Whether you are the executor of a will or a close relative of someone who died without a will we can assist you to administer a deceased estate.
Our experienced deceased estate lawyers can provide the level of service you need to wind up an estate. We can complete all the work required to administer the estate to completion (including helping you obtain executor’s commission) or we can simply help you obtain Probate or Letters of administration if you are happy to complete the estate administration yourself.
Call today for a free immediate consultation with a will solicitor who can help discuss the legal assistance your circumstances may require.
You may require a lawyer to help with these aspects of administering an estate:
- Obtaining a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
- Searching for a missing Will (or collecting it from another solicitor, person or entity)
- Closing bank accounts
- Assisting you to transfer or sell shares
- Briefing accountants to finalise tax affairs and lodge final tax returns
- Transferring property and assisting with the sale of a property if required
- Working with your financial advisors regarding inheritance of any investments
- Identifying and discharging estate liabilities, reimbursing expenses (e.g. funeral and burial fees) and clearing all estate debts
- Distributing estate assets between beneficiaries fairly in accordance with the will and law
- Applying for superannuation death benefits and collecting assets
Probate (with a will)
Probate is the process of proving a person’s Last Will is valid. An Executor may want to obtain it to protect themselves from liability for distributing property without authority.
Probate is not always necessary. Often, it is only needed if the deceased held property which will only be released or transferred to the Executor with a certified grant. These typically include a house, unit or land and bank accounts / term deposits.
Letters of Administration (without a will)
A Grant of Letters of Administration is a document conferring official recognition of the right of an Administrator to control and administer the estate and the vesting of property/ assets in that person. It’s issued by the Supreme Court of Queensland and names the Administrator.
