Probate Law in West Leederville – Western Australia
Note: Our Perth Probate Law Service Office is in East Perth & We Help Clients All Across Perth and WA.
Are you a West Leederville Resident and need a probate but not sure what that means?
To receive a grant of Probate in WA, there must be a Will made by a person (called a ‘testator’) that nominates another person to administer the Will (called an ‘executor’), which specifies which people are to benefit under the Will (called ‘beneficiaries’).
What is Probate in Western Australia?
Probate is a certificate granted by the Probate Office of the Supreme Court of Western Australia. It means that the deceased’s Will has been proved as valid and registered and that the executor has been granted authority to administer the deceased estate.
How do you apply for Probate in West Leederville, Western Australia?
To obtain Probate of a Will in WA, an application must be made to the Supreme Court of Western Australia at any time after 14 days from the death of the deceased. A solicitor, executor or a person entitled to the administration of the estate may make the application.
You or your lawyer can apply for a grant of Probate by preparing and filing an online application or by submitting an application in person at the Probate Office or by posting an application. Often these forms can become overwhelming, with the assistance of our lawyers we can ensure that the forms are filled out correctly.
Forms and rough cost guide for the forms
- Filing application for a grant of probate or administration $370
- Depositing a will of a deceased person $106
- Depositing a will or instrument under the Wills Act s.44(1) $106
- Copy of a Will or any other document per page $2.25
- Certificate fee $25.90
- Exemplification of a grant for settling a citation or a subpoena $133.50
- Search fee $54
The Online Application Form may not be suitable for applications where:
- There is no will or the will cannot be located;
- The will is not the original, that is, only a copy of the will can be found;
- You are not an executor named in the will;
- The will is not signed and witnessed; or
- The deceased had no assets in Western Australia.
If the above considerations are relevant to your application it is suggested that you seek independent advice from a lawyer such as Clairs Keeley. Legal restrictions prevent officers of the Supreme Court and the Probate Office from providing legal advice to you.
For the majority of applications, the Probate Office will issue grants of Probate in approximately 2 to 3 weeks from the receipt of the application.
More complex matters may take longer for probate to be issued. The Probate Office will require an inventory and valuation of assets and liabilities of the deceased at the time of death.
If a person has passed away without a valid Will, the court may grant Letters of Administration to a person who would be a beneficiary of the deceased’s estate. This person will usually be the deceased spouse, parents, siblings, children or grandchildren.
Letters of Administration and Letters of Administration with Will Annexed
If a deceased person has a Will but the Will does not name an executor or the executor named is not able or willing to apply for Probate, then the court may grant Letters of Administration with the Will Annexed to a person who would be a beneficiary of the deceased’s estate.
For Letters of Administration there are no standard forms, they are complex application and we recommend that applicants should seek the assistance of a lawyer.
These applications can be made to the Supreme Court of Western Australia after 14 days from the deceased’s death.
What is the executor’s role?
The executor’s role is to manage, administer, direct and dispose of property under the Will.
The executor’s duties include but are not limited to:
- Burying the deceased;
- Proving the Will by applying to the court for a grant of Probate or Letters of Administration;
- Administering the estate according to the law;
- Paying the debts of the estate; and
- Distributing the balance of the estate to the beneficiaries.
- Taking care of business interests;
- Safeguarding any income;
- Investing money not currently required;
- Collecting any valuables; and
- Making sure property is appropriately insured.
Furthermore, the executor will need to value the estate and keep a list of all the valuations. The estate may consist of the following:
- Cash;
- Business interests;
- Personal effects;
- Securities;
- Real estate;
- Property sales;
- Debts due; and
- Debts owing.
The executor is required to notify all the beneficiaries named in the Will that the deceased has passed away and what benefits they are entitled to under the Will.
The executor may also need to complete and lodge income tax returns and obtain a clearance from the Australian Tax Office. All the debts of an estate must first be paid for before any distribution of the assets. To pay for the debts of the estate, may require the selling of assets of the estate.
What is the priority of payment of expenses once Probate is obtained?
Once the executor obtains a grant of Probate, the assets must first be collected before any payment from the estate is made. Funeral, testamentary and administration expenses have priority over all other payments.
Once this has occurred, the executor may pay the debts of the estate.
If the Will disposes of any property that has a mortgage, charge, lien or other money owing on it and the testator has not specified in the Will, by deed or in any other document how this is to be paid, then all the beneficiaries are primarily liable for discharging the debts before any distribution of the property.
The remaining assets can be distributed amongst the beneficiaries according to the Will once all debts have been paid.
If you want to know more about probate law, view more on our probate law West Leederville page.
If you are ready to talk to us today and get your probate application started to click we can help button on the right to fill out the form and get in touch with our experienced lawyers today.
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Contact Us
Clairs Keeley Lawyers are specialist Will Lawyers for Families from West Leederville and all across WA.
Please phone on (08) 9228 0811 or email us (Fill in the form on this page) to get quality advice.
