When a loved one passes, you can find yourself needing to deal with the issue of probate without having much of an idea as to what probate actually is.
If you’re wondering, ‘What is the meaning of probate?’ .. ‘How do I apply for probate?’ .. or even ‘How long does probate take?’… this article has the answers. Keep reading to find information on:
- the will and the executor;
- what is probate;
- whether you need a grant of probate;
- how to apply for probate;
- the cost of probate; and
- how long probate takes.
The will and the executor
In simple terms, a will is a legal document that sets out how a person’s money and assets should be distributed following their death. A codicil is a document that amends a previously executed will. For information about making an online will, see Make an Online Will – Get Started.
When a person dies and leaves a will, it is the job of the executor appointed in the deceased’s will to implement the terms of the will and administer the deceased’s estate. This usually involves collecting together the assets the deceased owned, paying off any debts they may have had, and distributing any remaining assets in accordance with the terms of their will.
If necessary, it is also the executor’s role as part of this process to apply for probate.
For more information about the executor’s role, see Duties of the Executor of a Will.
What is probate?
While many people are familiar with the concept of a will, and the idea that it provides instructions following a person’s death, the question ‘What does ‘probate’ mean?” commonly arises.
Probate is often an essential part of the process of administering a will. Probate is the legal process of proving a deceased person’s will in the Supreme Court. It is an official recognition by the Supreme Court that:
- the will in question is the final will made by the deceased; and
- the person/s named in the will as the executor/s is entitled to collect and distribute the assets in the deceased’s estate. A grant of probate enables an executor to require people or institutions that hold assets of the estate to transfer those assets to the executor.
Do I need a grant of probate?
Whether probate is needed often depends on the assets of the deceased estate. Probate may not be required if the deceased had minimal assets, or held property as a joint tenant (which will transfer by way of survivorship). However, estate assets held by institutions – such as money held in a bank, or shares held by a company – are likely to require probate so that the relevant institution has proof of the executor’s entitlement to collect the deceased’s assets. Likewise, transfer of real estate will usually require probate.
If you are collecting estate assets, it is a good idea to check with an asset holder as to whether they are willing to transfer the relevant asset without probate. If not, you will need to apply for a grant of probate.
Applying for probate
To get a grant of probate, the executor of the will should apply to the Supreme Court in their state. The executor may either:
- instruct a solicitor to act on their behalf;
- nominate a trustee company (e.g. the Public Trustee) to act as executor of the deceased estate; or
- make the application personally (i.e. do it themselves).
Note that a Supreme Court will only grant probate in relation to assets located in the Court’s state.
This article provides a summary of the process to be undertaken when making a personal application. Remember that preparing an application for probate can be complicated and time-consuming. Certain parts of the process may prove difficult for a person without legal experience; for example, responding to requisitions/requests for further information. If you are considering applying for a grant of probate, it is important to review the information on the relevant Supreme Court website and/or seek legal advice.
New South Wales
In New South Wales, an application for probate should:
- be filed within 6 months of the date of the deceased’s death;
- be advertised on the NSW Online Registry;
- after at least 14 days from the date of advertising, be filed – with all required documentation – at the Supreme Court of NSW Registry.
For a more detailed discussion of the NSW probate process, see:
Victoria
In Victoria, an application for probate should:
- be advertised;
- be filed – with all required documentation – in person at the Probate Office.
For a more detailed discussion of the Victoria probate process, see:
Queensland
In Queensland, an application for probate should:
- be published in the Queensland Law Reporter, with a copy of the notice provided to the Public Trustee;
- be published (at least 14 days after advertising, and at least 7 days after the Public Trustee receives the notice) – together with supporting documentation – at the Supreme Court of Queensland.
For a more detailed discussion of the Queensland probate process, see:
South Australia
In South Australia, an application for probate should:
- be made online at CourtSA, via the CourtSA Grant Application;
- involve presentation of the original will to the Probate Registry at an appointed time.
For a more detailed discussion of the South Australia probate process, see:
Western Australia
In Western Australia, an application for probate should:
- be made any time after 14 days from the date of the deceased’s death;
- be filed – together with all supporting documentation – at the Supreme Court Registry.
For a more detailed discussion of the Western Australia probate process, see:
Cost of probate
The cost of a grant of probate varies from state to state and can be affected by the value of the estate. In addition to advertising and filing fees, you may incur costs relating to:
- document preparation;
- acquiring the original Death Certificate;
- postage of the application; and/or
- solicitor’s fees (if you engage a solicitor).
You should consult the Supreme Court website in your state for further information.
How long does probate take?
The average processing times for a grant of probate in each state are discussed above. However, you should remember that these times do not account for particularly difficult applications, or requisitions from the registrar which require you to provide additional information before the application can be processed.
Complications which can cause a grant of probate to be delayed include:
- issues surrounding the Will, such as a question as to the particular document that comprises the final Will, or errors on the Will; and
- filing of a caveat by a party claiming to have an interest in the estate, which can pause the grant of probate until the claim is resolved.
Even in the absence of additional complications, the process of granting probate can take some time. Keep in mind that in some states, it is necessary to advertise a notice of intention to apply for probate for a period of 2 weeks and, even in states without this requirement, you may have to wait at least 14 days from the date of the deceased’s death before commencing the application process. It can then be a number of weeks, or months, from the date of filing before the registrar makes the grant.
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We hope this guide has answered your queries as to What is Probate? For further discussion about probate and estate administration, see our Probate FAQs.
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