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
Blacktown, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(63)Google rating from 63 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Bainbridge Legal provides legal services in Blacktown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Toowoomba City, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(63)Google rating from 63 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
ReesLaw Pty Ltd provides legal services in Toowoomba City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mitcham, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(61)Google rating from 61 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Novum Law Group provides legal services in Mitcham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Health & Medical Practitioner Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(61)Google rating from 61 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
TB Law - Ticli Blaxland Lawyers & Conveyancing provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+8 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Elder Law & Aged Care · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Notary Public & JP Services
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Blackwood, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(60)Google rating from 60 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Douglas Hoskins Legal provides legal services in Blackwood, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+6 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Administrative & Government Law · Binding Financial Agreements
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(60)Google rating from 60 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Rose Jensen Kent Lawyers provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+4 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Personal Injury
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hahndorf, SA · Barossa & Adelaide Hills
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(60)Google rating from 60 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Your Estate Lawyer provides legal services in Hahndorf, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Wills & Estates+7 morePlanning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Property & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Corporate Law & M&A
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(58)Google rating from 58 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
KM Legal provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+6 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Planning & Environment · Elder Law & Aged Care · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Phillip, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(58)Google rating from 58 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Signus Legal provides legal services in Phillip, ACT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Commercial Property & Leasing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Commercial Property & Leasing · Partner & Family Visas · Wills & Estates · Building & Construction · Planning & Environment · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ballarat Central, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(56)Google rating from 56 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Baird & McGregor provides legal services in Ballarat Central, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Miranda, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(56)Google rating from 56 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
MTK Lawyers provides legal services in Miranda, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Probate & Estate Administration and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreProbate & Estate Administration · Wills & Estates · Franchising · Building & Construction · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Commercial Litigation
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mandurah, WA · Perth South
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(55)Google rating from 55 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Falcon Settlements Pty Ltd provides legal services in Mandurah, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bundoora, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(55)Google rating from 55 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
First Avenue Legal Pty Ltd provides legal services in Bundoora, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(55)Google rating from 55 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Gamble Law & Estate Planning provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Planning & Environment.
Wills & Estates+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Commercial Property & Leasing · Family Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Phillip, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(54)Google rating from 54 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Boland legal family lawyers provides legal services in Phillip, ACT. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Powers of Attorney & Guardianship.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
West Pennant Hills, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(54)Google rating from 54 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Sydney Property Conveyancing Lawyers provides legal services in West Pennant Hills, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Tuggerah, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(52)Google rating from 52 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Avid Law provides legal services in Tuggerah, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Richmond, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(52)Google rating from 52 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
JDL Personal Injury Lawyers Adelaide provides legal services in Richmond, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Medical Negligence.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Medical Negligence · Personal Injury · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate Administration · Workers Compensation · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maroubra, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(51)Google rating from 51 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Benchmark Lawyers provides legal services in Maroubra, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Strata & Body Corporate · Planning & Environment · Citizenship
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Barry J R Wilson & David B Wilson provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. 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.
