Application for a Grant of Probate

To make an application for a Grant of Probate, you must ensure that you are named as the executor in the Will and only if the original will is available and we set out below the number of steps involved in an application for a Grant of Probate:

• Place a notice in a newspaper in the local area where the deceased lived or a Sydney daily newspaper if there is no local newspaper. This notice is called a Notice of Intended Application for Probate (or Form 9).
• The purpose of this notice is to inform any person who has claims over the estate (eg, a person to whom the deceased owed money) to come forward and notify you so that they can be included in the probate application. Once the notice is published, you have to wait 14 days before to file the application for a Grant of Probate.
• You must know the complete financial details of the estate. To do this, we suggest that you send letters to the deceased’s bank and other financial institution (including superannuation funds) of the deceased and inform them that the person has passed away. In your letter, you must include a certified copy of the death certificate, a certified copy of your identification and the Will.
• The financial institution may inform you the funds available or if there is any amount owing, the debt that is required to be paid back. If there is any debt that needs to be paid immediately, you may ask the financial institution if it is willing to wait the debt or if not if it can be paid out of the estate (after probate is granted).
• 14 days after the Notice of Intended Application was published in the newspaper you can apply for a Grant of Probate. To complete your application you must file the original plus two copies of the following:
  • Summons for Probate (Form 111 UCPR);
  • Draft grant (Form 112 UCPR)
  • Affidavit of executor (Form 97 SCR).
    In the affidavit, you must attach the following documents:
    • The original will;
    • The original Death Certificate;
    • The tear sheet (or clipping) from the newspaper of the Notice of Intended Application;
    • Inventory of assets (Form 96 SCR);
    • Certified copy of the executor’s driver licence or other form of identification; and
    • If the primary or joint executor is not willing or not able to act, a Form 94 SCR – renunciation of executor.
  • A stamped self-addressed envelope; and
  • Payment of the relevant court fee. (you may check the appropriate filing fee from the supreme court website). The fee can be paid by bank cheque, money order or credit/debit card in person).
• If all your documents are in order, the grant will be made and be returned in the stamped self-addressed envelope that you provided. It usually take around 5 working days if the grant can be made. However, if the court finds any problems with the application and require any changes or further documentations, the court will send you a Probate Requisition Sheet that sets out the deficiencies. You will need to comply with the requisition before the court can make a decision to grant the probate.