Bereaved Victorian families will face significant increases in probate and letters of administration fees, with the state government announcing substantial hikes to process wills. These changes, effective from 18 December, will see fees rise as much as 650% for certain estate values.
At J MacGregor Legal, we do not agree with these substantial fee increases and the pressure they place on executors, who are already dealing with the difficult task of administering a deceased estate. Our office is committed to easing this burden by continuing to front the fees for estates up to $2 million. For estates exceeding this value, we will assess each situation individually. Our firm is dedicated to doing everything we can to support families through the challenging process of losing a loved one.
Below is a table detailing the changes in probate fees:
| ESTATE VALUE | PREVIOUS FEE | NEW FEE | INCREASE % |
| $250,000 – $500,000 | $68.60 | $514.40 | 650% |
| $500,000 – $1 million | $367.40 | $1,028.80 | 180% |
| $1 million – $2m | $685.90 | $2,400.50 | 250% |
| $2 million – $3m | $1,502.40 | $4,801 | 220% |
| $3 million – $5m | $2,318.90 | $7,185.20 | 210% |
| $5 million – $7m | $2,318.90 | $12,002.60 | 417% |
| $7 million or more | $2,318.90 | $16,803.60 | 625% |
The government justifies these increases by pointing to the disproportionate amount of court time taken up by larger estates, often due to disputes over will validity, unclear property rights, or perceived inequities among beneficiaries. Small estates valued under $250,000 will no longer pay lodging fees, a shift that the government claims will make the system fairer for most Victorians. However, we argue that for grieving families, the increased financial burden at a time of loss is unjustifiable.
If you have any questions about these changes, contact our office via phone, email or in person at 65 Princes Highway, Trafalgar.
