Best Wills & Estates Lawyers in Australia
Updated 22 September 2026
Compare wills & estates lawyers across Australian cities: these lawyers draft wills, plan estates and apply for probate under each state's succession laws, such as the Succession Act 2006 (NSW) and the Wills Act 1997 (Vic). Most matters start with one of two tasks: making or updating a will, or acting for an executor after a death.
If someone has died, the executor's first step is to find the original will and a death certificate. In NSW, the executor should then apply to the Supreme Court for probate within 6 months of the death, after publishing a notice of intended application and waiting 14 days. If you are planning ahead, bring a list of your assets, debts, superannuation funds and any existing will to the first appointment.
Editor's picks
Chosen by our editors from verified facts and always labelled. Shown separately from the data-ranked list. How we rank law firms
Wollerman Shacklock
Wollerman Shacklock is a law firm in Clyde North, Victoria, serving the City of Casey region since 1994.
- Office at Unit 2, 43 Rainier Crescent, Clyde North VIC 3978.
- Established in 1994.
- Its principal solicitor is a Law Institute of Victoria accredited property law specialist.
Clyde North VIC
View firm profile
AM Legal
AM Legal is a South Australian law firm in Aldinga, practising since 2007, with family law, estate planning and commercial services and a notary public service.
- Office at 29 Old Coach Road, Aldinga SA 5173.
- Practising since 2007.
- Offers notarial services for documents to be used in Australia and overseas.
Aldinga SA
View firm profileTop-rated wills & estates lawyers by city
Brisbane
Full ranking →- 1
G.O.A.T Legal★★★★★ 5.0 (155) - 2Will and Estate Lawyers Australia★★★★★ 5.0 (124)
- 3Solomons Legal★★★★★ 5.0 (122)
Adelaide
Full ranking →- 1
Corsers Lawyers, Property, Conveyancer, Wills Estates & Immigration specialists★★★★★ 5.0 (215) - 2
WOODS & CO LAWYERS PTY LTD★★★★★ 5.0 (169) - 3
Genders and Partners★★★★★ 5.0 (155)
Sydney
Full ranking →- 1
National Probate and Estates Group★★★★★ 5.0 (374) - 2
Mistry Fallahi★★★★★ 5.0 (286) - 3
PB Ritz Lawyers - Experts in Will Disputes, Probate & Estate Planning★★★★★ 5.0 (142)
Perth
Full ranking →- 1
Lewis Kitson Lawyers★★★★★ 5.0 (70) - 2
Paragon Legal Solutions★★★★★ 4.9 (123) - 3
Tactical Legal Solutions★★★★★ 5.0 (58)
What does a wills and estates lawyer do?
A wills and estates lawyer prepares the documents that decide who receives your property, and acts for executors who administer an estate. Typical tasks are:
- Draft wills, including mirror wills for couples and wills with testamentary trusts.
- Plan estates so that jointly held assets, superannuation and trusts pass as intended.
- Prepare enduring powers of attorney and appointments of guardians or medical decision makers.
- Supervise signing and witnessing so the will meets the formal rules.
- Apply for probate or letters of administration in the Supreme Court.
- Advise executors on collecting assets, paying debts and tax, and distributing the estate.
- Respond to claims against an estate, or refer them to a dispute specialist.
Estate planning lawyer
An estate planning lawyer looks beyond the will itself. The work covers assets that do not pass under a will, such as jointly owned property, superannuation death benefits and assets held in a family trust. It also covers enduring powers of attorney. See Power of Attorney vs Enduring Power of Attorney for how these documents differ by state.
Probate lawyer
A probate lawyer acts for the executor after a death. The lawyer prepares the probate application and the inventory of assets and liabilities, answers the court's requisitions and then administers the estate. What Is Probate and How Do You Apply? sets out the process, timeframes and court fees in each state.
Will lawyer
A will lawyer takes instructions, drafts the will and supervises its signing. The fee is usually fixed for a standard will.
What does a will do?
