Wills & Estate Planning in Perth Metropolitan
Wills and estate planning covers more than drafting a will. A solicitor in this area typically handles wills, enduring powers of attorney, enduring powers of guardianship, testamentary trusts, superannuation death benefit nominations, and advice on structuring an estate to reduce the risk of disputes after death. Many firms also act in probate and letters of administration once someone has died, and a growing number handle contested estates and Family Provision Act claims in the WA Supreme Court.
Perth has 61 firms listed in this category, ranging from suburban general practices that draft straightforward wills to specialist estate litigation practices that only take on contested matters. The right choice depends on what you actually need. A single person with a modest estate and no dependants has very different requirements from a blended family with a business, an SMSF, and adult children from a previous relationship.
When comparing firms, look for clear upfront pricing (fixed fee for standard wills, hourly rates disclosed for complex or contested work), a solicitor who asks about your family situation rather than just filling in a template, and experience with the specific issue you're facing, whether that's a family trust, a disputed estate, or providing for a beneficiary with a disability. Ask how the firm handles updates if your circumstances change, and whether they store the original documents securely.
Our ranking weighs client feedback, responsiveness, depth of experience in this specific practice area, and transparency around fees. See the full breakdown of factors on our methodology page, or go straight to the ranked list of Perth wills and estate planning lawyers to compare firms side by side.
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All wills & estate planning, ranked by score and relevance
We found 61 businesses offering wills & estate planning; 27 met the criteria for the scored directory. The order weighs each business's overall score by how much of its reviewed work is wills & estate planning, so a lower-scored specialist can rank above a higher-scored generalist. Filter and sort below, or open the full map view.
Enquiries submitted through our forms may be shared with partner providers who can carry out the work. We may receive referral fees for these introductions, but our rankings and scores are based solely on our published method and are never influenced by referral fees.
Common questions about wills & estate planning
- How much does a will cost in Perth?
- A simple single will from a suburban firm is often a few hundred dollars on a fixed fee basis. Mirror wills for couples, or wills involving testamentary trusts, blended families, or business succession, cost more and are usually quoted after an initial consultation once the solicitor understands the complexity involved. Estate litigation or contested probate work is typically billed hourly and can run much higher.
- How often should a will be reviewed or updated?
- As a general rule, review your will every three to five years or after any major life event: marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a significant change in assets, or the death of an executor or beneficiary named in the document. In WA, marriage does not automatically revoke a will, but divorce can affect gifts to a former spouse, so it pays to update the document rather than assume it still reflects your wishes.
- What should I expect at a first meeting with an estate planning lawyer?
- Expect to be asked about your assets, debts, family structure, and who you want to appoint as executor, and as attorney or guardian if you're also setting up powers of attorney. A good lawyer will also ask about superannuation and any binding death benefit nominations, since super often falls outside the will. The meeting should end with a clear next step and a fee estimate in writing.
- How can I tell if an estate lawyer is any good?
- Look for a track record specifically in wills and estates rather than a general practice that does this as a sideline, clear written fee agreements, and a willingness to explain trade-offs (for example, why a testamentary trust might suit your situation) rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all document. Client reviews mentioning responsiveness and clear communication are a reasonable proxy for service quality, which is part of what we weigh in our rankings.
Guides to choosing wills & estate planning
- Making a valid will in WA: the legal requirements
What actually makes a will legally valid in Western Australia, the common mistakes that cause problems later, and when a DIY will kit falls short.
- Helping an aging parent with a will and power of attorney in Perth
A practical, non-confrontational way to raise wills and powers of attorney with an aging parent, and what documents actually need sorting out.
- Probate and estate administration after a death in WA
A practical guide to what probate actually involves in WA, when it's needed, and the general order administering an estate tends to follow.