Small estates optional service

A small estate is when a person’s assets at the time of death is below a set amount. 

Right now, the limit is $133,090 (for deaths between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026).

The amount changes each financial year.  Here are the limits for recent years: 

A small estate application is when you choose to use the small estates optional service to help prepare your application for a grant of representation.

You can use this service if:

• the estate is under the small estate limit,
• the application is simple, and
• you are either the executor named in the will or the next of kin (if there is no will).

There are no other strict eligibility rules, but the estate must be small and the application must be simple.

After you send the form, the Probate Office will let you know if they can assist.

Please note:
The Probate Office cannot give advice about how to manage the estate, deal with disputes, or what to do with government departments.  

The small estates optional service is only for very simple applications.  Some situations need extra documents or legal advice, and the Probate Office cannot help with preparing those.

You may still be able to apply yourself using RedCrest-Probate, but the service cannot assist if:

• The person applying is an unregistered domestic partner and there is no will.
• The executor and sole beneficiary is not mentally capable.
• An affidavit confirming the deceased had capacity is needed.
• The person applying is acting under a power of attorney.
• The executor cannot be found.
• The original will (or codicil if there is one) is missing.
• Someone other than the next of kin is applying and there is no will.
• Minor children are entitled to the estate and there is no executor or no will.
• The will was not witnessed by at least two people.
• The applicant is not sure whether the beneficiaries are alive, over 18, or able to manage their own affairs (when there is no will). 
• The Registrar decides the application should be handled by the court or a lawyer.

We understand these situations can be complex and sometimes emotional.  The small estates optional service is available for very simple applications only, and unfortunately, we're not able to help with applications that need extra legal documents or advice.  

No. Using the small estates optional service is your choice.

Even if the estate is under the small estate limit, you can prepare and lodge an application yourself using RedCrest-Probate.

There is a step-by-step guide available to help you understand how to prepare and submit your application.  

If you use the small estates optional service, you pay:

If you prepare the application yourself, you only pay the $37 advertisement fee.

Step 1: Do you need a grant?

Not every estate needs a grant from the Court. Sometimes, you can manage things informally.

Find out if you need a grant.

There are different types of grants depending on the situation.

Answer a few questions to find out which type you need.

Before you start your application, it’s helpful to collect all the important documents and details. This will make the process smoother and help you feel more prepared.

You may need:

• the original will and any codicils (if there are any)
• the death certificate – cause of death
• a list of the person’s assets and debts (like bank accounts, property, or loans)
• contact details for anyone named in the will.

You don’t need to have everything perfect right away. Just start with what you have, and you can come back to this step if you need more time.

Once you know what type of grant you need, you must fill out the correct small estates application form and credit card authorisation form.  

Choose the right form based on your situation:

• Grant of probate
  Use this if the person left a valid will and you are the executor named in the will or codicil (if there are any).
• Letters of administration (with the will annexed)
  Use this if there is a valid will, but the executor cannot or will not apply.
• Letters of administration (no will)
  Use this if the person did not leave a valid will.

If you need us to provide a paper copy of the forms for you to complete, please phone us on (03) 8600 2006 and we can send them to you via post.  

After completing the forms:

• Email the forms, a certified copy of the death certificate - cause of death, and a copy of the will and codicil(s) (if there are any) to: fznyyrfgngrf@fhcpbheg.ivp.tbi.nhua.vog.civ.truocpus@setatsellams , or
• Post the forms, a certified copy of the death certificate - cause of death, and the original will and codicil(s) (if there are any) to:
  Registrar of Probates
  Supreme Court of Victoria
  PO Box 13331
  Law Courts VIC 8010

After you send your completed forms, someone from the Probate Office will call you to talk about your application.

During the call, they will:

• Let you know if the small estates optional service can help with your application.
• Take payment for the advertisement and small estate service fee using your credit card.
• Ask how you would like to sign your affidavit:
  • You can attend an appointment at the Probate Office, or
  • You can ask for the affidavit to be sent to your by email or post.

The Probate Office will then:

• Place the advertisement for your application.
• Prepare your affidavit (a legal document that supports your application).

Once the Probate Office prepares your affidavit, you will need to sign it in front of an authorised witness. 

You can choose how to do this:

• Attend an appointment at the Probate Office, and they will witness your signature there.
• Or, ask for the affidavit to be sent to you by email or post, along with instructions on:
  • How to sign it correctly.
  • Who is allowed to witness your signature.

After you sign the affidavit in front of an authorised witness, you need to send it back to the Probate Office.

If there is a will, you must also send the original will and any original codicil (if there are any).

You can return the documents in one of the following ways:

• Scan and email the signed affidavit to: fznyyrfgngrf@fhcpbheg.ivp.tbi.nhua.vog.civ.truocpus@setatsellams (make sure the scanned copy is clear and includes all pages).
• Post the signed affidavit and original will (if there is one) to:
  Registrar of Probates 
  Supreme Court of Victoria
  PO Box 13331
  Law Courts VIC 8010
• In person (if you attended an appointment at the Probate Office).

Once the Probate Office receives your signed affidavit and the original will and codicils (if there are any), they will process your application.

You will then be sent an electronic grant of probate or administration.

• If you have an email address, the grant will be emailed to you.
• If you do not have email, a copy will be sent to you by post.

You will need this grant to give to banks or other asset holders so you can manage the estate.

Once you have received the grant, you are legally authorised to manage the estate of the person who has died.

This means you can:

• contact banks, share registries, and other organisations that hold assets
• provide them with the grant and any other documents they request
• collect and manage the assets
• pay any outstanding debts
• distribute what remains according to the will (if there is one), or according to the law (if there isn’t).

Sharing the grant with asset holders:

A copy of the grant will be provided to you and can be viewed on RedCrest-Probate. To allow asset holders to view it you will need to give them:

• the application number
• the unique identifier (both are shown on the grant).

The Court can't give these details.

Please note:

The Probate Office’s role ends once the grant is issued. We cannot assist with administering the estate, but you may wish to seek legal or financial advice if you’re unsure about your responsibilities.