Cost of probate in NT (2026–27)
Updated 20 August 2026 · 7 minute read
The cost of probate in Northern Territory has two parts: the court filing fee, which is fixed by the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, and professional fees if you use a lawyer, which are not. Here are both, with current numbers.
Court filing fees
| Estate value | Filing fee |
|---|---|
| All estates (flat fee) | $1,548 |
The Territory charges one flat fee — the highest flat filing fee in the country — regardless of estate value.
Solicitor fees on top
Most firms now quote fixed fees for a straightforward grant. Expect roughly $1,500–$3,000 + GST for grant-only work in NT, and $4,000–$8,000+ if the firm administers the whole estate (collecting assets, paying debts, distributing). Hourly-rate retainers still exist — for a routine grant, a fixed quote is almost always the better deal.
The filing fee comes out of the estate, not your pocket — executors are entitled to be reimbursed for proper expenses before any distribution.
What pushes the price up
- A lost or damaged original will
- Assets in more than one state (a reseal or second grant may be needed)
- Requisitions from the registry — errors in the inventory are the most common cause
- Family tension or a threatened family provision claim
- Business interests, trusts or farmland in the estate
Get NT fixed-fee quotes
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Get fixed-fee probate quotesCommon questions
Who pays for probate?
The estate does. The filing fee and reasonable professional costs are paid from estate funds before anything is distributed to beneficiaries.
Is the filing fee refundable if probate isn't granted?
Generally no — which is one more reason to check whether you need probate before filing.
Can I avoid the fee by doing it myself?
No — the court fee applies to everyone. Doing it yourself only saves the professional fees, and self-filed applications attract requisitions more often.
Sources
- Supreme Court of the NT — wills and probate (supremecourt.nt.gov.au)
- NT probate fees 2026–27 (nationalprobate.com.au/nt/probate/costs)
- NT Law Handbook — estates