When someone you love passes away, the grief alone is enormous. The last thing you need is to be navigating unfamiliar legal processes at the same time. We’re here to take that burden off your shoulders entirely.

What is a Grant of Representation?

Before a deceased estate can be properly administered — assets transferred, accounts closed, property dealt with — the law often requires formal recognition of who has authority to act. That recognition comes in one of two forms:

Grant of Probate applies when the person who passed away left a valid Will. Probate is the Supreme Court’s confirmation that the Will is genuine and that the named executor has authority to administer the estate.

Letters of Administration are required when there is no valid Will (known as dying intestate), or when the named executor is unable or unwilling to act. The Court appoints an administrator — usually the next of kin — to manage and distribute the estate according to Victoria’s intestacy laws.

Not every estate requires a formal Grant. Whether one is needed depends on the assets involved, how they were held, and their total value. We’ll assess your situation from the outset and give you a clear picture of what’s required.

What the process involves

Estate administration typically includes some or all of the following:

• Identifying and valuing all assets and liabilities;
• Preparing and filing the Court application for Probate or Letters of Administration;
• Notifying financial institutions, government bodies, and the ATO;
• Settling outstanding debts and liabilities;
• Transferring or realising assets;
• Distributing the estate to beneficiaries in accordance with the Will or intestacy laws.

The complexity and timeline vary depending on the size of the estate, the assets involved, and whether any disputes arise. We’ll be transparent with you about what to expect at every stage.

How we work with you

We handle all the legal formalities so you don’t have to — but we also keep you informed throughout, because this is your family’s matter and you deserve to understand what’s happening and why. We communicate in plain English, move at a pace that suits you, and treat every family’s circumstances with the care they deserve.

If you’ve recently lost someone and aren’t sure where to start, book a free 15-minute discovery call. We’ll help you understand what’s needed and how we can help.