If your loved one or close relative has passed away in WA without leaving a will, you may find yourself needing to get up to speed on Letters of Administration – what they are, what they do, and how to get them.
Letters of Administration is a document provided by the Supreme Court of WA which is often required to collect and distribute the assets or property of a person who did not leave a will outlining what they would like done with their estate.
This guide will take you through the things you need to know about getting a grant of Letters of Administration in WA, including:
- Intestacy and inheritance – working out who is entitled to a deceased’s estate when they didn’t leave a will
- Who can apply for Letters of Administration in WA
- When and how to apply for Letters of Administration in WA
- Costs and fees of Letters of Administration WA
- Using a lawyer to apply for Letters of Administration WA
Quick Overview
As discussed in our guide to What are Letters of Administration?, a grant of Letters of Administration is the means by which the court grants authority to the administrator to deal with the estate of a person who has passed away without a will. Dealing with the estate can include collecting and distributing assets, and settling the deceased’s debts.
For more information about the administrator, see below.
Intestacy and Inheritance: Who is Entitled to the Deceased’s Estate?
Under WA legislation (specifically, the Administration Act 1903 (WA)), there is an ‘order’ of relatives of the deceased who are entitled to inherit the deceased’s estate.
This order can be summarised as follows:
- Spouse(s) only.
- Spouse(s) and children.
- Children.
- Parents.
- Siblings.
- Grandparents.
- Aunts and uncles.
The purpose of this ‘order’ is to consider each category one by one, starting with the first, in order to determine if the deceased had any relatives that fit the description. Once the deceased’s next of kin have been identified in accordance with the above process, the legislation also sets out what percentage of the estate these next of kin are entitled to; that is, how the estate is to be shared.
It’s important to note that the explanation above is merely a summary of the intestacy and succession processes in WA, and should not be taken as legal advice. Remember that this area of the law is complicated and multi-layered and you should seek professional legal advice to understand your rights in relation to an intestate estate.
Who Can Get Letters of Administration in WA?
Under the laws of WA Letters of Administration, it is generally only the person/s who are entitled to receive all or a part of the deceased’s estate who are entitled to apply for a grant of Letters of Administration. Two or more eligible people can apply jointly for a grant of Letters of Administration.
When to Apply for Letters of Administration WA
In WA, you can file an application for Letters of Administration any time after the date that is 14 days from the date of the deceased’s death.
How to Apply for Letters of Administration WA
The process for applying for Letters of Administration in Western Australia can be complex, and is usually less straight-forward than applying for probate WA.
In order to get Letters of Administration, a person entitled to be appointed administrator should follow these steps:
- Death certificate – Apply to the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages for a death certificate.
- Work out who should apply – As mentioned above, the person/s who are entitled to inherit the deceased’s assets should apply for Letters of Administration. To work out who this is, see ‘Intestacy and inheritance’ above.
- Complete the application forms – Some forms can be obtained from the Supreme Court of Western Australia website. Completing application forms to the standard required by the Court can be time-consuming and tricky, and it is a good idea to seek the assistance of an experienced lawyer.
- Submit the application – You can lodge your application for Letters of Administration at the Central Office of the Supreme Court of Western Australia. This can be done in person or by post.
Letters of Administration WA – Costs and Fees
At the time of writing, the WA Supreme Court filing fee for Letters of Administration was $370.
How Long Does a Grant of Letters of Administration in WA Take?
Applications should be processed within approximately 8 weeks. Keep in mind that applications that are filled out incorrectly or are missing important information can significantly delay the process.
Getting Legal Help – Fixed Fee Service
As you can see, applying for Letters of Administration in Western Australia can be complicated – there are forms to complete and legislation to interpret. Undertaking the process without adequate experience or advice can lead to errors in determining entitlement and failures in satisfying court requirements. This in turn creates enormous stress and can hold up the process while you go round in circles trying to work out how to rectify your mistakes.
Professional advice is both important and helpful in ensuring an application for Letters of Administration is done correctly and efficiently. However, we know that that advice should not come at an exorbitant cost. Gathered Here offers access to the best lawyers at the most affordable rates. Our Fixed Fee Service means you’ll be told the legal fee for your Letters of Administration application before any work is commenced. Get a fixed fee quote now – it’s free and there’s no obligation to proceed.
Reimbursement of Administration Costs From the Estate
Remember that costs associated with acting as administrator such as the costs of our Fixed Fee Service and the WA Supreme Court’s filing fee can be reimbursed from the deceased’s estate once a grant of Letters of Administration is obtained.
We hope you’ve found this guide to Letters of Administration WA useful. For information about dealing with a deceased’s estate, see our Probate FAQs.
If you have any questions about our Fixed Fee Service, or any of our other services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at support@gatheredhere.com.au or start a live chat by clicking the floating message box in the bottom right corner of your screen.
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