Wills & Estates Lawyer Fees in Adelaide (2026)

• How long the will takes. South Australia's Law Handbook says a lawyer's fee for a will depends on how long it takes to prepare, and that a more complex will costs more. Blended families, a family business or a wish to protect one beneficiary's share are what move a will from $280–$560 toward the testamentary trust tier at $1,850–$4,650. Mention these on the first call so the quote fits the job.
• Paired attorney documents. Many Adelaide firms quote a will and an enduring power of attorney together, which is the $560–$1,100 tier. Moneysmart explains that a general power of attorney ends if you lose the ability to make decisions, while an enduring one keeps operating. Ask which documents the bundled price includes, so you are not paying for a second appointment later.
• Owning the family home. In Greater Adelaide 30.9% of households own outright and 37.1% are paying a home off (ABS 2021 Census). When a house sits in an estate, the grant from the Supreme Court's Probate Registry is what lets the executor collect and deal with assets and pay estate debts. The size and mix of what was owned is what stretches the $1,400–$14,500 band, so ask how the firm prices it.
• No will, no probate. If a person dies without a valid will, the Law Handbook says probate cannot be obtained and the estate passes under the law of intestacy, so someone usually has to apply to the court to be appointed administrator. That is a different application from probate, so ask a firm to quote the letters of administration route on its own terms.
• A contested estate. Under South Australian law the Supreme Court may make a family provision order where a will does not adequately provide for a person, and it can do so even when there was no valid will. A spouse or domestic partner, a former partner and a child can apply, and a step-child can in limited cases. Contested work sits at $23,500–$37,000 in our table.
• Public Trustee or private firm. The Public Trustee in South Australia can prepare a will for free for some customers, such as eligible concession holders, but only when it is named as executor, and it then charges a percentage of the estate to administer it. Other trustee companies may also charge a commission. A private firm charges for the will up front instead, so weigh both costs before choosing.
• Online lodgement and checks. All probate lodgements in South Australia are made electronically through CourtSA, and Probate Registry staff examine applications for compliance with legislation and the Court's rules. Ask whether answering any queries from the Registry is inside the quoted fee, and how many grant applications the firm lodges, before you settle on a price.

Use a solicitor where there is property, a business, a blended family, overseas assets or any chance the will is challenged.

A single person with modest assets and a simple wish can use a low-cost online will; be aware Public Trustee 'free' wills are recovered through commission on the estate.