We simplify the complex burden of estate administration by assisting you with the legalities. When you engage our firm, we manage the entire legal process, from securing a Grant of Probate to distributing assets to beneficiaries. Our solicitors handle all correspondence with financial institutions and other creditors. We protect executors from personal liability by managing risks and resolving potential disputes early.
Estate Administration
Administering the Estate of a Deceased
Estate administration is the legal process of managing and distributing a deceased person’s assets after they pass away. This process involves locating the Will and obtaining a Grant of Probate, assessing the assets of the estate, and conducting formal distribution to the rightful beneficiaries in strict accordance with the Will and the law.
Typical visit
25–40 min new
15–20 min follow-up
Estate Administration
What you get
A fixed-fee service, at an affordable price. Efficient Estate Administration that minimises costs, and leaves more money in the beneficiaries pockets. adminis
Grant of Probate
We apply for and obtain the Grant of Probate for an estate. Importantly, we save money by not obtaining Probate, if it is not required.
Transparent Accounting
Use our trust account to separate estate finances from your own personal account, to ensure accurate accounting of the estate funds.
Property Conveyancing
We deal with the titles office to transfer any real estate into the estate. We also provide conveyancing services if a property needs to be sold.
Beneficiary Releases
Deeds of Release and Indemnity are prepared for every beneficiary to execute, confirming that they accept the final financial accounts and approve the administration.
What's included
Selling of Assets
We take the administrative burden off your hands by having experience dealing with all asset types, such as cash, property, shares, and superannuation. An estate needs to correctly value all components of the estate, and be able to convert them into cash, if required, to enable effective distribution of the estate to the nominated beneficiaries.
Grant of Probate
With substantial experience, we navigate the rigid Supreme Court application process to secure the legal authority required to manage the estate, being a Grant of Probate. In some instances, such as in low-value estates, a Grant of Probate may not be required. In these occasions, we are able to conduct estate adminsitration without obtaining Probate, which can save the estate thousands of dollars, and leave more money in the beneficiaries' pockets.
Transparent Accounting
By engaging our firm, you can utilise our trust account to handle all estate finances. By separating estate finances from your own personal account, we are able to more accurately account to the beneficiaries for every dollar in the estate. We handle the final, critical step of distributing the estate with absolute transparency to ensure there is no confusion or dispute regarding the funds.
Creditor Management
We protect the estate from future claims by ensuring all financial obligations are legally satisfied before any funds leave the estate. This is done by advertising for creditors to ensure all potential debts are brought to light within a reasonably timeframe, and paying off outstanding legitimate debts and expenses directly from the estate funds. We also formally resolve any disputed claims made against the estate, out of court.
Property Title and Conveyancing
When an estate includes real estate, the property title must be legally updated before it can be sold or transferred to a beneficiary. We handle the specialized property documentation and other requirements involved to deal with the titles office. We also specialise in affordably priced conveyancing, and can provide continuity of service if a property needs to be sold on market.
Formal Beneficiary Releases
The absolute final step of any estate matter is ensuring the executor can sleep soundly, knowing they have fully finalsied their duties, and no further complaints or questions can be raised by beneficiaries. We prepare comprehensive Deeds of Release and Indemnity for every beneficiary to execute, thereby securing the confirmation that all beneficiaries accept the final financial accounts and waive their right to further question or challenge the administration.
What is the process?
1
Death Certificate
No meaningful steps can be started until the official Death Certificate has been issued by QLD Births, Deaths, and Marriages.
2
Appointment
We conduct an initial appointment with all executors, to obtain personal information, and to get some initial documents signed and open a file.
3
Advertise the death
The person's death is advertised in accorance with the law, ensuring that any people or companies the deceased owed money to have a chance to come forward.
4
Probate
The Grant of Probate (if needed) is applied for, and obtained from the Supreme Court.
5
Asset Administration
All assets and financial accounts are individually dealt with and either released, transferred, or sold and converted into cash.
6
Finalise Estate
All estate expenses and other liabilities are accounted for and paid out of our Trust Account.
7
Final Distribution
The remaining estate funds are available to distribute, and are paid out to each beneficiary according to the terms of the will.
Information and Documents that will be needed
- Original Last Will of the deceased
- Official Death Certificate of the deceased
- 100 Points of ID including at least one Photo ID for all executors
- Documents relating to the assets of the deceased
Fees and Pricing
- Our Fixed Fee quote is calculated according to different assets that we will have to deal with, and different circumstances of the will and the estate. Please see our pricing page to download a schedule of fees, or contact our office to have a customised, fixed fee quote provided.
- Estate Administration is complex and each estate will have different assets and circumstances. We are still able to provide a fixed fee quote, however we will need information on the specifics of the estate in order to be able to calculate an accurate quote.
- If a fixed fee quote is provided, it is done so on the basis of the correctness of information supplied to us. If the information provided is incorrect or inaccurate, then our fees will differ accordingly from the quote provided.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this service.