Been named executor? We’ll guide you through it.
Losing someone is hard enough without a legal process to manage. We take care of probate and the administration of the estate step by step, explain what is happening in plain English, and handle as much or as little of it as you need.
As much or as little help as you need
Every estate is different, and so is every executor. Some people want to handle parts of the administration themselves with advice along the way. Others would rather step back and have it managed for them. Many find it difficult to contact banks, close accounts or deal with paperwork connected to someone they have lost, and are relieved to hand those tasks over.
We work at your pace and adapt our role to suit you, from guidance at key stages through to full administration of the estate.
What we do
- Explain your duties and personal liability as executor
- Prepare and file the application for probate (or letters of administration if there is no will)
- Identify, value and collect the estate assets
- Deal with banks, super funds, share registries and government agencies
- Pay debts, final tax matters and expenses
- Transfer or sell property, including the conveyancing
- Protect you against late claims before distribution
- Prepare estate accounts and distribute to beneficiaries
How long does it take?
| Stage | Typical timing in NSW |
|---|---|
| Online notice of the probate application | At least 14 days before filing |
| Grant of probate | Often less than three weeks from filing, if the Registry has no questions |
| Earliest safe distribution | Generally not before 6 months after the date of death |
| Time limit for family provision claims | 12 months from the date of death |
| A simple estate, start to finish | About 7 to 12 months |
Sources: Supreme Court of NSW; Chief Justice’s statement on probate processing, November 2025; NSW Trustee and Guardian. Every estate is different and some take longer.
What does probate cost?
There are three parts to the cost of a typical estate:
1. The Supreme Court filing fee
| Gross value of the estate | Court fee |
|---|---|
| Under $100,000 | Nil |
| $100,000 to under $250,000 | $960 |
| $250,000 to under $500,000 | $1,303 |
| $500,000 to under $1 million | $1,999 |
| $1 million to under $2 million | $2,663 |
| $2 million to under $5 million | $4,439 |
| $5 million or more | $7,399 |
Source: Supreme Court of NSW fee schedule, 1 July 2026. The online probate notice costs a further $59.
2. Legal costs for obtaining the grant
In New South Wales, the legal costs a solicitor can charge for obtaining a grant of probate are fixed by regulation and based on the value of the estate. Solicitors cannot charge more than the scale. We will tell you the exact figure for your estate in our written costs disclosure.
3. Administering the estate after the grant
The work after probate is granted (collecting assets, paying debts, selling or transferring property, accounts and distribution) depends on the estate. After our first meeting we give you a fixed fee quote in writing for the work you want us to do, and we tell you before doing anything outside it.
We can wait to be paid until estate funds are released, so you are not out of pocket while the estate is being finalised.
Read the full guide to probate costs
Do you even need probate?
Not always. If all the assets were held jointly, they pass to the surviving owner without a grant. Superannuation and life insurance generally do not form part of the estate, and some banks will release smaller amounts without probate. We can tell you quickly whether a grant is needed, which can save the estate time and money.
Not only her knowledge but her kindness and support for my parents going through a very difficult sale and move to a retirement village was not unnoticed. We hit so many stressful hurdles but Tara explained everything and really went above and beyond.
You don’t have to work it out alone
Start with a free initial phone call and leave with a clear plan for the estate.