Wills and estates has rapidly become a large area of practice in part due to the aging population in Australia. Wills and estates lawyers support clients by providing objective opinions on how they should dispose of their assets. It’s an important area of practice that calls for a thorough understanding of the law. Want to thrive in this specialisation? You will need to be a strong communicator, a problem solver and a forward thinker.
With a Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in Wills and Estates you will deepen your expertise substantially – and truly set yourself apart as an industry expert while learning practical skills to manage the everyday issues you are likely to encounter as a wills and estates practitioner.
To complete this award, you must choose:
The College of Law is an Accredited Education Partner of STEP, the worldwide professional association for practitioners dealing with family inheritance and succession planning. One subject in either the Wills and Estates major or Estate Planning major, gives you 30 Diploma Level credits towards STEP membership.
Plan your studies
Looking to plan your postgraduate program?
Follow these steps to complete your enrolment in a postgraduate program.
Need help?
For assistance, contact Customer and Student Engagement at 1300 506 402 or email postgrad@collaw.edu.au
Re-enrolling for your next subject is simple!
Once you've enrolled in your chosen Award program, re-enrolling for the next subject is easy. Simply follow these steps:
Here’s what you need to know:
Good news! There’s no need to pay for your entire qualification upfront. Instead, you can pay as you learn – subject by subject. Which means, you can start off small by building your own Graduate Certificate, or Graduate Diploma, and then progress to a Master of Laws later, if you choose.
Please refer to our Policy Index - 1.3.11 Withdrawal policy.
Kay Smith Scholarship
The Kay Smith Scholarship honours one of the longest serving and most respected people of The College of Law. It is designed to support the education aspirations of outstanding law graduates and young lawyers. Learn more.
You must hold a recognised law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent) to enrol in a Postgraduate Program.
STEP Accredited Education Partner
The College of Law is an Accredited Education Partner of STEP, the worldwide professional association for practitioners dealing with family inheritance and succession planning. STEP has over 20,000 members across more than 80 countries from a broad range of professional backgrounds.
One subject in either the Wills and Estates major or Estate Planning major, gives you 30 Diploma Level credits towards STEP membership. If you wish to proceed to Full STEP Membership, with use of post-nominal TEP, you must have a minimum of two years’ relevant experience and successfully complete 120 Diploma Level credits, including the successful completion of any two subjects from the following list:
Your assessments may vary from course to course. However, these are the most common assessments that you will need to complete:
For all student policies refer to our policy index.
THE SUBJECT HAS FOUR COMPONENTS
This subject covers the procedures and principles involved in the administration of estates. It identifies and enables students to apply the legislative provisions relating to testate and intestate estates. It covers the procedural steps for obtaining uncontested grants of probate and letters of administration, including taking client instructions and providing appropriate advice to the client. Students draft applications for grants of probate and letters of administration, as well as administer assets and wind up the estate.
On satisfactory completion of this subject students will understand fundamental theories and practices involved in administration of estates practice, and have an understanding of how to apply this knowledge in professional practice. Students will be able to use and explain this knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Using practice-based analytical and critical thinking skills, students will be able to apply this knowledge to problem-solving and decision-making in practice.
Nov Intake 4 | Feb intake 1 | May Intake 2 | |
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START DATE | 11 Nov 2024 | 10 Feb 2025 | 12 May 2025 |
CENSUS | 04 Dec 2024 | 26 Feb 2025 | 28 May 2025 |
END DATE | 07 Feb 2025 | 02 May 2025 | 02 Aug 2025 |
Subject | Start Date | Census | End Date | Workshop Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
DRP3 - Advocacy | 21 Sep 2025 | 30 Sep 2024 | 30 Oct 2025 | |
DRP4 - Mediation | 05 Oct 2025 | 01 Jan 0001 | 13 Nov 2024 | |
EPP2 - Superannuation | 01 Jul 2024 | 10 Jul 2024 | 09 Aug 2024 | |
FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation | 10 Feb 2025 | 17 Feb 2025 | 21 Mar 2025 |
3 - 5 March 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution | 24 Mar 2025 | 01 Jan 0001 | 20 Apr 2025 |
10 - 12 April 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 04 Nov 2024 | 13 Nov 2024 | 13 Dec 2024 |
