National Crime Consultation options
Every matter starts with a confidential discussion so we can understand your situation and you can understand your options. We offer several ways to begin:
Initial Confidential Discussion
An initial conversation — by phone or in person — to understand your situation, answer your immediate questions, and give you an honest preliminary assessment. We will tell you whether we think you have a viable legal pathway and what the likely next steps would be. There is no obligation to proceed.
Contact us to discuss availability and any applicable fees. We are transparent about costs before you incur any.
Document Review & Preliminary Advice
If you have documents — a will, correspondence, financial records — we can review them and provide preliminary written or verbal advice about your legal position, the strengths and weaknesses of your case, and what would be involved in proceeding. This is a more detailed assessment than the initial discussion.
Cost depends on the volume and complexity of documents. We provide an estimate before commencing any work.
Urgent Advice & Protective Action
For situations where assets are at immediate risk, we offer urgent same-day or next-day advice and, if necessary, can move quickly to seek protective orders from the court. Urgent matters are prioritised.
We discuss costs upfront even in urgent situations. Call +18392109187 for immediate assistance.
What affects the cost of an estate dispute?
Legal costs in estate and probate disputes vary significantly. Here are the main factors that influence what your matter will cost:
Complexity of the legal issues
A straightforward family provision claim is generally less expensive than a multi-party undue influence challenge involving contested medical evidence.
Number of parties
The more parties involved — multiple beneficiaries, executors, and interested persons — the more complex and costly the matter becomes.
Volume of evidence
Matters involving extensive medical records, financial documents, and witness evidence require more time to review and prepare.
Attitude of the other side
If the other side is reasonable and willing to negotiate, costs are lower. If they are combative and unwilling to engage, costs increase.
Whether the matter goes to trial
Matters that resolve through negotiation or mediation cost significantly less than those that proceed to a full court hearing.
Urgency
Urgent applications — freezing orders, caveats, injunctions — involve accelerated work and may attract higher costs in the short term, but can save far more by protecting assets.
State jurisdiction
NSW and Queensland have different court processes, filing fees, and procedural requirements. The state in which the estate is being administered affects costs.
Size and nature of the estate
Larger estates with diverse assets (property, shares, business interests) are more complex to administer and dispute than smaller, simpler estates.
🚨 Emergency & urgent work — a note about costs and value
Urgent legal work — such as seeking freezing orders, lodging caveats, or applying for urgent injunctions — involves accelerated effort and may involve higher short-term costs. However, the cost of not acting urgently can be far greater. Once assets are transferred, spent, or hidden, recovery is significantly more difficult and expensive — and sometimes impossible. We will always discuss the cost-benefit of urgent action with you candidly before proceeding.
Ongoing matter structures
For matters that proceed beyond the initial stages, we offer transparent fee arrangements. The appropriate structure depends on the nature and complexity of your matter:
Fixed-Fee Stages
Where the scope of work can be clearly defined — such as preparing a letter of demand, reviewing a specific set of documents, or attending a mediation — we can often provide a fixed fee. You know exactly what the stage will cost before we begin.
Hourly Rates with Estimates
For more complex or unpredictable matters, we charge on an hourly basis with regular estimates and updates. You will always know the costs incurred to date and the estimated costs to complete the next stage. No surprises.
Conditional Fee Arrangements
In some matters, a conditional fee arrangement may be available — where our fees (or part of them) are contingent on a successful outcome. This is not available in all cases and will be discussed transparently if it is an option.
Costs Recovery from the Estate
In certain probate litigation, the "probate exception" may apply — meaning costs may be paid from the estate rather than by the parties personally. We will discuss whether this may apply in your matter.
Our commitment to transparency
We will never surprise you with unexpected costs. Before any work is undertaken, we will provide a clear estimate. You will receive regular updates on costs as your matter progresses. You will always have the opportunity to ask questions and make informed decisions about how to proceed.
Frequently asked questions about costs
It is not possible to give a single figure because costs vary so significantly depending on the complexity of the issues, the number of parties, the volume of evidence, and whether the matter resolves or goes to trial. Simple matters that resolve early may cost a few thousand dollars. Complex multi-party litigation can cost significantly more. We provide estimates at each stage so you always know where you stand. Contact us for a confidential discussion about your specific situation →
In litigation, costs generally follow the event — meaning the unsuccessful party pays the successful party's costs (usually a portion, not all). However, this is not guaranteed and is at the court's discretion. In probate litigation, the "probate exception" may apply: if the testator's own conduct caused the litigation (for example, by making a will under suspicious circumstances), the costs of all parties may be paid from the estate. This is complex and fact-specific — we will discuss costs recovery prospects in your first meeting.
We understand that legal costs can be challenging. We are open to discussing payment arrangements that work for your circumstances. This may include staged payments aligned with the progress of your matter, or payment from the estate where appropriate and authorised. We encourage you to raise any concerns about costs early so we can work with you on a practical arrangement.
If you have a strong case but are concerned about costs, we will discuss your options openly. This may include: a conditional fee arrangement (where available), seeking an order that costs be paid from the estate, focusing on negotiation rather than litigation to minimise costs, or taking a staged approach that limits initial expenditure. In some cases, litigation funding may be available. The most important thing is to seek advice early so you understand your options before making decisions based on cost assumptions.
In addition to our professional fees, there are disbursements — costs paid to third parties. These may include: court filing fees, barrister's fees (if a barrister is engaged), expert witness fees (such as medical specialists or forensic document examiners), mediation fees, and costs of obtaining records (such as medical records or land title searches). We will identify any significant disbursements before they are incurred so you can make an informed decision.
Ready to discuss your situation?
Every matter starts with a confidential discussion. We will listen, give you an honest assessment, and provide transparency about costs before you commit to anything. No obligation, no pressure.