Estimate what administering a deceased estate might cost: the Supreme Court filing fee for your estate band, professional fees as a percentage, and other disbursements.
Administering an estate has three cost layers. The court filing fee is set by regulation and depends on the gross value of the estate. In NSW, for summonses filed from 1 July 2026, the fee is nil below $100,000, $960 from $100,000, $1,303 from $250,000, $1,999 from $500,000, $2,663 from $1 million, $4,439 from $2 million and $7,399 from $5 million. In Victoria, from 1 July 2026, the fee is nil below $250,000, then $544, $1,088, $2,538.70, $5,077.40, $7,598.80, $12,693.40 and $17,770.80 for estates of $7 million or more (Victorian assets only). See probate fees by state.
Professional fees vary widely. Lawyers may charge a fixed fee for the grant, then hourly rates or a quoted fee for administration; some trustee companies charge a percentage set by statute or by their fee schedule. The percentage in this tool is an illustrative assumption, not a market rate. Ask for a written costs disclosure. Disbursements include online notices, valuations, death certificates, title searches and copies.
Formula: costs = estate value × percentage + court fee; estate left = value − costs − disbursements.
Worked example (illustrative): a NSW estate worth $850,000 attracts the $1,999 fee. If professional fees came to 1.2% ($10,200) and disbursements to $2,500, total costs would be $14,699 and about $835,300 would be left before debts, tax and any claims.
Limits: the tool does not include funeral costs, debts, capital gains tax, legal costs of a family provision claim, or an executor's commission. Assets held jointly or super paid directly to a beneficiary are usually outside the estate and should not be counted.
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The costs and paperwork of wills, probate, family provision claims, powers of attorney, super death benefits and separation in Australia, with 2026 court fees.
