Wills & Estates Lawyer Fees in Melbourne (2026)
A Melbourne will is priced by how much the lawyer has to think through, not by its length. In our table a plain will costs $320–$650, and one drawn up together with an enduring power of attorney costs $650–$1,300. Creating a testamentary trust, which people use for blended families, a business or young beneficiaries, lifts it to $2,150–$5,400. After a death the work changes hands: getting the grant and administering the estate is $1,600–$16,500, and a contested estate costs $27,000–$43,000. In Victoria the way the family home is titled is a big swing factor, so have the title details handy before you ring around.
Comparing cities, or after the Australia-wide picture? See the national guide: How much does a wills & estates lawyer cost in Australia?
Detailed Pricing — Wills & Estates Lawyer Cost in Melbourne 2026
| Tier | Typical professional fee (ex GST) | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Simple will | $320–$650 | Per document |
| Standard will with enduring power of attorney | $650–$1,300 | Per package |
| Complex will with testamentary trust | $2,150–$5,400 | Per package |
| Probate application and estate administration | $1,600–$16,500 | Per estate |
| Contesting a will (family provision claim) | $27,000–$43,000 | Per matter |
You're in.
A local firm will be in touch about your enquiry. No spam, no middleman.
Getting quotes for Wills & Estates Lawyer work in Melbourne? Get a quote from a verified local wills & estates lawyer — free, no obligation.
Get Melbourne quotes →What Moves the Wills & Estates Lawyer Cost in Melbourne
- Sole name or joint. Victoria's Supreme Court treats land according to its title: if the deceased held it alone or as a tenant in common, a grant is always needed, while a jointly held home can usually be moved to the survivor through an application to the Land Titles Office. Greater Melbourne has 37.1% of households with a mortgage and 29.7% owning outright (ABS 2021 Census), so property is often in the estate, and its title drives the $1,600–$16,500 quote.
- Witnessing by video. Victorian law lets the two witnesses to a will take part over an audio visual link rather than in the room, provided one of them is a lawyer or a justice of the peace, the will-maker's signature is seen, and every signature goes on in a single day. The will itself must still be in writing. Find out whether the firm runs remote signings and whether the $320–$650 price already covers that session.
- Family shape. Victoria Legal Aid explains that where no valid will exists, Victorian law, not the person, decides who gets the assets, starting with a partner, then children, then parents, siblings and wider relatives. Stepchildren, a second partner or a child who needs support can all fall outside what someone intended. Drafting around those relationships, which can mean a trust inside the will priced at $2,150–$5,400, is where the extra fee goes.
- Who acts as executor. Nobody needs a law degree to act as executor; the ATO notes the estate's representative is usually whoever the will names. Another option is State Trustees, which says it is backed by the Victorian Government: naming it as executor costs nothing up front, and the bill for administering the estate is met from the estate once you have died. Compare that with a private firm or a trusted relative before choosing.
- Powers of attorney alongside. If you lose capacity with no power of attorney in place, Victoria Legal Aid warns that VCAT may be called on to appoint someone for you. A power of attorney avoids that by letting you pick who decides financial and personal matters. The bundled $650–$1,300 tier exists for this, so check that the price covers witnessing the power as well as the will.
- A challenged estate. Victoria's form of will challenge is the testator family maintenance claim, open to people the deceased was morally bound to provide for: usually a partner, a child or a stepchild, and in some cases a dependent carer, household member or grandchild. The claim has to be lodged within six months from the day the grant is made. These files cost $27,000–$43,000 because they turn on evidence, negotiation and at times a hearing.
Solicitor, online will or Public Trustee?
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.
How to Keep the Wills & Estates Lawyer Cost Sane in Melbourne
This guide is general information, not advice. Figures are typical ranges compiled from published Australian sources in 2026 and are not a quote; confirm fees with the provider before engaging them. This page is general information, not legal advice. Professional fees are exclusive of GST; court and tribunal filing fees, government charges and disbursements are separate and are not included in any band above. Hourly figures are market ranges, not a scale.