Estates · Adelaide & South Australia
Probate Lawyers in Adelaide
Yes — Zed Legal Australia prepares and lodges applications for grants of probate and letters of administration with the Supreme Court of South Australia, for a fixed fee from $2,800 + GST for the grant, and supports executors through the administration of the estate under the Succession Act 2023 (SA).
Fixed fee · Grant of probate
From $2,800 + GST
- Reviewing the will, death certificate and estate details
- Preparing the probate application and supporting documents
- Lodging with the Supreme Court Probate Registry
- Dealing with Registry questions through to the grant
Court filing fee and searches are extra and paid from the estate. Letters of administration and estate administration after the grant are quoted separately.
Being named as an executor usually comes at a difficult time. We take the court application off your hands for a fixed fee, explain each step in plain English, and help you administer the estate properly once the grant issues.
Overview
A grant of probate is the Supreme Court’s confirmation that a will is valid and that the executor has authority to deal with the deceased’s assets. Banks, share registries and the Land Titles Office will usually ask to see it before they release funds or transfer property held in the deceased’s sole name.
Where there is no valid will, or no executor able to act, the application is instead for letters of administration, and the people entitled to the estate are worked out under the Succession Act 2023 (SA). That Act commenced on 1 January 2025 and replaced the Administration and Probate Act 1919, so older guides and precedents may no longer reflect the law.
We prepare the application and supporting documents, lodge them with the Probate Registry, deal with any questions the Registry raises, and then guide you through collecting the assets, paying debts and distributing the estate.
Who this is for
- Executors named in a will who need a grant of probate
- Family members of someone who died without a will
- Executors who are interstate or overseas and need someone in Adelaide to handle the application
- Executors who have been asked for a grant by a bank, super fund or the Land Titles Office
How we help
- Grants of probate, for a fixed fee
- Letters of administration where there is no will, or no executor able to act
- Estate administration: collecting assets, paying debts and distributing to beneficiaries
- Transferring or selling real property held by the estate
- Advice to executors on their duties and on claims against the estate
How it works
- 01
Talk to us
A short call to understand the estate, the will and who is involved. We confirm the fixed fee in writing before any work starts.
- 02
Gather
We tell you exactly what we need — usually the original will, the death certificate and a list of assets and debts — and obtain what we can on your behalf.
- 03
Apply
We prepare the application and supporting documents, have you sign them, and lodge them with the Supreme Court Probate Registry.
- 04
Administer
Once the grant issues, we can help you collect the assets, pay any debts and distribute the estate to the beneficiaries. This work is not part of the fixed fee for the grant — it is charged separately, and we explain how before any of it starts.
Common questions
How much does probate cost in South Australia?
Our professional fee for obtaining a grant of probate is a fixed fee from $2,800 + GST, confirmed in writing before we start. The Supreme Court also charges a filing fee, which depends on the value of the estate and is paid from estate funds. Administering the estate after the grant is charged separately, and we explain how before any of that work starts.
Do I need probate?
Not always. Assets held jointly pass to the surviving owner, and some banks will release smaller balances without a grant. But where the deceased owned real property in their sole name, or held significant bank accounts or shares, a grant is usually required before those assets can be dealt with. We can tell you quickly whether a grant is needed.
What is the difference between probate and letters of administration?
Probate is granted to the executor named in a valid will. Letters of administration are granted when there is no valid will, or when the named executor cannot or will not act. Either way, the grant gives the person appointed the legal authority to administer the estate.
How long does it take to get a grant of probate?
It depends mainly on how quickly the documents can be gathered and on the Probate Registry’s workload at the time. We will give you an estimate once we have looked at the estate, and we keep you updated until the grant issues.
Can I be an executor if I live interstate or overseas?
Yes. An executor does not need to live in South Australia. We can handle the application and much of the administration for you, arrange for documents to be signed where you are, and keep you updated by email and phone.
What law applies to estates in South Australia now?
Since 1 January 2025, the Succession Act 2023 (SA) has governed wills, intestacy, the administration of estates and family provision claims. It replaced the Wills Act 1936, the Administration and Probate Act 1919 and the Inheritance (Family Provision) Act 1972.
Related services
Related insights
Speak with Zed Legal
Tell us what you need help with and we will point you in the right direction. No obligation, no jargon.
The information on this page is general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice about your specific circumstances, please contact Zed Legal Australia.
Need legal help
without the
usual fog?
Tell us what you need help with and we will point you in the right direction. No obligation. No jargon.