This comprehensive guide covers lawyer will costs in Australia with state-by-state pricing, what's included at each price point, hidden fees to watch for, and when professional legal advice is worth the investment.
Quick Answer
Lawyer will costs in Australia range from $300-600 for simple wills to $1,500-3,000+ for complex estates, with the average Australian paying $400-800 for a standard lawyer-prepared will.
- Complexity drives price: Simple wills cost $300-600, standard wills $600-1,200, and complex estates with testamentary trusts $2,000-5,000+.
- Location matters: Sydney and Melbourne lawyers typically charge 20-30% more than regional practitioners.
- Always get a fixed fee in writing: Hourly rates ($250-500/hour) can spiral, and watch for hidden storage, revision and execution charges.
- Online value: For straightforward estates, guided online services ($100-250) offer excellent value with built-in error checking.
Lawyer Will Costs: Quick Reference
Key point
Complexity is the biggest driver of cost: simple wills run $300-600, standard wills $600-1,200, and complex estates with testamentary trusts $2,000-5,000+.
2025 Price Ranges by Complexity
| Will Type | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Will | $300-600 | Single person, straightforward assets, few beneficiaries |
| Standard Will | $600-1,200 | Families, moderate assets, some specific bequests |
| Complex Will | $1,200-2,500 | Trusts, business interests, multiple beneficiaries |
| Complex with Testamentary Trusts | $2,000-5,000+ | Tax planning, special needs, asset protection |
| Mirror Wills (couples) | $500-1,200 | Married/de facto couples with identical wishes |
| Estate Planning Package | $800-2,000 | Will + Powers of Attorney + Guardianship |
State-by-State Lawyer Will Pricing
Costs vary significantly by location. Here's what to expect in each state:
New South Wales
| Service | Sydney CBD | Sydney Suburbs | Regional NSW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Will | $400-700 | $350-550 | $300-450 |
| Standard Will | $700-1,200 | $550-900 | $450-750 |
| Complex Will | $1,200-3,000 | $900-2,000 | $700-1,500 |
| Mirror Wills | $600-1,200 | $500-900 | $400-750 |
NSW Notes: Sydney CBD firms charge premium rates but often have estate planning specialists. Consider suburban or regional lawyers for routine wills, many offer video consultations.
Victoria
| Service | Melbourne CBD | Melbourne Suburbs | Regional VIC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Will | $400-650 | $300-500 | $250-400 |
| Standard Will | $650-1,100 | $500-850 | $400-700 |
| Complex Will | $1,100-2,500 | $850-1,800 | $700-1,400 |
| Mirror Wills | $550-1,000 | $450-800 | $350-650 |
VIC Notes: State Trustees Victoria offers free will preparation if they're appointed executor, but charges fees upon death (up to 5.5% of estate value). Calculate lifetime vs death costs carefully.
Queensland
| Service | Brisbane/Gold Coast | Regional QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Will | $350-550 | $250-400 |
| Standard Will | $550-950 | $400-700 |
| Complex Will | $950-2,200 | $700-1,500 |
| Mirror Wills | $500-900 | $350-650 |
QLD Notes: Queensland lawyers must provide written cost disclosure before accepting instructions. Request itemized quotes and compare at least three firms.
Other States & Territories
| State | Simple Will | Standard Will | Complex Will |
|---|---|---|---|
| SA | $250-450 | $450-850 | $850-2,000 |
| WA | $300-500 | $500-900 | $900-2,200 |
| TAS | $250-400 | $400-750 | $750-1,800 |
| ACT | $350-550 | $550-950 | $950-2,300 |
| NT | $300-500 | $500-900 | $900-2,000 |
What's Included at Each Price Point
Simple Will ($300-600)
Typically includes:
- Initial consultation (20-30 minutes, often by phone)
- Basic will drafting (residuary gift, 1-2 beneficiaries)
- One round of minor revisions
- Execution ceremony (witnessing)
- One certified copy
Usually excludes:
- Powers of Attorney (additional $150-300 each)
- Multiple consultations
- Complex specific gifts
- Trust provisions
- Will storage
Best for: Single individuals, young people with minimal assets, or anyone with simple "everything to my spouse/children" wishes.
