Service

Probate and Letters of Administration

Applying for Probate or Letters of Administration can be time consuming and stressful.

Executors and Administrators face a heavy burden often juggling complex legal procedures, financial liabilities and family dynamics while navigating personal grief.

Fortunately, you don't have to do it alone.

Andrew guides you through every step of the process with clarity to ensure a smooth and prompt grant of Probate or Letters of Administration to enable estates to be efficiently administered to completion.

What is Probate and Letters of Administration

Probate is the legal process by which a deceased person's Will is validated by the Supreme Court of Victoria which gives legal authority to the executor to administer the estate. Not all estates require probate – but where a deceased person held significant assets (particularly real estate), it will be required.

If a person dies without a Will (intestate), a family member can apply for Letters of Administration, which provides similar authority to an executor and allows the estate to be administered according to the intestacy (no Will) rules.

What's Involved

Andrew O'Bryan assists Executors and Administrators with every aspect of the probate process in Victoria.

Advising whether Probate or Letters of Administration are required.
Review of key documents including the Will & Death Certificate.
Identifying any evidentiary issues (eg- Will not signed/witnessed correctly or death certificate noting dementia at the time the Will was signed).
Obtaining evidence on affidavit to deal with any evidentiary issues.
Preparing all documents including Executor/ Administrator affidavit & filing the Probate or Letters of Administration application at court.
Obtaining the court grant (Probate or Letters of Administration) and certification of copies.
Advising next steps to efficiently administer the estate to completion.

Timeline Process- Probate or Letters of Administration

Document Gathering

You apply for the Death Certificate and gather up the original Will and other important asset/liability documents.
Consultation

We review your documents and give advice regarding required steps to administer the estate.
Probate or Letters of Administration

Application prepared and filed at court.
Estate Administration

With Probate or Letters of Administration granted, Andrew assists you to call in assets, pay debts & liabilities and distribute the estate.