What an estate solicitor does
An estate solicitor is a lawyer who works on wills, enduring powers of attorney and similar documents, and on winding up an estate after someone dies. Some practices do this every day. Others do it alongside other work.
While someone is living with a terminal illness, a solicitor can help put documents in place. After a death, the executor may ask one to help with probate, which is the Supreme Court's confirmation that the will is valid and the executor can act, where it is needed, and with the administration that follows.
How people in Australia usually find one
Many people start with a recommendation from family or a friend, or with a practice they have used before. Every state and territory has a law society or law institute with a find a lawyer or referral service that lists solicitors by area of practice. Each state and territory also has a legal aid commission that publishes free legal information and runs a phone line, though grants of aid rarely cover wills or estates.
A first appointment is the usual starting point. Some practices offer a short first conversation to see whether they are the right fit. Ask what it costs and what it covers before you book. This is general information, not legal advice.
What to bring to a first appointment
Any existing will or power of attorney, even an old one. Names and contact details of the people who would be involved: family, an executor, anyone who would make decisions. A rough list of what is owned and owed, and where the paperwork is.
Questions worth asking: how they charge, how long things usually take, and who you will deal with day to day. If the person you are caring for is coming with you, ask what would make the appointment easier for them.
Finding practices near Ballarat
The finder below shows legal practices near Ballarat, drawn from Google Maps. A listing there is not a recommendation by 18December. It is a starting point. Estate law differs between states and territories, so it helps to choose a practice that works in Victoria.
Our guides go deeper on wills, powers of attorney and probate.
Estate solicitors: what they do and when to see one · Making a will · Probate: what it is and how it works