How much does probate cost in QLD? (2026 guide)

TLDR: Probate in Queensland has three cost buckets – a Supreme Court filing fee, a small advertising fee for the mandatory notice, and legal fees if you use a lawyer. For the current 2026-27 financial year the court filing fee is $847.60 and the advertising fee (Queensland Law Reporter) is around $161.70. Both are reviewed each July. Legal fees vary a lot between firms, so always get a fixed quote up front. At Empire Legal we quote probate on a case-by-case basis so you know the number before we start.

Losing someone is hard enough without a mountain of paperwork landing on your lap. If you’ve been named executor, one of the first questions you’ll have is a practical one: what is this going to cost? Here’s the honest answer, with real figures, minus the legal waffle.

What probate actually is

Probate is the Supreme Court of Queensland’s official stamp that says a will is valid and the executor named in it has authority to deal with the estate. You generally need it before banks, share registries or the Titles Office will release or transfer the deceased’s assets.

Not every estate needs a grant. Small estates, or assets held as joint tenants that pass automatically to the survivor, often don’t. But most estates with real property or decent bank balances will.

How much does probate cost in QLD? The three costs

Here’s the full breakdown for the current 2026-27 financial year.

Figures are for the 2026-27 financial year and are reviewed each July – confirm the current amounts before you apply.

1. The Supreme Court filing fee

When you lodge your application with the Supreme Court, there’s a filing fee – $847.60 for 2026-27. It’s set by the court and reviewed every July, so it changes year to year. This is a fixed government cost, and it’s the same whether you use a lawyer or go it alone. It doesn’t scale with the size of the estate.

2. The advertising fee

Before you apply, Queensland law requires you to publish a “Notice of Intention to Apply for a Grant” in the Queensland Law Reporter and give notice to the Public Trustee. There’s a small fee to publish that notice – around $161.70. It’s minor compared with the court fee, but it’s a required step. Skip it, or word it wrongly, and your application stalls.

3. Legal fees (if you use a lawyer)

This is the part that varies the most. Some firms charge a percentage of the estate’s value on a sliding scale. Others – like us – quote a fixed fee based on how complex the estate actually is. A straightforward estate with a clear will and a couple of assets is a very different job to a contested estate with property in three states, so the fee should reflect that. This is why it’s always worth asking for a fixed quote up front rather than an open-ended hourly arrangement.

Why “how much does probate cost” doesn’t have one single answer

The size of the estate matters less than the mess. A tidy $2 million estate with one house and one bank account can be simpler – and cheaper to administer – than a $300,000 estate with a missing original will, a blended family and an argument brewing. Complexity drives cost, not just the dollar value.

That’s exactly why we don’t quote probate off a rate card. We look at the estate first, then give you a fixed number so there are no nasty surprises while you’re already grieving.

Who pays for probate?

The costs generally come out of the estate, not the executor’s own pocket. In practice, the executor may need to cover the filing and advertising fees up front and then be reimbursed from the estate once assets are released. If cash flow is tight before the grant comes through, that’s worth raising early so it can be planned for.

How long does probate take in QLD?

Anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the estate’s complexity and how quickly the required notice period passes. After you publish the Notice of Intention, there’s a waiting period before you can apply, and then the court needs time to process the application. A clean, well-prepared application moves faster – most delays come from missing documents or errors that have to be fixed and re-lodged.

Can you do probate yourself in QLD?

You can. Queensland doesn’t force you to use a lawyer, and for a very simple estate some executors handle it themselves. But probate is one of those jobs where a small mistake – a wrongly worded notice, a missed step, an asset you didn’t realise needed a grant – costs you weeks, and sometimes money. For a lot of executors, the peace of mind of handing it over is worth the legal fee. If the estate is genuinely simple, we’ll tell you honestly if you’re fine to handle parts of it yourself.

What if there’s no will?

Then it isn’t probate at all – it’s an application for a Grant of Letters of Administration, and Queensland’s intestacy rules decide who inherits. The court fees are similar, but the process has extra steps. Our guide on dying without a will in Queensland walks through it.

Getting probate sorted with Empire Legal

We’re a Queensland law firm helping everyday families across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Our team handles the whole probate process – the notice, the application, the paperwork and the distribution – and we quote it up front so you always know where you stand.

If you’ve lost someone and you’re staring down probate, give us a call on 07 3088 7675 (Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm) or send us a message. Have a look at our wills and estates service for the full picture, and if a dispute is brewing, our guide on contesting a will in QLD may help too.

Frequently asked questions

How much does probate cost in QLD?

For the 2026-27 financial year, the Supreme Court filing fee is $847.60 and the mandatory advertising fee is around $161.70. On top of that you’ll have legal fees if you use a lawyer, plus small outlays. Court and advertising fees are reviewed each July.

Do all estates need probate in Queensland?

No. Small estates and assets held as joint tenants often pass without a grant. Estates with real property or larger bank balances usually need one. We can tell you quickly whether yours does.

Does the estate or the executor pay for probate?

The costs generally come out of the estate, not the executor’s own pocket – though the executor may need to pay some fees up front and be reimbursed once assets are released.

How long does probate take in QLD?

Anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the estate’s complexity and how quickly the notice period passes.

Can I do probate myself in Queensland?

Yes, Queensland doesn’t require you to use a lawyer. But mistakes can cost weeks, so many executors prefer to hand it over – especially where there’s property or any complexity.

What happens if there is no will?

Then it’s not probate – it’s a Grant of Letters of Administration, and Queensland’s intestacy rules decide who inherits.

All information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Fees are reviewed each July and every estate is different – please contact our office for advice tailored to your situation.