Book now
Home
>
>
Letters of Administration

Letters of Administration

When there’s no Will, we bring clarity and direction.

When someone dies without a Will, it’s called dying intestate. In this case, a Grant of Probate isn’t possible. Instead, someone close to the deceased must apply for Letters of Administration to manage the estate and the assets will be divided among surviving family members. 

If this sounds complicated, it can be – but that’s where we come in.

At Perth Probate Centre, we specialise in helping grieving families through the legal process of intestacy. We’ll help you work out if you can apply, what the next steps are, and how to get it done as smoothly and quickly as possible.

get started
our services

Work with Perth's leading experts in deceased estate law

You don’t need to figure this out alone. We’re here to explain the legal process, take care of the details, and ease the pressure when it matters most.

LOA Guided DIY

$1,495

Prefer to manage things yourself but want a lawyer to set you up?

We’ll prepare your application and send it to you with clear instructions on what to do next.

This package includes:

  • An application for Letters of Administration by a beneficiary of the estate
  • Preparing consent notices
  • 15 minute telephone call with our experienced team
  • Instructions for you to sign and file your application at the Court

Please note: The Court charges a separate filing fee of $408.

This option is best suited to simple estates where the deceased and applicant reside in WA.

read more
get started

Recommended

Application for Letters of Administration

$1,995

Need it done fast – and done for you?

We’ll prepare everything in advance and book you in for a signing appointment at our office.

This service includes:

  • Application for Letters of Administration by an adult beneficiary of the estate
  • Up to three consent notices (if needed)
  • An in-person appointment (up to 30 minutes) to sign and witness your application
  • Court filing and delivery of the grant

Please note: The Court charges a separate filing fee of $408.

read more
get started

LOA Plus

$2,995

Want guidance beyond the grant?

Our premium service includes everything in the ‘On the Spot’ package, plus tailored legal advice on what to do next as well as a customised roadmap to help you through it.

This service includes:

  • Application for Letters of Administration by an adult beneficiary of the estate
  • Up to three consent notices (if needed)
  • 60-minute conference with a probate lawyer
  • Court filing and delivery of the grant
  • Personalised step-by-step estate administration guide

Please note: The Court charges a separate filing fee of $408.

read more
get started

Prefer us to handle everything for you?

Reach out to our team and ask about our full estate administration service – for those who want the entire process taken care of, from start to finish.

Do you need a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration?

A Grant gives you authority to collect the assets and administer the estate. 

Does the estate include real estate?
Real estate means any interest in land - e.g. a home or investment property. If you are unsure, ask us to carry out a Landgate search.
Is the real estate owned as a joint tenant with another person?
Joint tenants is a type of joint ownership common between married couples and de facto partners. If you are unsure, ask us to carry out a Landgate search.
Does the estate include a financial asset valued at more than $20,000?
Are the financial assets owned jointly with another person?
Did the deceased leave a Will? *
Do any of the following circumstances apply?
  • You are unsure whether the Will was properly signed
  • You are not certain that the deceased was of full mental capacity when the Will was signed
  • You are unsure whether the Will is the last Will of the deceased or there is any evidence the deceased wished to revoke the Will
  • The Will is vague or unclear
  • There is any possibility of a dispute arising
  • Any beneficiary (a person entitled to distribution of the estate) is a minor
You will need a Grant of Probate to administer the estate.

We offer fixed price Probate applications.

Book now
You will need a Grant of Letters of Administration to administer the estate.

We offer fixed price applications.

Book now
It is unlikley that you need a Grant to administer the estate.

If you are unsure or would like legal advice, please contact us to book an estate administration consultation.

Book now

The application process

Get started online here, call our warm and welcoming team on (08) 9220 4490 or email .

We’ll help you figure out the best path forward. To start, we’ll just need:

  • Your full name
  • The full name of the person who has passed
  • A quick summary of the situation (if you’re unsure what service you need)

Legal guide

Need help with an estate?

Our plain-English legal guide has comprehensive and practical advice to help you to take charge and finalise the estate.

  • The duties and tasks of an executor are clearly and simply explained.
  • Helpful chapters cover every stage of the estate, from organising the funeral to making the final distributions of money and property.
download my instant free copy

