Administer a deceased estate
We simplify estate administration so you can focus on honouring your loved one's wishes.
Administering a deceased estate is rarely as simple as reading the will and dividing up the assets. There are debts to identify and settle, creditors to notify, tax obligations to meet, a final estate accounting to produce, and in most cases a probate or letters of administration application to complete before you can formally touch anything. The order in which you do things matters. The decisions you make as executor are legally binding. And errors – distributing assets before all debts are paid, failing to follow the will’s terms, or missing a tax obligation – can expose you to personal liability that does not disappear when the estate is eventually closed.
What does administering a deceased estate involve?
What is the difference between an executor and an administrator?
Do I need to obtain probate before administering the estate?
In most cases, probate or letters of administration are required before you can formally deal with estate assets. Some assets such as those held as joint tenants, pass outside the estate and do not require probate.
How long does estate administration take?
Can an executor be held personally liable for mistakes during administration?
Yes. An executor who makes errors such as distributing assets before paying all creditors, or failing to comply with the terms of the will, can be held personally liable. Taking proper legal advice throughout the administration process protects you from this risk.
You fulfil your obligations as executor correctly, without missing steps that create personal liability exposure.
The ATO's requirements are handled properly before final distribution.
Beneficiaries receive what they're entitled to, on a clear timeline.
Overwhelmed by estate administration tasks?
Your estate administration burden carried properly
- We will review the will and advise on the administration process required.
- We will assist you to identify, collect, and manage estate assets.
- We will advise on payment of debts and obligations of the estate.
- We will supervise the final distribution to beneficiaries and close the estate.
Is this your situation?
You have been appointed executor or administrator of an estate without a will – and the reality of what that means is settling in on you. There are accounts to track down, property to manage, a superannuation benefit that apparently goes through a separate process entirely, and beneficiaries who are already asking when they will receive their share. You have been told you need probate but you are not certain what that involves or how long it takes.
You are fielding questions from family members with different views about how things should be handled, and you are doing all of it while managing your own grief. You did not sign up to become an expert in estate law. You were trusted by the deceased to handle this – and you want to do it correctly, without making a mistake that comes back on you personally.
What's included in your estate administration service
- Will review and administration planning.
- Asset identification and collection assistance.
- Creditor and debt management advice.
- Beneficiary distribution and estate closure.
The real scope of estate administration
Executors who manage estate administration without legal guidance frequently discover the problems after the fact – when a creditor surfaces after assets have been distributed, when a beneficiary challenges the accounting, or when the tax office raises a liability that was not accounted for.
Distributing the estate before all debts are settled can leave you personally liable to creditors who have not been paid, regardless of your good intentions. Family disputes over the terms of the will, the pace of administration, or the value of assets rarely stay manageable without a professional keeping them contained. And the longer an estate stays open and unmanaged, the more expensive and contentious it tends to become and the harder it is to close cleanly.
How we guide you through the process
We work alongside you through the entire administration process. From reviewing the will and mapping all assets and liabilities to advising on probate, managing creditors, addressing tax obligations, and supervising the final distribution to beneficiaries. We tell you what to do and in what order, what your legal obligations are versus what is discretionary, and where the genuine risk points are at each stage. When disputes arise (and we always prepare for the possibility) we manage them so they do not derail the administration or leave you exposed.
By the time the estate is closed, every obligation has been met, every beneficiary has received what they were entitled to, and your position as executor has been protected throughout.
A clear, sequenced plan from grant to final distribution.
Assess the estate
We review the will, identify assets and liabilities, and advise you on all the administration steps required.
Manage and gather
We help you collect estate assets, manage creditor obligations, and navigate any disputes that arise during administration.
Distribute and close
We supervise distribution to beneficiaries and close the estate in accordance with the will or intestacy rules.
Experienced estate lawyers ready to guide you through administration.
Being named as executor by someone who trusted you is a mark of genuine respect – and stepping into that role while you are also grieving is harder than most people expect. The responsibility feels enormous because it is.
We have guided executors through administrations of every level of complexity: straightforward single-asset estates and complex administrations involving businesses, properties in multiple states, contested wills, and beneficiaries in dispute. We know what the process requires and how to make it manageable. You represent the deceased’s wishes. Our job is to help you do that correctly.
We understand you want to know the cost, before we get started.
We will map out our process, from beginning to end, so you know what the journey will look like before you get started.
We will provide you with a clear and detailed Work Proposal covering each step along the way.
Our fair fees are all-inclusive. No hidden costs for telephone calls, emails, photocopying, couriers, or coffee.
Our great lawyer guarantee
We want to be part of your team over the long term. We achieve this by adhering to these core principles:
Take the time
We listen carefully to understand what you want to achieve. Then we thoroughly explain our advice and step you through the documents. You can be sure you know the full consequences.
Share our knowledge
We will pass on as much knowledge as we can, so you can make your own informed decisions. We want to make you truly independent.
Stick to our knitting
We only do what we're good at. You can be confident that we know what we're doing and don't pass on the cost of our learning.
Work as one team
Someone will always be available to answer your questions, or point you in the right direction. You will also benefit from a range of perspectives and experience.
Fair pricing
For advice and documents, we provide a fixed or capped quote so you don't take price risk. If you're in a dispute, we map out the process and costs so you know what to expect.
It's your show
We're not in this for our egos. We're in it for a front row seat to witness your success.
