Legal Resources
General information about probate and estate administration, with verified legal resources added as they are reviewed.
General information, not legal advice
Free & low-cost legal help
Start with free legal information and advice (if eligible) before paying for a private solicitor. Free options appear first.
ELUMMA puts useful free and low-cost help first. Paid partnerships do not determine this order.
Community Legal Centres Australia
FREEFind a local community legal centre. Most provide free legal advice and some casework, especially for people who cannot afford a private lawyer. Services vary by centre.
Eligibility: Eligibility and services vary by centre. Use the national finder to locate your nearest centre and check what they offer.
ASIC's MoneySmart — Wills & powers of attorney
FREEFree, plain-English government information about making a Will, what makes it valid, and powers of attorney. Information only — it is not a Will-drafting service and does not replace legal advice.
Eligibility: Available to everyone.
National Legal Aid
FREE IF ELIGIBLEFree legal information, and — subject to a means test — legal advice and representation. Start with your state or territory Legal Aid commission, which can direct you to the right help for Wills, estates and disputes.
Eligibility: Legal aid advice and representation depend on your legal matter, financial circumstances and state/territory. General legal information is free; ongoing help is means-tested.
Private solicitor (paid professional help)
FEE APPLIESFor complex Wills, estates, disputes, blended families, trusts, businesses, overseas assets or capacity concerns, a private solicitor provides tailored legal advice and document drafting. Free preliminary legal information does not include drafting a Will — drafting is a paid service.
Eligibility: Anyone; fees apply. Ask for an upfront, written estimate before proceeding. Use your state or territory Law Society to find a solicitor.
Free online Wills
If you are looking for a free way to make a Will, these verified free and lower-cost options are a starting point. Free options appear first, and a free online Will is not legal advice.
Online or DIY Wills suit straightforward circumstances. If your situation is complex — blended families, a business or trust, overseas assets, or someone who may lack capacity — a DIY Will may not be appropriate and legal advice may be worth getting. An online Will tool is self-help, not legal advice.
EveryWill — Free Online Will
FREECan help with: Online Will-writing service for Australians. Create a Will online, then print, sign and witness it. EveryWill states its online Wills are free and include unlimited free updates for life.
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Will & legal resources
No verified legal resources are published here yet.
Guides on probate & estates
A plain-English guide to debts after death in Australia — what happens to debts of the deceased, why the estate matters, and when an executor should get professional help.
A plain-English guide to dying without a valid Will in Australia — what intestacy means, who can administer the estate, how inheritance rules work, and why the person's state or territory matters.
A plain-English explanation of probate in Australia — what it is, when it may be needed, who applies, what happens when there is no Will, and why the process differs between states and territories.
A plain-English guide to what can happen to bank accounts after a death in Australia, including sole and joint accounts, direct debits, funeral expenses and why bank requirements can differ.