
Applying for letters of administration in Western Australia can be challenging, especially if the deceased did not leave a will. In Western Australia, a Letter of Administration is a court order that confirms that a specific person is acting on behalf of a deceased estate. The application must be lodged with the Probate Office of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, and the applicant must provide several documents, including a motion, an affidavit, and a statement of assets and liabilities. The application process can be complex, and it is recommended to seek legal advice to ensure all requirements are met.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to apply | When the deceased has not left a will |
| Who can apply | Anyone over the age of 18 who is entitled to a share of the estate |
| Who should apply | The married or de facto partner of the deceased (or their next of kin) |
| Where to apply | Probate Office of the Supreme Court of Western Australia |
| Address | 11th Floor of 28 Barrack Street, Perth |
| How to apply | By post, preferably by registered post |
| Documents required | Motion, affidavit, statement of assets and liabilities, will (if applicable), original death certificate, letters of consent (if any) |
| Additional documents | Sureties, guarantees, or Section 17A Deeds (if required) |
| Waiting period | 14 days after death before applying |
| Time for processing | 6-8 weeks from the date the court receives the application |
| Fee | One-off filing fee of $370 |
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What You'll Learn
- Who can apply for Letters of Administration in Western Australia?
- Where to apply for Letters of Administration in Western Australia?
- When to apply for Letters of Administration in Western Australia?
- Documents required for Letters of Administration in Western Australia
- Letters of Administration with Will annexed

Who can apply for Letters of Administration in Western Australia
In Western Australia, a Letter of Administration is a court order that confirms that a specific person is acting on behalf of a deceased estate. The Probate Office of the Supreme Court of Western Australia will only issue a grant for the estate of someone who was domiciled in Western Australia before their death or owned real property in the state.
An application for Letters of Administration is made when a person dies without leaving a will. If the deceased left a will, then the person they chose as their executor can make an application for probate to carry out their final wishes. Letters of Administration with Will Annexed are granted when there is no executor to make an application, i.e., if there is a will but the will-maker didn't appoint an executor, or the executor is deceased, unable, or unwilling to act.
The list of people who can apply for a Letter of Administration in Western Australia is restricted to the potential beneficiaries of the estate, either because of the terms of the will or according to intestacy law. Typically, the court grants a Letter of Administration to the closest relative of the deceased who volunteers to take on the role, usually the spouse, de facto partner, or adult child of the deceased. If the deceased didn't have a spouse or child, their parents or siblings can apply. If none of these people exist, another extended family member can apply.
The person appointed to act on behalf of the deceased's estate is referred to as the administrator. The application must be made to the Probate Office of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, located on the 11th Floor of 28 Barrack Street, Perth.
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Where to apply for Letters of Administration in Western Australia
When someone dies, it is important to find out whether they left a will. If they did, the person chosen as their executor can apply for probate to carry out the deceased's final wishes. If the person died without leaving a will, an application for Letters of Administration must be made. This application is made to the Probate Office of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, located on the 11th Floor of 28 Barrack Street, Perth.
The Supreme Court of Western Australia will take 6-8 weeks to review the application and issue a grant. The application will need to consist of several documents, including a motion for a grant of probate/letters of administration, an affidavit of the executor(s) and a statement of assets and liabilities. The will (if applicable) and the original death certificate will also need to be included.
If the deceased had assets in Western Australia and another Australian State, you can make the application in Western Australia and include the assets located in the other state in that application. However, you may need to reseal the Western Australian probate in other states where assets are located.
It is recommended that you send the documents by registered post.
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When to apply for Letters of Administration in Western Australia
In Western Australia, a Letter of Administration is a court order that confirms that a specific person is acting on behalf of a deceased estate. The Probate Office of the Supreme Court of WA will only issue a grant for the estate of someone who was domiciled in WA before their death or who owned real property in the state.
Letters of Administration are required when someone has passed away intestate (without a will), partially intestate, or where there is no appointed, willing, or competent executor. The Supreme Court issues a Letter of Administration in accordance with the Administration Act 1903 to confirm an administrator's authority over an intestate deceased estate.
