This service requires legal advice and tailoring. Quoted fees for client acceptance will vary based on the complexity of the advice and/or documentation required.
A grant of probate is an acknowledgement by the court of the executor’s appointment and confirmation that the executor is legally empowered to administer the deceased’s estate.
Obtaining a grant of probate is generally necessary if the deceased held assets in their name only or jointly with other parties as tenants in common. Many third parties who hold or control estate assets require a copy of the probate document prior to releasing certain assets or payments (e.g. bank deposits, insurance payouts, aged care accommodation bonds, etc).
In order to approve an application for probate the Court reviews the Will submitted by the executor to determine whether it is valid and the most current document evidencing the testamentary intentions of the deceased. Once probate has been granted, the executor has the legal authority to manage the estate as per the terms of the Will.
In NSW, the application should be made within 6 months of the date of death.
We can take the stress out applying for the grant of probate by putting together the necessary documents for a smooth processing by the Supreme Court and arranging a meeting to talk the executor through the documents and execute them in our presence. This ensures that the application ticks all of the boxes for a straightforward assessment.
Once the application has been approved, Townsends also assist with all the remaining steps including administration of the estate: contacting various institutions holding or controlling estate assets and arranging for the transfer of those assets to the estate or to the beneficiaries named in the Will. Assistance is also available for processing transfers, including stamping and registration of transfer documents.
For more information, please fill out our no obligation enquiry tab and we will be pleased to contact you shortly, or call 02 8296 6266 for immediate assistance.