FAQs

A Grant of Letters of Administration is a document issued by the Court authorising a person to administer the estate of person who died intestate (without leaving a valid Will). The Grant authorises the person (known as the administrator) to administer the estate by collecting the assets, paying liabilities and distributing the estate in accordance with the laws of intestacy.
The Supreme Court of Western Australia will take 6 – 8 weeks to review your application and issue a Grant.
Any one or more of the adult beneficiaries of the estate (as set out in the Administration Act 1903 (WA)) can apply for a grant of Letters of Administration of an intestate estate. The applicant must seek written consent from any adult beneficiary of the estate. If there is no adult beneficiary who is able to apply, another person may be entitled. Book a consultation for advice about your specific circumstances.
Please bring the documents and information listed on the relevant checklist.
An applicant for a grant of Letters of Administration must provide a statement of the deceased’s assets and liabilities as at the date of their death. The statement must include all real estate in Western Australia and all movable property and debts, whether in Western Australia or elsewhere. Any property the deceased owned as a joint tenant with another person who survived them does not form part of their estate, rather it passes to the surviving joint tenant by survivorship. Download our checklist to help you collate the information you need.
As a general rule, the answer is yes – executors and administrators can charge their reasonable legal costs to the estate. What is reasonable depends on the circumstances, but would generally include the costs of making an application for Probate or Letters of Administration.
Our advertised fees are for straightforward applications. They don’t include the Supreme Court of Western Australia filing fee which is $408. If your application is not straightforward or if you require additional legal advice or assistance we will give you a quote for our services. For full terms see our Product Disclosure Statement.

Why choose Perth Probate Centre?

Clear, compassionate probate support when you need it most.

01.
We simplify the process

Grief is hard enough. We’ll guide you step by step with practical advice and clear communication, so you always know what to expect.  Read what our clients say.

02.
We lighten the load

From paperwork to probate court, we handle the details so you can focus on what truly matters – your family and your wellbeing.

03.
We're trusted experts

With hundreds of estates managed, both big and small, we bring deep experience, legal know-how, and genuine care to every family we support.

We're here to help

Not sure where to begin?

You don’t have to have all the answers – that’s what we’re here for. Chat with our friendly legal team and we’ll guide you through it.

Let's talk
View the latest

From our blog

Understanding estate property transfers
Dealing with real estate in the name of a deceased owner involves lodging one or more applications at Landgate, the state government’s Land Information Authority. The following information will help you understand the process. Search the title Before preparing…
read more
5 reasons to engage a professional to help with administering an estate
Being an executor or administrator of a deceased estate is complex and comes with…
read more
Joint tenants and Tenants in common
There are two ways that people can co-own property: joint tenancy and tenancy in…
read more
Cyber security alert: Critical Information for Funds Transfers
Recently, individuals across Australia have faced financial losses due to hackers impersonating law firms…
read more

Meet our team

We specialise in probate and estate administration – it’s what we do, and we’ve been doing it for over 40 years. You’re in experienced hands.

Michael Hodgkins
Legal Practitioner Director
Michael is an experienced succession and property lawyer and has served the Western Australian community as a legal practitioner for over 27 years at Curae Law.  Michael has represented clients, both in and out of court, in matters spanning……
Phone-alt Envelope Link
Nigel Siegwart
Legal Practitioner Director
Nigel leads the firm’s litigation and dispute resolution team and has experience in a wide variety of litigation matters including deceased estate litigation, family provision claims, contractual and construction disputes, trust and property matters. Nigel has an instinctive ability……
Phone-alt Envelope Link
Lucy Dickens
Legal Practitioner Director
Lucy leads our non-contentious Wills and estates team, delivering clear, compassionate, and practical advice on succession planning and estate administration. Her approach combines legal expertise with a passion for innovation, making complex processes simple and accessible for our clients…….
Phone-alt Envelope Link
Sean McMurdo
Lawyer
Sean is a dedicated lawyer within the wills and probate team, specialising in guiding individuals through the intricacies of legal matters such as wills, powers of attorney, and powers of guardianship. In the realm of estate planning, Sean offers……
Phone-alt Envelope Link
Testimonials

What our clients say

Sean, Firstly I would like to thank yourself and the rest of the staff for making this such an easy going hassle free experience. We have now finalised a lot of [relative’s] estate, once again thank you for being so understanding and easy to deal with during a difficult time. Thank you for all your help
Perth Probate Centre Client
July 4, 2025
I have received excellent service from Curae Law. I would recommend anyone to accept their services.
Rikje Barnwell
June 25, 2025
Thank you for your email and the work you have done. It was a great seamless process for me which definitely reduced the stress levels.
Perth Probate Centre Client
June 24, 2025
Thank you so much for all the work you have done for me! There aren’t many appointments I don’t get anxious attending, but yours were one where I felt calm knowing you were running the show. Your care and way you have dealt with things that needed to be done, has been very much appreciated.
Perth Probate Centre Client
June 3, 2025
Thank you again Michael for all that you have done to support this outcome and I wish you all the best today and in the future. Kindest regards
Perth Probate Centre Client
May 30, 2025
Totally professional service highly recommended
Philip Rudkin
May 29, 2025
(08) 9220 4490
Make an appointment

Arrange a consultation with one of our friendly and experienced team members.

Book now

Let us contact you

We will respond to your online enquiry promptly.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Our plain-English guide How to manage a deceased estate has practical advice to help you to take charge and finalise the estate.
Download your free guide now