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
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Nurture Law provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
YLP Legal provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Partner & Family Visas+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Property & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks
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Park Holme, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Tim Clarke & Co Lawyers PTY LTD provides legal services in Park Holme, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(49)Google rating from 49 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Varga Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Yarrabilba, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
ACS Legal Solutions provides legal services in Yarrabilba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Contested Wills & Family Provision
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Mornington, VIC · Mornington Peninsula
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
JMC Lawyers provides legal services in Mornington, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Building & Construction · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
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Joondalup, WA · Perth North
★★★★★★★★★★3.5(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Oswald Legal provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+4 moreCriminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
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Mclaren Vale, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Peter Fisher Lawyers provides legal services in Mclaren Vale, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Smith Family Law Sunshine provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Toukley, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
GMS Conveyancing provides legal services in Toukley, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Randwick, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Joseph Lawyers provides legal services in Randwick, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Property & Conveyancing and Probate & Estate Administration.
Wills & Estates+3 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Probate & Estate Administration · Planning & EnvironmentFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ryans Solicitors & Attorneys provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Notary Public & JP Services and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreNotary Public & JP Services · Wills & Estates · Traffic Offences · Business & Commercial Law · Aviation Law · Commercial Litigation · Probate & Estate Administration
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East Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(45)Google rating from 45 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Amicus Lawyers provides legal services in East Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Notary Public & JP Services+3 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law
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Glenroy, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(45)Google rating from 45 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Buller McLeod Solicitors provides legal services in Glenroy, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Box Hill, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(45)Google rating from 45 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
FRANCIS LIM Barristers & Solicitors provides legal services in Box Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property & Conveyancing and Business & Commercial Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Commercial Litigation · Family Law · Probate & Estate Administration · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks4 languages
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Newcastle, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(44)Google rating from 44 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cooper Williams Lawyers provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wayville, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(44)Google rating from 44 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
SA Estate and Succession Lawyers provides legal services in Wayville, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts 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.
