Wills and Estates Lawyers in Australia

Understand this area of law

Wills and estates work can include planning, updating documents, powers of attorney, probate, administration or a dispute after a death. Describe the task or uncertainty rather than assuming a particular document is the answer. The applicable rules and terminology may vary between states and territories.

Define the work before comparing firms

Ask whether the firm handles planning, administration, contested estates or the combination relevant to the enquiry. Confirm whose instructions the firm would take, especially where a relative is helping or several people are involved. This website cannot assess capacity, authority, validity, entitlement or whether a deadline applies.

Prepare a safer, more useful first enquiry

For planning work, make a private list of existing documents, decision-makers and major changes since the last review. For administration or a dispute, note the date of death, documents located and any correspondence or court material. Ask what the office needs first, how original documents are handled and what a completed first stage would produce.

Work that may sit within this category

Use these examples to describe the enquiry, not to diagnose the legal issue or assume that every law firm performs the work.

• Preparing or reviewing a will and related arrangements
• Powers of attorney, guardianship or future-decision documents
• Probate and administration after a death
• Questions about a contested estate or disputed entitlement

Information to organise before making contact

• Existing wills, powers or appointment documents
• A private list of relevant people, assets and major changes
• For an estate, the death certificate and correspondence already received

A dispute, grant application or notice may involve a deadline that differs by jurisdiction. Ask a qualified practitioner to check the relevant dates.