A will names who receives your property after death, appoints an executor to administer the estate and can nominate a guardian for children under 18. It can also set up trusts for beneficiaries. A will does not control assets that pass outside the estate, such as property owned as joint tenants, which passes to the surviving owner. Superannuation and life insurance proceeds generally sit outside the estate as well, depending on the fund's or policy's terms.
When do you need a wills and estates lawyer?
A lawyer is most useful when a do-it-yourself will is likely to fail or be challenged. Common triggers are:
- a blended family, or children from more than one relationship;
- a business, family trust or self-managed super fund;
- assets or beneficiaries overseas;
- a beneficiary with a disability or who receives government benefits;
- doubts about the will-maker's capacity;
- a person likely to be left out who may bring a family provision claim;
- an estate with real estate held solely in the deceased's name, which needs a grant of probate before it can be dealt with;
- a death without a valid will, where someone must apply for letters of administration.
If a dispute has already started, compare will dispute lawyers in Australia instead.
How much does a wills and estates lawyer cost?
A simple will prepared by a private lawyer usually costs between $300 and $1,000, although fees vary with the firm, the city and the complexity of your instructions. The ranges below are indicative only.
| Service | Typical fee model | Indicative range (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Simple will, one person | Fixed fee | $300–$1,000 |
| Mirror wills for a couple | Fixed fee | $500–$1,500 |
| Estate plan with testamentary trusts, enduring power of attorney and guardianship documents | Fixed fee or quote | $1,500–$5,000+ |
| Probate application, simple estate | Fixed fee or hourly | $2,000–$6,000, plus the court filing fee |
| Estate administration after the grant | Hourly or quote | Varies with the size of the estate |
Court filing fees are separate from legal fees. As at September 2026, the Supreme Court of NSW charges no probate filing fee for estates under $100,000 and $960 for estates from $100,000 to under $250,000. As a benchmark, NSW Trustee and Guardian prepares a standard will for $462. How Much Does a Will Cost in Australia? compares lawyers, Public Trustees and will kits.
How to choose a wills and estates lawyer
Check these points before you sign a costs agreement:
- Practising certificate. Search the law society register in your state to confirm the lawyer holds a current practising certificate.
- Accredited specialist. Some law societies accredit specialists in wills and estates or succession law. See What Is an Accredited Specialist Lawyer? for what accreditation involves.
- Written costs disclosure. In NSW, Victoria and Western Australia, the Legal Profession Uniform Law requires lawyers to disclose their costs in writing. Ask whether the will fee is fixed and what probate work will cost.
- Probate experience in your state. Probate is granted by the Supreme Court of the state where the assets are, and each registry has its own forms and notice rules.
- Storage of the original will. Ask where the original will be kept and how your executor will find it.
Our ranking criteria are explained in how we rank law firms. For general selection checks, see How to Choose a Lawyer in Australia.
Wills & Estates Lawyers by location
Wills and estates guides
- What Is Probate and How Do You Apply?: steps, timeframes and filing fees in each state.
- Power of Attorney vs Enduring Power of Attorney: the Act and witnessing rules in each state.
- Contesting a Will in Australia: who can claim, time limits and costs.
You can also compare wills & estates lawyers in Sydney, wills & estates lawyers in Brisbane, wills & estates lawyers in Perth and wills & estates lawyers in Adelaide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer to make a will in Australia?
No. A will is valid if it meets your state's formal rules, which include being in writing, signed and witnessed by two adults. A lawyer is most useful where your family, assets or wishes are complex.
How long do I have to apply for probate in NSW?
The executor should apply within 6 months of the death. If the application is filed later, the Supreme Court of NSW requires an explanation for the delay.
Can a Public Trustee write my will instead of a private lawyer?
Yes. Each state has a Public Trustee or equivalent that prepares wills. NSW Trustee and Guardian charges $462 for a standard will as at September 2026, and prepares wills at no charge for people eligible for a full Centrelink Age Pension.
Is a wills and estates lawyer the same as a will dispute lawyer?
Not always. Some wills and estates lawyers draft wills and handle probate but refer contested claims to lawyers who run family provision and probate litigation in the Supreme Court.