Standard Will ($600-1,200)
Typically includes:
- Comprehensive consultation (45-60 minutes, in-person or video)
- Detailed will with specific gifts and backup beneficiaries
- Appointment of guardians for minor children
- Two rounds of revisions
- Execution ceremony and two certified copies
- Basic will storage (often 1-2 years included)
May include (varies by firm):
- Simple life interest provisions
- Backup executors
- Gift of specific assets (property, vehicles)
- Charitable bequests
Best for: Families with children, moderate assets, or anyone wanting comprehensive coverage without complex structures.
Complex Will ($1,200-2,500)
Typically includes:
- Extended consultation (60-90 minutes or multiple sessions)
- Complex will with trusts, conditions, or business provisions
- Unlimited revisions during initial drafting
- Execution ceremony and multiple certified copies
- Will storage (often 5+ years)
- Letter of wishes guidance
Commonly includes:
- Testamentary discretionary trusts (for tax/asset protection)
- Life interests with remainder gifts
- Business succession provisions
- Superannuation binding death benefit nominations
- Property-specific clauses
Best for: Business owners, blended families, estates over $1 million, or situations with family provision claim risk.
Estate Planning Package ($800-2,000)
Typically includes:
- Will (simple to standard complexity)
- Enduring Power of Attorney (financial decisions)
- Enduring Guardian/Medical Power of Attorney
- Consultation covering all documents
- Execution and storage
Value calculation: Individual pricing would typically be:
- Will: $400-800
- Power of Attorney: $200-400
- Enduring Guardian: $150-300
- Total individual: $750-1,500
Package saving: 20-30% off individual pricing
Hidden Costs and Fees to Watch For
Before You Sign: Questions to Ask
- Is this a fixed fee? Get it in writing
- What's included? Consultation, revisions, execution, copies
- What costs extra? Storage, future changes, document retrieval
- Hourly rate if exceeded? What happens if your will becomes more complex
Common Additional Charges
| Hidden Cost | Typical Range | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Excess consultation time | $250-500/hour | Set clear agenda, prepare documents beforehand |
| Additional revisions | $100-300 each | Get all decisions finalized before first draft |
| Execution fee | $50-150 | Confirm it's included in quote |
| Will storage | $50-200/year | Ask about free storage periods |
| Document retrieval | $50-100 | Keep your own certified copy |
| Disbursements | $20-100 | Copies, postage, searches |
| Travel fees | $100-300 | Use video consultation instead |
Red Flags
⚠️ Hourly billing without caps, Costs can spiral unpredictably ⚠️ "Executor appointment" fees, Some firms charge extra to be named executor, then charge estate fees upon death ⚠️ "Review and update" subscriptions, Often unnecessary; most wills need updating every 5-10 years ⚠️ Bundled services you don't need, Don't pay for business succession planning if you don't have a business
Public Trustee vs Private Lawyer
Key point
"Free" Public Trustee will preparation is rarely free in the long run: on a $800,000 estate, percentage executor fees can reach around $35,000 versus an $800 one-time private lawyer will.
Each Australian state has a Public Trustee (or equivalent) offering will services. Here's how they compare:
Public Trustee Will Services by State
| State | Will Preparation Cost | Executor Fee (on death) |
|---|---|---|
| NSW Trustee & Guardian | Free if appointed executor | 1.65-4.4% of estate value |
| State Trustees VIC | Free-$200 | Up to 5.5% + GST |
| Public Trustee QLD | $0-150 | 4.4% + additional fees |
| Public Trustee SA | Free if appointed executor | Up to 5% |
| Public Trustee WA | Free if appointed executor | Up to 5.5% |
| Public Trustee TAS | Free-$100 | Commission rates apply |
When Public Trustee Makes Sense
✅ Very simple estates (single beneficiary) ✅ No family member able/willing to be executor ✅ Estates under $200,000 (where percentage fees are manageable) ✅ Need for impartial professional executor
When Private Lawyer Is Better
✅ Estates over $500,000 (percentage fees become expensive) ✅ Family member willing to be executor (no ongoing fees) ✅ Complex family situations needing personalized advice ✅ Testamentary trusts or business succession ✅ Potential for disputes (specialist advice valuable)
Cost Comparison Example
$800,000 Estate:
- Private lawyer will: $800 one-time
- Private executor (family): $0 ongoing
- Total: $800
vs.
- Public Trustee will: Free
- Public Trustee executor fees: ~$35,000 (4.4% average)
- Total: $35,000
Key Insight: "Free" will preparation from Public Trustees is rarely free in the long run for moderate-to-large estates.
