Wills & Estate Planning in Perth Metropolitan
Wills and estate planning covers a lot more than drafting a will. Lawyers in this category handle wills, powers of attorney, enduring guardianship documents, testamentary trusts, superannuation death benefit nominations, and advice on structuring assets to reduce disputes or tax exposure after death. Many also act on the other side of the process: contesting a will, defending an estate against a claim, or applying for probate and letters of administration when someone dies without clear instructions. We've listed 87 firms across Perth Metropolitan that offer some or all of this work, from suburban solo practitioners to larger firms with dedicated succession law teams.
Because a will only gets tested once you're not around to fix mistakes in it, the quality of drafting matters more here than in most legal work. Look for a lawyer who asks about your family situation in detail (blended families, dependents with special needs, business assets, overseas property) rather than working from a generic template. Ask how they handle updates as your circumstances change, whether they store the original document securely, and what their fee structure looks like for a straightforward will versus a more complex estate plan with trusts.
Our ranking at the best wills and estate planning lawyers in Perth Metropolitan weighs experience, client feedback, and responsiveness to work out which firms consistently deliver solid outcomes. The full scoring approach is explained on our methodology page.
Request a consultation for wills & estate planning
Describe what you need and we'll connect you with suitable lawyers in your area. No obligation.
All wills & estate planning, ranked by score and relevance
We found 87 businesses offering wills & estate planning; 29 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 contact forms may be shared with partner providers to carry out the work, and we may receive a referral fee for those introductions. Our rankings and scores are based solely on our published method and are never affected by referral fees.
Common questions about wills & estate planning
- How much does a basic will cost in Perth?
- A simple, single will from a suburban firm typically runs from a few hundred dollars up to around $800 to $1,000, depending on complexity. A mirror will package for a couple is usually cheaper per person than two separate appointments. More complex estate plans involving testamentary trusts or business succession clauses cost significantly more, often into the thousands, because they require tailored drafting and advice.
- How often should I update my will?
- Review it 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. Even without a specific trigger, it's worth checking your will every few years to confirm it still reflects your wishes and that named executors and guardians are still appropriate.
- What should I expect at a first appointment with an estate planning lawyer?
- Expect questions about your family structure, assets and debts, who you want to benefit, who should act as executor, and any specific wishes around guardianship of children or care of dependents. A thorough lawyer will also raise powers of attorney and enduring guardianship at the same time, since these cover decisions made while you're alive but unable to act for yourself.
- How can I tell if a wills and estate planning lawyer is any good?
- Look for clear, plain-English explanations rather than jargon, a willingness to flag potential family disputes before they arise, and transparency about costs upfront. Client reviews that mention follow-through on updates and clear communication during probate or contested matters are a good sign, since those situations reveal how a firm handles pressure, not just paperwork.
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.