Probate costs in Victoria

The Court's fee for filing an application for a grant of representation is calculated on the gross value of Victorian assets only. The following bands are taken from the Supreme Court of Victoria fee schedule effective 1 July 2026, which applies to a standard fee payer. Under the schedule's definitions, the executor or administrator of a deceased estate is a standard fee payer.

Advertising the notice of intention

The notice of intention to apply for a grant must be published online through RedCrest-Probate at least 15 days before the application is filed. Under the schedule effective 1 July 2026 the fee for posting that notice was $38.00, with a higher fee for a republished notice.

The small estate service

Where the estate is under the small estate limit and the application is simple, the Probate Office's optional service can prepare the application. The fee for that preparation was $285.00 under the schedule effective 1 July 2026. The small estate limit is calculated under section 71 of the Administration and Probate Act 1958.

Other typical disbursements

• The death certificate, obtained from Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria.
• Land registry lodgement fees where estate property is transferred or sold.
• Company or share registry transfer costs.
• Valuations, where an asset's value must be established.
• Accounting fees for the deceased's or the estate's tax returns.

We do not publish a fixed price for probate. A figure quoted before anyone has seen the will, the asset list and the family circumstances is not a reliable estimate, and estates differ enormously in what they actually require.

What we do instead is straightforward. Before any work begins we discuss:

• what needs to be done, and what does not — some estates do not need a grant at all;
• which parts we would handle and which you may prefer to do yourself;
• the likely Court fee band based on the gross value of the Victorian assets;
• our costs for the scope we have identified, and what would change them;
• which costs are payable by the estate and when.

Legal costs are governed by Victorian legal costs legislation. The disclosure required depends on the estimated total legal costs and any applicable statutory exception. If you ever have a concern about a Victorian lawyer's costs or conduct, the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner is the relevant body.

• Whether the original will is available and can be admitted to probate, and whether the named executor can act.
• The number and type of assets, and how cooperative the institutions holding them are.
• Whether there is real property to transfer or sell.
• Whether the estate has debts, tax arrears or an insolvency question.
• Whether a caveat, a challenge to the will or a family provision claim arises.
• Whether assets are held outside Victoria and a reseal or separate grant is needed.

Broadly, an estate with a clear will, a small number of institutions and no dispute involves less work than one where entitlements, assets or the will itself are in question. We set out the expected scope and costs before work begins. See executor duties for situations in which additional work or risk may arise.