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
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
Wills Direct provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
Strathpine, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
Bradshaw Lawyers provides legal services in Strathpine, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Planning & Environment.
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
Denise Dwyer Lawyers provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Family Law.
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
Jessie Icao Solicitors provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
Montgomery Legal Practice Family Lawyer Liverpool provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Varsity Lakes, QLD · Gold Coast
Prestige Law Group provides legal services in Varsity Lakes, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Penrith, NSW · Western Sydney
Rafton Family Lawyers provides legal services in Penrith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Daisy Hill, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Ryder Lawyers provides legal services in Daisy Hill, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Canberra City, ACT · Canberra
Clifford Lois provides legal services in Canberra City, ACT. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
Rockliffs Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Bundall, QLD · Gold Coast
Avuri Lawyers provides legal services in Bundall, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Slacks Creek, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
Enlight Lawyers provides legal services in Slacks Creek, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Immigration & Visas and Wills & Estates.
Port Macquarie, NSW · Mid North Coast
Rayners Lawyers provides legal services in Port Macquarie, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Business & Commercial Law.
South Perth, WA · Perth South
Vibe Legal provides legal services in South Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Asquith, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Castle Lawyers provides legal services in Asquith, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
R S Stack & Co provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Bondi Junction, NSW · Eastern Suburbs & Inner West
R S Stack & Co provides legal services in Bondi Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Notary Public & JP Services, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Victorian Land Transfers (Bendigo & Castlemaine) provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Mount Gravatt, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
ARSHAD LAWYERS provides legal services in Mount Gravatt, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Dallas, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Mohan Yildiz & Associates provides legal services in Dallas, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Commercial Litigation.
Essendon North, VIC · Northern Melbourne
Pera Lawyers provides legal services in Essendon North, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
Robertson Hayles Lawyers provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Probate & Estate Administration.
Darwin Cbd, NT · Darwin & Palmerston
Halfpennys provides legal services in Darwin Cbd, NT. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Medical Negligence.
Hurstville, NSW · Southern Sydney
Macdessi Lawyers provides legal services in Hurstville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Commercial Litigation.
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.
