from 99 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Melbourne Law Offices provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Immigration & Visas.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Immigration & Visas · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Class Actions · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mornington, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(97)Google rating from 97 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Hill Legal provides legal services in Mornington, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Williams Landing, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(97)Google rating from 97 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
KPM Lawyers provides legal services in Williams Landing, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Divorce & Separation · Wills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mornington, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(95)Google rating from 95 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Anchorage Legal provides legal services in Mornington, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(95)Google rating from 95 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
YHC Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(94)Google rating from 94 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Richard Zande & Associates provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bundaberg Central, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(92)Google rating from 92 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Charltons Lawyers provides legal services in Bundaberg Central, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Commercial Property & Leasing · Probate & Estate Administration · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(92)Google rating from 92 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
CK Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Miranda, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(91)Google rating from 91 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Willis & Bowring provides legal services in Miranda, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · NDIS & Disability Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Fairfield, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(90)Google rating from 90 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
David Legal provides legal services in Fairfield, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Criminal Law · Planning & Environment · Immigration & Visas · Probate & Estate Administration5 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: arabic, greek, persian, vietnamese
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(89)Google rating from 89 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Willerby's Solicitors & Conveyancers provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mill Park, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(88)Google rating from 88 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ANTHONYS SOLICITORS provides legal services in Mill Park, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Buying or Selling a Business
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(88)Google rating from 88 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lamrocks Solicitors & Attorneys provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Commercial Property & Leasing · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(88)Google rating from 88 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lamrocks Solicitors & Attorneys provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Commercial Property & Leasing · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(87)Google rating from 87 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Adam & Dean Lawyers provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Criminal Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreCriminal Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Commercial Litigation · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brookvale, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(86)Google rating from 86 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
The Property Practice provides legal services in Brookvale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Toowoomba City, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(86)Google rating from 86 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Wonderley & Hall provides legal services in Toowoomba City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bundall, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(85)Google rating from 85 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Gold Coast Leasing & Mortgage provides legal services in Bundall, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Probate & Estate Administration · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Drug Offences · Public Liability
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Burwood, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(85)Google rating from 85 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Karnib Saddik Law Firm provides legal services in Burwood, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+6 moreCriminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Partner & Family Visas · Skilled & Business Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maribyrnong, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(85)Google rating from 85 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
McManus & Co Lawyers provides legal services in Maribyrnong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Notary Public & JP Services.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Notary Public & JP Services · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
West End, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(84)Google rating from 84 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Direct Lawyers Wills and Estates provides legal services in West End, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
A practical guide to probate & estate administration
What to discuss at the first meeting
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.
How the engagement may progress
01
List family members, property, debts, companies, trusts and superannuation. Identify where original documents are held and which assets are jointly owned.
02
Ask what each document or application would achieve. Confirm which state rules and asset-ownership arrangements need to be considered.
03
Agree on signing, storage and future reviews, or on the executor’s responsibilities for records and distributions. Identify changes that should prompt further advice.
Fees and the scope of work
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.
Dates to raise at first contact
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.
Questions to ask a probate & estate administration adviser
Is an application needed for this estate?
Which tasks can I undertake and which will you handle?
Does the scope address assets outside my own name?
Who is the client if relatives attend together?
What information is needed before documents can be finalised?
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
Frequently asked questions
Is probate always required?
Not always. It depends on the assets and the institutions involved. Many banks require probate above certain amounts, and land usually requires it.
How long does it take?
Obtaining probate often takes a few months. Finishing the administration takes longer, especially if there are claims or property to sell.
How much does a will cost?
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.
Can I contest a will?
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.
