In Australia, probate is a formal legal procedure wherein the Supreme Court verifies several key aspects regarding a deceased person’s estate:
- Confirmation that the individual has passed away.
- Validation of the deceased person’s will.
- Authorization for the named executor(s) in the will to manage and finalize the estate.
To initiate the probate process, the executor(s) must submit an application to the Supreme Court in the State or Territory where the majority of the deceased’s assets are located. The aim of this application is not only to confirm the legitimacy of the will but also to itemize the assets and liabilities within the estate. This court certification serves as an official endorsement, empowering the executor(s) to proceed with the administration and distribution of the deceased’s estate.
In this article we’ll discuss how much probate costs in Queensland including all the current Supreme Court filing fees in 2025 and whether you might be eligible for reduced fees.
How Much Does Probate Cost in QLD?
Our fixed fee Probate application service costs $825 + mandatory outlays of $981.60. Ask about our deferred payment solutions to help ease the burden at this difficult time. Leave your details below or call us on 07 3073 2405 to get started.
In QLD, when you apply for a Grant of Probate, the application must be filed with the Supreme Court of Queensland. All matters concerning grants of Probate or Letters of Administration and most will disputes are dealt with by the Supreme Court. Family Provision Claims where the value of the estate is less than $750,000 are dealt with by the District Court.
In some circumstances it is not necessary to obtain probate to administer the estate, which will save you the application cost. For information about when probate may not be required, visit our Complete Guide to Probate in Queensland.
The application for Probate to the Supreme Court includes the following:
- a Death Certificate
- the original Will (do not staple it)
- Application for Probate
- Affidavit sworn by the Executor deposing details of the deceased’s circumstances
- an Affidavit by the Executor or his or her lawyer swearing that searches and mandatory pre-filing advertisements have been attended to
To file an application for probate with the Supreme Court, a filing fee is payable. This fee is set by the Supreme Court and remains the same regardless of the value of the estate’s assets and is payable regardless of whether you retain a probate solicitor or not. These fees are reimbursed from the Estate of the deceased once a Grant of Probate has been issued.
Probate Filing Fees as of 1 July 2025 in QLD
The Queensland Supreme Court filing fee for an Application for Probate as of 1 July 2025 is $819.90.
The Registry may reduce the filing fee if you’re experiencing financial hardship or believe paying the fee will cause financial hardship. If you hold a health-care card, your application will be approved if you attach a certified copy of your card.
Are there any other Estate Administration Costs?
Yes, before filing for probate you must advertise your notice of intention to apply for the grant. This advertisement must be placed in the Queensland Law Reporter at a cost of $161.70. In most routine matters it is no longer compulsory to advertise in newspapers, which is a welcome development as it previously cost in excess of $600.
Whether you decide to apply for probate yourself or you seek the help of a solicitor, filing fees will be the same. For this reason it makes sense to hire a Probate Lawyer who specialises in probate matters.
What are the Executor’s Duties regarding Probate?
If probate is uncontested, we will issue a fixed fee costs agreement for obtaining probate and administering the estate to completion. This includes ensuring the Executor complies with his or her primary duties which include:
- Arranging the deceased’s funeral;
- Collecting the deceased’s real and personal estate and administering it in accordance with the law;
- Applying to the Supreme Court of Queensland for a Grant of Probate;
- Making a full inventory of the estate and rendering an account of the administration if required by the Court;
- Distributing the deceased’s estate as soon as practical; and
- Paying interest on any general legacies in the Will (at a rate of 8 per cent per annum) where the estate is not administered within a year in certain circumstances.
In addition to these primary duties, an Executor is expected to perform these ancillary duties:-
- Locating the Will and advising beneficiaries of their entitlements;
- Obtaining valuations of estate assets;
- Preserving the estate including taking out insurance on assets such as a home or vehicle;
- Paying any of the deceased’s debts or liabilities and lodging final tax returns;
- Selling or transferring assets;
- Preparing financial statements including a ledger of trust account transactions;
- Delivering up the Grant of Probate if required by the Court.
The work performed by an Executor is considerable, which is why legislation permits Executor’s to recover monetary commission for their ‘pains and troubles’ administering the estate. Commission may still be claimed when an Executor retains a solicitor to help administer the estate.
If you’re an executor and you need to apply for probate, but you’re not sure where to start, contact our Probate Lawyers for assistance.