Probate Timelines in Victoria: How Long Does Probate Take?

When someone passes away, administering their estate can involve several legal and practical steps. One of the most common questions executors and beneficiaries ask is: how long does probate take in Victoria?

There is no single timeframe that applies to every estate. The probate process can take several weeks, while administering and distributing the entire estate can take considerably longer depending on the assets involved, whether further information is required and whether any disputes arise.

Below, we explain the typical probate timelines in Victoria, the steps involved and some of the factors that can cause delays.

What Is Probate in Victoria?

Probate is the process by which the Supreme Court of Victoria formally recognises a deceased person’s Will as their last valid Will and confirms the authority of the executor named in it.

A Grant of Probate allows the executor to deal with estate assets where a grant is required, which can include collecting money held by banks, dealing with investments, paying debts and selling or transferring property. Supreme Court of Victoria

Not every estate requires probate. Whether a grant is needed can depend on the value and type of assets, how they were owned and the requirements of organisations holding those assets. Supreme Court of Victoria

How Long Does Probate Take in Victoria?

For a straightforward application, executors should expect the probate process itself to take at least several weeks from beginning to end.

One reason is that an application cannot be lodged immediately. Before applying, the executor must publish a notice of intention to apply through RedCrest-Probate and wait at least 15 days before lodging the application. Supreme Court of Victoria

The Supreme Court ordinarily publishes a processing timeframe of 5–10 working days for reviewing an application once it has been filed. However, as at October 2026, the Probate Office advises that it is experiencing delays and applications are currently taking longer than this published timeframe. Supreme Court of Victoria

This means executors should avoid relying on the 5–10 working day timeframe when planning around a property transaction, distribution or other deadline.

The Probate Timeline in Victoria: Step by Step

1. Locate the Will and Death Certificate

Before applying for probate, the executor will generally need to locate the deceased person’s original Will and any codicils.

Information about the deceased’s assets and liabilities will also need to be gathered.

The Supreme Court advises that documents and information required for an application can include the original Will and any codicils, a certified copy of the death certificate showing the cause of death, and information about the deceased’s assets and debts. Supreme Court of Victoria

How long this stage takes will depend on how readily available the documents and financial information are.

2. Publish a Notice of Intention to Apply

Before an executor can lodge their probate application, they must publish a notice of their intention to apply through RedCrest-Probate.

The notice must have been published for at least 15 days before the probate application can be lodged. Supreme Court of Victoria

This creates a mandatory waiting period in the Victorian probate process.

3. Prepare the Probate Application

During or following the notice period, the executor can prepare the necessary application documents.

Probate applications in Victoria are handled through RedCrest-Probate. The system assists applicants with preparing the Court documents and identifying what needs to be signed and witnessed. Supreme Court of Victoria

Once the required documents have been completed and witnessed, they can be uploaded and the application submitted.

Where there is an original Will or codicil, the original document must also be provided to the Probate Office. Supreme Court of Victoria

4. Probate Office Review

After the application and required documents have been received, the Probate Office reviews the application.

The Court’s ordinarily published timeframe is 5–10 working days for review after filing. However, this is not a guaranteed timeframe. Supreme Court of Victoria

Importantly, the Supreme Court currently warns that applications are taking longer than the published processing time due to delays at the Probate Office. Supreme Court of Victoria

If everything is in order, the Grant can be issued electronically.

If the Probate Office requires further information, it will contact the applicant, and the Grant cannot be issued until the outstanding issues have been addressed. Supreme Court of Victoria

What Can Delay Probate in Victoria?

Even a relatively straightforward estate can take longer than expected.

Common issues that can extend the probate timeline include:

• difficulty locating the original Will;
• problems with the execution or witnessing of the Will;
• uncertainty about whether a later Will exists;
• errors or missing information in the probate application;
• difficulties identifying estate assets and liabilities;
• discrepancies in names or other documentation;
• the Probate Office requesting further information;
• disputes concerning the Will or estate; and
• caveats or other contested estate proceedings.

Where a Will is challenged, the administration process can become significantly more complicated. Victoria Legal Aid notes that where there is a challenge to a Will, the executor cannot proceed until the matter has been settled by the Supreme Court. Legal Aid Victoria

What Happens Once Probate Is Granted?

Receiving probate does not necessarily mean that beneficiaries will immediately receive their inheritance.

The Grant gives the executor the authority needed to continue administering the estate.

Depending on the estate, the executor may then need to:

• notify banks and other financial institutions;
• collect funds belonging to the estate;
• sell or transfer property;
• deal with shares and investments;
• pay outstanding debts and liabilities;
• attend to taxation matters; and
• distribute the remaining estate in accordance with the Will.

The Supreme Court confirms that, once the Grant has been received, the executor can use it when dealing with banks, share registries and other organisations holding estate assets. Supreme Court of Victoria

How Long Does the Entire Estate Administration Take?

It is important to distinguish between obtaining probate and completing the administration of an estate.

Probate is only one stage.

Even after a Grant has been issued, the executor may need considerable time to collect and realise assets, resolve debts and tax matters, sell property and deal with any claims or complications before the estate can safely be distributed.

A simple estate with readily accessible assets may progress relatively quickly, while an estate involving property sales, overseas assets, taxation issues or disputes can take substantially longer.

For this reason, beneficiaries should not assume that receiving probate means an estate is ready for immediate distribution.

Is There a Deadline to Apply for Probate in Victoria?

Unlike some people may assume, there is no general fixed deadline requiring an executor to apply for probate within a particular number of months after death in Victoria.

However, the Supreme Court states that where more than three years have passed since the date of death, the applicant must explain the delay in their affidavit. Supreme Court of Victoria

Executors should nevertheless deal with estate administration within an appropriate timeframe and obtain advice where there are significant delays.

Can Probate Be Obtained Faster?

There is no guaranteed way to accelerate an ordinary probate application.

However, ensuring that the application is complete and accurate can reduce the risk of avoidable delays caused by the Probate Office requesting further information.

Before applying, it can help to ensure that:

• the original Will and any codicils have been located;
• the death certificate is available;
• estate assets and liabilities have been properly identified;
• the required notice has been published;
• application documents have been correctly completed and witnessed; and
• any unusual circumstances surrounding the Will or estate have been properly addressed.

Where an estate is complex or there are concerns about the application, obtaining legal advice early may help identify issues before the application is submitted.

Do You Need a Lawyer for Probate in Victoria?

Executors can apply for probate themselves through RedCrest-Probate, and the Supreme Court expressly provides an application process for people applying without a lawyer. Supreme Court of Victoria

However, professional assistance can be particularly useful where the estate involves substantial assets, property, unusual Will provisions, missing documents, multiple executors or beneficiaries, or a potential dispute.

A probate lawyer can also assist with the broader administration of the estate after the Grant has been obtained.

Need Help With Probate in Victoria?

Probate timelines in Victoria can vary considerably from one estate to another. While the application itself may be relatively straightforward, mandatory waiting periods, Probate Office processing times and issues with an estate can all affect how long the process takes.

At Estates Now, we assist executors and families with probate and deceased estate matters, helping you understand the process and navigate the legal requirements involved in administering an estate.

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This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate and estate administration timeframes will depend on the circumstances of each estate.