When Is a Lawyer Worth the Cost?
Definitely Worth It
| Situation | Why Lawyer Adds Value | Typical Saving/Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Blended family | Proper structuring avoids disputes | $20,000-100,000+ in litigation |
| Business interests | Succession planning, tax optimization | Hundreds of thousands in tax |
| Disabled beneficiary | Special Disability Trust, Centrelink protection | Preserve pension entitlements |
| Family provision risk | Proper documentation of reasons | Defense costs + settlement |
| International assets | Cross-border coordination | Avoid double probate |
| Testamentary trust | Tax minimization for decades | $5,000-50,000+ per year |
Probably Not Worth It
| Situation | Better Alternative | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Single, young, minimal assets | Guided online service ($100-200) | Complexity doesn't justify cost |
| Everything to spouse/children | Guided online service | Standard provisions sufficient |
| No business, no trusts | Online will with legal review | Built-in error checking adequate |
| "Just want something done" | Any valid will is better than none | Start with online, upgrade later |
Cost Comparison: All Options
Comprehensive Price Comparison (2025)
| Option | Upfront Cost | Ongoing Costs | Error Risk | Advice Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIY Will Kit | $20-50 | $0 | HIGH | None |
| Online Template | $0-50 | $0 | HIGH | None |
| Guided Online Service | $100-250 | $0-50/year optional | LOW | Built-in guidance |
| Online + Lawyer Review | $250-450 | $0 | VERY LOW | Review only |
| Lawyer (simple) | $300-600 | $0-200/year storage | VERY LOW | Full |
| Lawyer (standard) | $600-1,200 | $0-200/year storage | VERY LOW | Full |
| Lawyer (complex) | $1,200-5,000 | $0-200/year storage | VERY LOW | Full |
| Public Trustee | $0-200 | 1-5.5% on death | LOW | Limited |
Value Assessment
Best value for simple estates: Guided online service ($100-250)
- Built-in error checking catches 95%+ of common mistakes
- State-specific compliance handled automatically
- Legal review included with premium options
Best value for complex estates: Specialist estate planning lawyer
- Upfront investment prevents costly mistakes
- Tax planning can save multiples of the fee
- Peace of mind for family disputes
How to Find a Good Estate Planning Lawyer
Where to Look
- Law Society Referral Services
- Specialist Accreditations
- Look for "Accredited Specialist in Wills & Estates"
- Check STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) membership
- Questions to Ask
- "What percentage of your work is wills and estates?"
- "How many wills have you prepared?"
- "Do you offer fixed fees?"
- "What's included in your quote?"
Red Flags to Avoid
❌ Refuses to provide fixed fee quote ❌ Pushes expensive options for simple situations ❌ Can't explain why specific provisions are needed ❌ Pressures you to use their firm as executor ❌ No clear cost disclosure before starting
Legislation and Official Resources
Will-making in Australia is governed by each state and territory's own succession legislation. The core statutes include:
- New South Wales: Succession Act 2006 (NSW)
- Victoria: Wills Act 1997 (Vic)
- Queensland: Succession Act 1981 (Qld)
- South Australia: Succession Act 2023 (SA)
- Western Australia: Wills Act 1970 (WA)
- Tasmania: Wills Act 2008 (Tas)
- Australian Capital Territory: Wills Act 1968 (ACT)
- Northern Territory: Wills Act 2000 (NT)
Because requirements differ between states and are amended over time, always confirm the current rules for your state, or seek advice from a qualified legal professional.
Next Steps
A properly prepared will doesn't have to break the bank. Match your choice to your situation:
- Simple situation? Start with a guided online service
- Moderate complexity? Online service with lawyer review
- Complex estate? Invest in specialist legal advice
Related Articles:
- Will Kits Australia, DIY options compared
- Online Wills vs Lawyer, Detailed comparison
- How to Make a Will, Complete guide
Ready to create your will? Get started with WillBuddy, our AI-guided platform combines the affordability of online services with the reliability of built-in error checking and legal review.
Last updated: November 2025. Prices are indicative and vary by firm, location, and complexity. Always obtain written quotes before proceeding. This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.
Reviewed and current as at 12 June 2026.
This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Laws change over time and vary between Australian states and territories, so always confirm the current position and consider advice from a qualified legal professional for your specific circumstances.