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Deceased Estate Administration Victoria

When we are appointed as the executor in your will, we take on the legal responsibility for your estate.

Professional Deceased Estate Administration Services

Deceased estate administration is the legal process of managing someone’s assets and debts after they die. The process follows a legal will if it is in place. If there is no will, the assets and debts are deemed to be ‘intestate’, in which case the process is governed by Victorian law. If you appoint State Trustees as the executor of your will, we take on the legal responsibility of your deceased estate administration. Our executor responsibilities include:
  • Communicating with family and beneficiaries

  • Arranging your funeral and burial 

  • Applying for the death certificate 

  • Applying for probate 

  • Handling bills and debts

  • Preparing tax returns

  • Handling superannuation and life insurance

  • Property maintenance 

  • Resolving estate disputes 

  • Distributing gifts and assets 

  • Probate support

As Victoria’s leading provider of deceased estate administration, State Trustees takes the pressure off your loved ones at a difficult time. Our experience can also help you to get the best possible outcomes.

Benefits of choosing State Trustees estate management

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Stability and reliability

Hundreds of thousands of Victorians have relied on us for more than 80 years.

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Expertise and experience

You can be confident you’re being guided by a team of experts who administer thousands of estates each year.

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Convenience

We provide in-house support with a range of specialist services like taxation, trusts, genealogy, property, legal services and more.

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Safe and secure

We identify and reduce potential legal and financial risks to safeguard your estate.

Peace of mind

We remove stress and burden from loved ones so you can have complete confidence your affairs are in good order.

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Government backed

We’re backed by the Victorian Government and accountable to the people of Victoria.

Deceased Estates brochure

Information about nominating State Trustees as the executor of your estate.

Estate executor services – how we can assist you

If you’ve been appointed as executor in a person’s will or are the next of kin to an estate and need will executor assistance, we can help. Our experts can provide inheritance management support, help you obtain a grant of probate or letters of administration, as well as assist with taxation and genealogy. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support you in administering your loved one’s estate settlement.

Executor Assist information

Do you need to understand how to manage a deceased estate in Victoria, including obtaining probate or letters of administration? State Trustees can provide invaluable information. Contact us today.

Dying without a will

Dying without a will is known as dying intestate. If you or a loved one passes away without a valid will and there are no family members to assist, the law requires us to act as executor. Contact us if someone close to you has died without a will and you need professional advice.

Why Choose State Trustees Deceased Administration Services?

  • We’re a Victorian Government-backed company providing deceased estate financial management and legal services to all Victorians.
  • We’ve been servicing Victorians since 1940.
  • We genuinely listen to your needs.
  • We’ve helped tens of thousands of Victorians with our comprehensive expertise across many specialist areas.

 

Our professionals are here to support you through important life moments with expert financial and legal advice.

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“I had an excellent experience with State Trustees. The entire process of administering my late uncle’s estate was handled professionally, transparently, and with great care.”

– Ljubica K.

Fee summary

Whether you create your will on your own, with a lawyer, or with State Trustees, there’s no fee to appoint us as your Executor. Fees only apply if our experts help you prepare your will. The fees for your will estate management are paid from your estate when you pass away.

Further information

Guide

How to be an executor of a will

Read more
Guide

The role of an executor of a will

Read more
Guide

Top considerations for executors

Read more

Frequently asked questions

What is the role of an executor?

An executor is responsible for making sure the person’s final wishes are carried out. This can include (but not limited to) notifying beneficiaries, managing debts, arranging for pets to be looked after or mail redirected, insuring estate assets, attending to any business interests, managing legal risks, lodging tax and selling assets. For a full list, see our executor checklist.

What is deceased estate administration?

Also known as ‘estate administration’, this is the process of managing and distributing someone’s assets after they die. The person who manages this process is typically called the executor (if they’ve been named in the will), or the administration (if there is no will and the court has appointed them).

What documents are required for estate management?

The documents you need to manage a deceased estate in Victoria include:

  • Certified copy of the Death Certificate (or a grant of probate or letter of administration)
  • Certified copy of the Will
  • Certified copies of either a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration

Do your professional estate administration services include advising on complex estates?

Yes, whether your needs are complicated or simple, State Trustees can assist.

Related services

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State Trustees Limited operates on the lands of Traditional Custodians. We acknowledge their history, culture and Elders past, present and emerging. State Trustees is committed to cultivating inclusive environments for staff and clients. We celebrate and value people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures and abilities.

Original artwork ‘Four Sisters Coming Together’ by Melissa Bell 2023