★★★★★★★★★★4.8(87)Google rating from 87 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Ellis Lake Lawyers provides legal services in Charlestown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Commercial Property & Leasing · Family Law · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(77)Google rating from 77 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Halyburton Legal provides legal services in Warners Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(61)Google rating from 61 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Impero Conveyancing provides legal services in Cardiff, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Family Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Criminal Law · Retirement Villages & Aged Care Contracts · Divorce & Separation
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Denman Legal provides legal services in Muswellbrook, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Buying or Selling a Business · Debt Recovery · Planning & Environment · Divorce & Separation
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Whitelaw McDonald Personal Injury Lawyers - Newcastle provides legal services in Kotara, NSW. Listed practice areas include Workers Compensation, Wills & Estates and Personal Injury.
Workers Compensation+7 moreWills & Estates · Personal Injury · Property & Conveyancing · De Facto Relationships · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Public Liability · TPD & Superannuation ClaimsNo win, no fee
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(28)Google rating from 28 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Lyn Johnston Conveyancing provides legal services in Maryville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Family Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Building & Construction
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(22)Google rating from 22 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Turner Freeman Lawyers provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Personal Injury+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · TPD & Superannuation Claims · Employment Law · Class Actions · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTPNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(20)Google rating from 20 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Carroll & O'Dea provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Unfair Dismissal.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Unfair Dismissal · Professional Negligence · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Planning & Environment · Employment Law
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(19)Google rating from 19 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Shotters Lawyers provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Mullane Lindsay Lawyers provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreWills & Estates · Property & Conveyancing · Family Law · Contested Wills & Family Provision · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Professional Negligence
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Osborn Law provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Emery Partners provides legal services in Cessnock, NSW. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Partner & Family Visas · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Employment Law · Personal Injury · Business & Commercial Law
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(11)Google rating from 11 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Arnold Lawyers provides legal services in Maitland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Powers of Attorney & Guardianship and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+3 morePowers of Attorney & Guardianship · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law4 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: italian, german, french
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Bestic Law provides legal services in Singleton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Notary Public & JP Services.
★★★★★★★★★★2.3(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in East Maitland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Drink & Drug Driving+7 moreWills & Estates · Immigration & Visas · Family Law · Criminal Law · Traffic Offences · Employment Law · Partner & Family Visas
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(3)Google rating from 3 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Helen Volk Lawyers provides legal services in Thornton, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Commercial Litigation.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Commercial Litigation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Criminal Law · Employment Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
FLANAGAN LEGAL NEWCASTLE provides legal services in The Junction, NSW. Listed practice areas include Powers of Attorney & Guardianship, Wills & Estates and Elder Law & Aged Care.
Powers of Attorney & Guardianship+7 moreWills & Estates · Elder Law & Aged Care · Partner & Family Visas · Residential Tenancy · Retirement Villages & Aged Care Contracts · Planning & Environment · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Rankin Ellison Lawyers provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Wills & Estates and Workers Compensation.
Partner & Family Visas+7 moreWills & Estates · Workers Compensation · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Taylor & Scott Lawyers provides legal services in Newcastle West, NSW. Listed practice areas include Workers Compensation, Personal Injury and Immigration & Visas.
Workers Compensation+7 morePersonal Injury · Immigration & Visas · Wills & Estates · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Dust Diseases & Asbestos · Property & Conveyancing · Health & Medical Practitioner LawNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Kekeff & Associates Solicitors provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Coutts Conveyancing & Legal Services provides legal services in Cessnock, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Employment Law · Unfair DismissalNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Ellis Lake Lawyers provides legal services in Edgeworth, NSW. Listed practice areas include Workers Compensation, Wills & Estates and Personal Injury.
Workers Compensation+7 moreWills & Estates · Personal Injury · Property & Conveyancing · De Facto Relationships · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Public LiabilityNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.3 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: italian, japanese
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Jesmond, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Drink & Drug Driving+7 moreWills & Estates · Immigration & Visas · Family Law · Criminal Law · Traffic Offences · Employment Law · Partner & Family Visas
Go To Court Lawyers Woolloongabba provides legal services in Cessnock, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Wills & Estates and Immigration & Visas.
Drink & Drug Driving+7 moreWills & Estates · Immigration & Visas · Family Law · Criminal Law · Traffic Offences · Employment Law · Partner & Family Visas
A properly drafted will is the simplest way to decide who receives your assets and who looks after your children. Estate lawyers also prepare enduring powers of attorney and guardianship appointments, so someone you trust can act for you if you lose capacity. After a death, they help executors apply for probate, collect assets, pay debts and distribute the estate. When a family member believes they were left without adequate provision, estate litigators act on either side of the claim. Each state has its own succession laws and time limits.
Why wills & estates matters
Most Australians don't have an up-to-date will, and disputes over estates are rising as property values climb.
The Australian context
Succession law is state-based, so the rules on wills, probate and family provision claims differ by state, while superannuation follows federal rules.
Understand the next step
A practical guide to wills & estates in Newcastle & Hunter
Choosing the right kind of assistance
Planning your affairs, administering an estate and challenging an inheritance are different engagements. Explain your role: will-maker, executor, beneficiary, attorney or concerned relative. Ownership and family relationships help the lawyer identify the necessary work and any conflicts between the people involved.
Working with a firm in Newcastle & Hunter
Newcastle and the wider Hunter cover city, suburban and regional settings. If your issue involves a business, workplace or rural property, describe the activity and ownership structure rather than simply asking for a general lawyer.
For wills & estates, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant NSW experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Newcastle & Hunter. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
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 wills & estates adviser
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
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.
What does an executor do?
An executor locates the will, applies for probate if needed, gathers the assets, pays debts and taxes, and distributes what is left according to the will. Lawyers can do most of this work for them.
