Deceased Estates & Estate Administration

Are you the executor of an estate and need help with applying for Probate?

Do you wish to be appointed as the administrator of an estate for someone who has passed away without executing a Will?

Are you worried that a Will hasn’t been executed properly?

Have you received a requisition from the Supreme Court in relation to an existing application for a grant?

Do you need to obtain a reseal of an existing grant issued in another State or Territory?

Have you been appointed as the executor of someone’s Will but wish to renounce?

Do you need advice in relation to your obligations and duties as an executor or administrator of an estate?

How Couldwell Legal Can Help You

We can assist you to obtain a grant of Probate (if a Will is in place) or a grant of letters of administration (if there is no Will in place) from the Supreme Court of Western Australia.

Every deceased estate is unique. We can help guide you through what can be a tricky and overwhelming process particularly when it comes to detailing the assets and liabilities which form part of the deceased estate. We can also provide you with advice in relation to your obligations and duties as an executor or administrator of an estate which can include arranging the funeral arrangements, liaising with family members, banks, government agencies and other professional advisors, selling assets of the estate, paying estate debts and much more.

Obtaining a Grant

Our Wills and Estate services incorporate the preparation of and advice in relation to the following:

  • Obtaining grants of Probate
  • Obtaining grants of letters of administration (when someone dies without a Will)
  • Obtaining grants of letters of administration with Will annexed (when someone dies with a valid Will but without an executor)
  • Applications for lost Wills
  • Proving informal Wills (Wills which do not meet the formal requirements at law)
  • Responding to Probate requisitions
  • Resealing a grant of Probate or a grant of letters of administration in Western Australia
  • Renunciation of an appointed Executor
  • Ascertaining assets and liabilities

After Obtaining a Grant

Once a grant has been issued, we can also assist you with the following:

  • Realising the assets of the estate
  • Sale and transfer of the deceased’s property
  • Selling real property (landholdings) which forms part of the estate
  • Transferring real property of the estate into the name of a beneficiary
  • Repayment of estate debts
  • Legal obligations and duties of executors
  • Communicating with beneficiaries
  • Distributing the estate to beneficiaries
  • Clarifying the deceased’s and the estate’s tax obligations

  • Accessibility, Clarity and Compassion are not just words on their website.

    “When my nana was asked to take on Executor duties for a late friend’s estate, we had no idea what that actually involved, and honestly, it felt overwhelming. She is not someone who has had much to do with lawyers, and the thought of navigating an estate administration process was daunting.

    From the very first call with Couldwell Legal, that changed.

    Accessibility, Clarity and Compassion are not just words on their website. They are the way this firm actually operates, and you feel it in every interaction with the team. Appointments were flexible and easy to arrange around our schedules. Nothing was rushed and nothing felt too silly to ask!

    What stood out most was how every step was explained in plain English. No jargon, no assumption that we already understood the process. Just calm, clear explanations of what needed to happen, why it mattered, and what to expect next. For someone who could have easily felt lost and out of her depth, my nana felt informed and confident throughout. 

    And the compassion was real. Administering the estate of a friend is not just a legal task. It is personal. The team at Couldwell Legal understands that, and it showed in the way they handled every part of the process.
    If you or someone you love needs help with estate administration, we would not hesitate to recommend Couldwell Legal. They made something unfamiliar feel completely manageable. Thank you again Khalia and the whole Couldwell team for your support! 

    Glenda & Rebecca

  • Accessibility, Clarity and Compassion are the way this firm actually operates, and you feel it in every interaction with the team.

     “I can’t thank Gemma, Khalia, Stephanie and the team at Couldwell Legal enough for helping me obtain the Grant of Probate for my father’s estate.

    Prior to engaging the firm, I was incredibly stressed. The estate had experienced significant delays, communication had stalled, and I felt completely lost in my role as Executor. At the same time, I was navigating the grief of losing my father and supporting the family he left behind.

    From our very first conversation, the team gave me a clear understanding of the process, the likely timeframes, and what to expect. That guidance alone lifted a huge weight from my shoulders.

    Khalia and the team kept me informed every step of the way, communicated clearly, completed everything promptly and efficiently, and obtained the Grant of Probate without any issues or requisitions.

    I genuinely don’t think the estate would have progressed as smoothly without their support and expertise.

    If you’re an Executor feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility of administering an estate, I couldn’t recommend Couldwell Legal more highly. They gave me exactly what I needed during a very difficult time: clarity, support and peace of mind.”

    Shannen

Book your Obligation free 15 minute consultation

At Couldwell Legal we understand that an initial discussion about your situation can often be the best way to start the process, and we’re pleased to offer all new and existing clients an obligation free 15 minute phone consultation for every new matter.

This provides you with an opportunity to provide us with an outline of your situation and clarify the assistance you’re looking for.

Accessibility, Clarity and Compassion