How long does probate take in Queensland?

Most executors are told 'a few months' and left guessing. In practice a straightforward Queensland grant issues six to ten weeks after the application is started, and administering the estate afterwards usually takes another three to nine months. Here is where the time actually goes.

Written by Michael Klein, Legal Practice Director, admitted 2003 · General information about Queensland law · Last reviewed 2026

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A realistic probate timeline

1
Death certificate issued2–4 weeks
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, usually via the funeral director.
2
Notice publishedWeek 3–4
Queensland Law Reporter, served on the Public Trustee.
3
Application filedWeek 5–6
After the 14 day notice period expires.
4
Grant issuedWeek 9–14
Assuming no requisitions from the registry.
5
Assets collectedMonth 4–6
Banks, superannuation, share registries, and any property sale.
6
Distribution to beneficiariesAfter 6 months
Executors normally wait out the 6 month family provision claim window before distributing.

Simple estates land at the fast end. Property in multiple states, missing paperwork or a family provision claim push it out.

The mandatory waiting periods

Two waiting periods are built into Queensland practice and cannot be shortened by paying more or pushing harder.

Notice of intention to apply must be published and served on the Public Trustee of Queensland, and the application cannot be filed until at least 14 days later.
An executor should not distribute the estate within six months of the date of death, because a family provision claim can still be notified in that window.

A realistic timeline

Assuming the original will is in hand and the executor responds promptly:

Week 1: intake, identity checks, death certificate obtained, will reviewed
Week 1–2: notice of intention to apply published, Public Trustee served
Week 3: application, executor's affidavit and original will filed in the Supreme Court
Week 4–10: registry processing; the grant issues, subject to any requisitions
Month 3–9: assets collected, property transferred or sold, debts and tax dealt with, estate accounts prepared, distribution after the six month mark

What actually causes delay

Delay almost never comes from the court. It comes from the estate.

The original will cannot be found, or is held in another firm's safe custody
The will is damaged, unsigned, altered, or has staple holes suggesting something was attached
A requisition from the registry because the affidavit material is defective
A superannuation death benefit the trustee has to decide, which runs on its own timetable
A property that has to be sold, or a title problem discovered on transfer
A beneficiary who cannot be located, or a family provision claim notified

How to make it faster

Get the death certificate ordered immediately, produce the original will rather than a copy, and give your solicitor a complete asset list at the start rather than in instalments. Everything else runs on statutory time.

Frequently asked questions

How long after death should probate be applied for?

There is no strict deadline, but an executor who delays beyond about six months may be asked by the registry to explain the delay in the affidavit. Practically, start once the death certificate has issued and the will is in hand.

Can probate be expedited in Queensland?

The 14 day notice period cannot be waived. Where there is genuine urgency — a settlement date on a property, for example — the court can grant limited authority in special cases, but that is exceptional and adds cost.

How long does the Supreme Court take to issue a grant?

Registry processing time varies with volume. Where the material is in order it is commonly a few weeks after filing; a requisition adds several weeks more, which is why the affidavit material being right the first time matters.

Can the estate pay bills before the grant?

Funeral expenses can usually be paid from the deceased's bank account before any grant, and most banks will release funds for that on sight of the invoice. Broader dealings generally wait for the grant.

This guide is general information about Queensland law, current at the time of writing. It is not legal advice and does not take your circumstances into account. Call Coastside Law on 0488 340 853 for advice on your own matter.

Next steps

Where to go from here if this is your situation.

1Wills, probate and estatesWills, executor work, probate applications and estate administration in Queensland.See how we help
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3Talk it throughA short, no-obligation conversation with a lawyer at our Golden Beach office.Request a consultation Call 0488 340 853

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