A prospective administrator must wait 14 days after the death before applying for a Letter of Administration. The application consists of several documents, including a motion, an affidavit, and a statement of assets and liabilities. The affidavit must be drafted carefully, as the court may reject non-compliant affidavits. It must be typed using black ink and at least 12-point font on white A4 paper, with each page numbered and stapled together at the top left corner. The applicant must swear the affidavit and sign in the presence of an authorised witness, such as a public notary, Justice of the Peace, or practising lawyer.
If there is a beneficiary to the estate under 18, the applicant must find two sureties to guarantee they will protect the beneficiary's interests and make good any financial loss the minor may suffer from the applicant's actions. Letters of consent are also required from all other people entitled to benefit from the estate who are not applying. The deceased's death certificate, both the original and a copy, must also be included in the application.
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Documents required for Letters of Administration in Western Australia
Applying for Letters of Administration in Western Australia can be a challenging process, especially if the deceased did not leave a will. The first step in applying for Letters of Administration in Western Australia is to determine whether the deceased left a will. If they did, then the person they chose as their executor can make an application for probate to carry out their final wishes. If the deceased did not leave a will, then an application for Letters of Administration must be made. This is a more complex process, and it is recommended that applicants seek advice from a Citizens Advice Bureau lawyer.
Letters of Administration in Western Australia are required to collect, distribute, and manage the estate of someone who has passed away without a will. Under the Administration Act 1903, there is an order of people who are entitled to distribute the estate. While anyone can apply for Letters of Administration in Western Australia, the court considers an order of people based on their entitlement to the estate. This order includes the deceased's spouse or child, their parents or siblings, and other extended family members.
To apply for Letters of Administration in Western Australia, several documents and specific forms are required. The main documents needed include a motion, an affidavit, and a statement of assets and liabilities. A letter of consent and sureties may also be required. The affidavit is a written and sworn statement that can be used as evidence in court, and it must be signed in the presence of an authorised witness. The authorised witness must be a lawyer who has held a practice certificate for at least two years or a public notary. In addition to the affidavit, applicants must provide a statement of the deceased's assets and liabilities, including what they owned and owed on the day they died.
If there is a beneficiary to the estate under the age of 18, the application for Letters of Administration must find two sureties to guarantee they will protect the beneficiary's interest and make good any financial loss the minor may suffer due to the applicant's actions. A letter of consent is required from each person entitled to apply for Letters of Administration but who is not doing so. This letter states that they consent to the other person applying for the grant. The deceased's death certificate, both the original and a copy, must also be included in the application, along with the filing fee.
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Letters of Administration with Will annexed
Letters of Administration are required to collect, distribute and manage the estate of someone who passes away without a will. This process can be complicated, so it is recommended to seek advice from a Citizens Advice Bureau lawyer.
To apply for Letters of Administration with Will annexed in Western Australia, you need to submit an application to the Probate Office of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, located on the 11th Floor of 28 Barrack Street, Perth. You can post your application to the Probate Office, but it is recommended that you send the documents by registered post. The application must include the following documents:
- A motion for a grant of probate/letters of administration
- An affidavit of the applicant, with a statement of the deceased's assets and liabilities (what they owned and owed on the day they died)
- Letters of consent from all other people entitled to benefit from the estate who are not applying
- Any sureties, guarantees, or Section 17A Deeds (if required)
- The deceased's death certificate – the original and a copy
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Frequently asked questions
A Letter of Administration is a court order that confirms that a specific person is acting on behalf of a deceased estate. It is required when someone has passed away without a will, or where there is no appointed, willing, or competent executor.
Anyone over the age of 18 who is entitled to a share of the estate can apply for a Letter of Administration. This typically includes the deceased's spouse, de facto partner, or adult child. If there is no spouse or child, parents, siblings, or other extended family members can apply.
The main documents you need include a motion, an affidavit, and a statement of assets and liabilities. You may also need letters of consent from all other people entitled to benefit from the estate who are not applying, the deceased's death certificate, and any sureties or guarantees.
You can submit your application to the Probate Registry of the Supreme Court of Western Australia by post, in person, or online through the eCourts portal. It is recommended that you send documents by registered post. You will need to pay a one-off filing fee of $370.00, and there may be additional fees depending on the circumstances.











































