Probate lawyers help executors obtain probate and administer the estate.
firms
970
regions
16
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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
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(82)Google rating from 82 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Curae Law provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Turner, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(80)Google rating from 80 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Tetlow Legal provides legal services in Turner, ACT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(79)Google rating from 79 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Hillcrest Family Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sunshine, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(79)Google rating from 79 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kennedy Guy Lawyers Sunshine provides legal services in Sunshine, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Commercial Litigation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Building & Construction
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Highett, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(78)Google rating from 78 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
De Kretser Law provides legal services in Highett, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Criminal Law · Drug Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(76)Google rating from 76 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Joseph Grassi + Associates provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Kogarah, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(76)Google rating from 76 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lawpoint provides legal services in Kogarah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Commercial Litigation · Family Law · Debt Recovery · Probate & Estate Administration
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Clyde North, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(75)Google rating from 75 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Spirit Legal provides legal services in Clyde North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Taree, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(74)Google rating from 74 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Alan McNeill Solicitors provides legal services in Taree, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mount Martha, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(74)Google rating from 74 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Olivetree Legal provides legal services in Mount Martha, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Tarneit, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(73)Google rating from 73 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Scott Legal provides legal services in Tarneit, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Partner & Family Visas · Planning & Environment
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Surfers Paradise, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(72)Google rating from 72 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Croy Legal provides legal services in Surfers Paradise, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
East Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(71)Google rating from 71 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Clairs Keeley Lawyers provides legal services in East Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consult
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Pakenham, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(71)Google rating from 71 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mepstead Lawyers provides legal services in Pakenham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Kincumber, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(69)Google rating from 69 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Patrick McHugh & Co. Solicitors provides legal services in Kincumber, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Elder Law & Aged Care and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreElder Law & Aged Care · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Retirement Villages & Aged Care Contracts · Commercial Property & Leasing · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(68)Google rating from 68 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Heritage Conveyancing provides conveyancing services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Pialba, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(67)Google rating from 67 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Your Lawyers Turner Riddell Hervey Bay - Family law & Wills and estates provides legal services in Pialba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bendigo, VIC · Bendigo & Loddon
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(65)Google rating from 65 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
HQ Law provides legal services in Bendigo, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Child Protection & Care Matters · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment
Understand the next step
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.
