Our Executor Services

When someone writes their will, they have to choose an executor. The executor is then responsible for administering the person’s estate when they die.

The estate includes all the person’s assets and liabilities. Their assets are their property and belongings that have value, such as a house, car, shares and investments. A person’s liabilities consist of any money they may owe, such as a mortgage or a loan.

Executors often have to make some tough decisions. It helps if you have some experience in finance, business or law.

Read more about what an executor does.

I would like State Trustees to help

As Victoria’s leading estate administrator, we can help executors in two main ways. We can:

• take on the executor role and manage the estate for you
• complete specific tasks for you – like applying for probate.

We are always impartial and work in the best interests of the estate at all times.

Deceased Estate Administration

We can manage the administration of a person’s estate from beginning to end. We can provide this service when:

• a person chooses us as the executor in their will
• an executor asks us to take over their role and manage the administration for them (you need to do this before you have a grant of probate)
• if none of the executors in the will are able or want to take on the role, whoever is most entitled to the estate can ask us to administer the estate (this can be a family member, charity or friend)
• when someone has died without a will.

If you’ve been appointed as executor but you don’t think you have the time or skills, or you are finding the role stressful, this service might be for you.

What we do

When we are appointed as an executor, we take on full legal responsibility and liability for the estate including:

• arranging the funeral and burial
• applying for the death certificate
• applying for a grant of probate
• identifying and managing assets
• preparing tax returns
• finding beneficiaries
• distributing the estate to beneficiaries
• dealing with superannuation and life insurance policies
• managing any conflict

This service can take the pressure off you at a difficult time. Our experience can also help you to get the best possible outcome.

We always act impartially and focus on the wishes of the person who has died.

What it costs

We charge our fees for estate administration to the estate.

You can read more in our guide to fees and charges.

Executor Assist

We can help you as an executor with some of the more complex tasks you need to do.

It can be an honour when someone close to you appoints you as an executor in their will. However, it can also be a huge responsibility at a time when you are grieving.

What we do

If you want to stay on as executor but need some help, we can do a range of tasks for you including:

• applying for a grant of probate
• preparing tax returns and providing tax advice
• some legal services relating to the estate, such as conveyancing
• administration services, including selling and distributing assets
• genealogy services to find any family members who have been left things in the will.

You can use this service at any time during the estate administration. If you use this service, you will still have the legal responsibility for the estate.

For more information about the role of an executor and the tasks you need to do, download our executor checklist.

What it costs

We charge our fees for estate administration to the estate.

You can read more in our guide to fees and charges.

How we can help when there is no will

Where there is no will, we may be asked to administer an intestate estate (an estate with no will) or help the person who is most entitled to the estate to carry out tasks for them.

We have been administering deceased estates for decades, so we’re experts in dealing with different types of estates. Our professional staff provide unbiased service and trusted, individual care.

Every situation is unique and expert help can make a real difference.

Read more about what happens when there is no will.

Contact us for obligation-free advice about how we can help you. Call 1300 138 672.