Executor of your will
You can choose us as the executor of your will, ensuring professional and compassionate administration of your deceased estate.
Expert Help With Estate Administration
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Deliver specialist administration services
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Assume legal responsibility for your estate
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Securely handle asset management and distribution
What is an executor?
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Relieve the burden from loved ones
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Manage disputes and reduce the risk of legal conflict
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Use our in-house team of experts
Our professional estate management services
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Communicating with family and beneficiaries
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Arranging your funeral and burial
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Applying for the death certificate
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Applying for probate
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Handling bills and debts
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Preparing tax returns
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Handling superannuation and life insurance
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Property maintenance
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Resolving estate disputes
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Distributing gifts and assets
Executor Services brochure
Information about State Trustees as the executor of your estate.
Why use our executor services
As Victoria’s only state government-backed and leading provider of deceased estate administration, we take the pressure off your loved ones at a difficult time. Our experience gained over 80 years in service can also help you to get the best possible outcomes.
Stability and reliability
Hundreds of thousands of Victorians have relied on us for more than 80 years.
Expertise and experience
You can be confident you’re being guided by a team of experts who administer thousands of estates each year.
Convenience
We provide in-house support with a range of specialist services like taxation, trusts, genealogy, property, legal services and more.
Safe and secure
We identify and reduce potential legal and financial risks to safeguard your estate.
Peace of mind
You’ll have complete confidence your affairs are in good order and we’ll relieve the stress and burden from your loved ones.
Government backed
We’re backed by the Victorian Government and accountable to the people of Victoria.
Prepare your will
Unless you make it official, it won’t happen. Nominate an executor in your will today.
State Trustees executor services fee summary
Free resources for executors of a will
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.
Do I need a grant of probate?
A grant of probate is the Court’s official recognition that a will and its executors are legally valid. It is not always required and depends on the size and complexity of the will. Contact State Trustees Victoria for information specific to you.
Who can be the executor of a will in Victoria?
Anyone who is over the age of 18 and is of sound mind can be an executor of a will in Victoria. Your executor could be a family member, friend, lawyer, or a trustee company like State Trustees. Acting as an executor can be a demanding role. It’s essential that you appoint someone you can trust to take on the financial and legal obligations of an executor.
Do I need a professional executor for my estate?
When you appoint an executor in Victoria, the most important thing to consider is whether that person can handle the job. You may want to choose a personal executor if you have a simple estate with few assets and no expected disputes. However, if your estate is particularly complex, liable to family disputes, or you’re unable to find a trusted person to take on the role, a professional executor may be best.
How much do executor services cost in Australia?
Fees for professional executor services in Australia are deducted from your estate when you pass away. State Trustees’ executor services calculate Capital Commission as a percentage of the estate’s value plus a fixed fee for estates over $500,000.
Estate planning support can also include fees for transferring jointly owned assets, assisting with survivorship applications, intestate administration, and genealogy services. For a complete overview, see our Deceased Estate Administration fees and charges.
What happens if I don’t have an executor?
If you don’t have a will when you pass away, you’re said to have died ‘intestate’. In this scenario, a court-appointed administrator will follow the law to determine who shares in the estate. The administrator will ensure all debts are cleared and tax is finalised before distributing estate assets between beneficiaries.
What’s the difference between a trustee vs executor?
An executor for a deceased’s estate manages all aspects of the estate as set out in the will. A trustee, on the other hand, is only needed if the will specifies a trust or trusts. A trustee’s duties are still outlined by the will but are specific to managing and preserving trust property until it is dissolved or the assets are distributed.
Original artwork ‘Four Sisters Coming Together’ by Melissa Bell 2023