25-27 Nov 2024 NSW & VIC 26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 05 May 2025 | 01 Jan 0001 | 13 Jun 2025 |
25-27 Nov 2024 NSW & VIC 26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 27 Jan 2025 | 05 Feb 2025 | 07 Mar 2025 |
20-22 Feb 2025 NSW & VIC 10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 16 Jun 2025 | 01 Jan 0001 | 25 Jul 2025 |
20-22 Feb 2025 NSW & VIC 10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice | 07 Apr 2025 | 01 Jan 0001 | 30 May 2025 |
Day 1 – 24 April 2025 |
LB3 - Business Strategy: Planning for Success | 04 Nov 2024 | 13 Nov 2024 | 13 Dec 2024 | |
LB3 - Business Strategy: Planning for Success | 05 May 2025 | 01 Jan 0001 | 13 Jun 2025 |
Subject | Start Date | Census | End Date | Workshop Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation | 10 Feb 2025 | 17 Feb 2025 | 21 Mar 2025 |
3 - 5 March 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution | 25 Mar 2024 | 03 Apr 2024 | 03 May 2024 |
17-19 Oct 2024 NSW & VIC 10 - 12 April 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution | 23 Sep 2024 | 02 Oct 2024 | 01 Nov 2024 |
17-19 Oct 2024 NSW & VIC 10 - 12 April 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution | 23 Sep 2024 | 02 Oct 2024 | 01 Nov 2024 |
17-19 Oct 2024 NSW & VIC 10 - 12 April 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution | 24 Mar 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 02 May 2025 |
17-19 Oct 2024 NSW & VIC 10 - 12 April 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution | 24 Mar 2025 | 01 Jan 0001 | 20 Apr 2025 |
17-19 Oct 2024 NSW & VIC 10 - 12 April 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 06 May 2024 | 15 May 2024 | 14 Jun 2024 |
25-27 Nov 2024 NSW & VIC 26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 04 Nov 2024 | 13 Nov 2024 | 13 Dec 2024 |
25-27 Nov 2024 NSW & VIC 26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 04 Nov 2024 | 13 Nov 2024 | 13 Dec 2024 |
25-27 Nov 2024 NSW & VIC 26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 05 May 2025 | 12 May 2025 | 13 Jun 2025 |
25-27 Nov 2024 NSW & VIC 26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution | 05 May 2025 | 01 Jan 0001 | 13 Jun 2025 |
25-27 Nov 2024 NSW & VIC 26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 29 Jan 2024 | 07 Feb 2024 | 08 Mar 2024 |
20-22 Feb 2025 NSW & VIC 10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 17 Jun 2024 | 26 Jun 2024 | 26 Jul 2024 |
20-22 Feb 2025 NSW & VIC 10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 27 Jan 2025 | 05 Feb 2025 | 07 Mar 2025 |
20-22 Feb 2025 NSW & VIC 10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 27 Jan 2025 | 05 Feb 2025 | 07 Mar 2025 |
20-22 Feb 2025 NSW & VIC 10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 16 Jun 2025 | 23 Jun 2025 | 25 Jul 2025 |
20-22 Feb 2025 NSW & VIC 10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone | 16 Jun 2025 | 01 Jan 0001 | 25 Jul 2025 |
20-22 Feb 2025 NSW & VIC 10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC |
FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice | 08 Apr 2024 | 18 Apr 2024 | 31 May 2024 |
Day 1 – 24 April 2025 |
FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice | 09 Sep 2024 | 19 Sep 2024 | 01 Nov 2024 |
Day 1 – 24 April 2025 |
FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice | 09 Sep 2024 | 19 Sep 2024 | 01 Nov 2024 |
Day 1 – 24 April 2025 |
FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice | 07 Apr 2025 | 17 Apr 2025 | 30 May 2025 |
Day 1 – 24 April 2025 |
FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice | 07 Apr 2025 | 01 Jan 0001 | 30 May 2025 |
Day 1 – 24 April 2025 |
I gained a real insight into the mechanics of wills and estates practice in my first masters.
Chloe Kopilovic, LLM Graduate - Wills and Estates
I graduated six months ago, and since then I've actively sought to implement what I've learned into my day-to-day practice.
Krystal Bellamy, LLM Graduate - Wills and Estates
I’ll never forget what I learned during my education, and the partners who have helped shape the lawyer I am today.
Lav Chhabra, LLM Graduate - Wills and Estates
If you’re experiencing financial hardship and unable to afford postgraduate study, see if you are eligible for the The Kay Smith Scholarship. This scholarship honours one of the longest serving and most respected people of The College of Law. It is designed to support the education aspirations of outstanding law graduates and young lawyers.
If you have any questions about subjects, awards, intake dates, or anything else related to our postgraduate programs, don't hesitate to reach out. Book a call with one of our Student and Customer Engagement Advisors who are ready to assist you.
Read how Craig’s postgraduate study accelerated his career by a decade and enabled him to become a specialist and eventually started his own firm.
This depends on your workload and your personal situation. If you complete 1 subject every intake you could complete your Masters in 2 years. However, you have five years to complete the course from your intake commencement date.
You can do any of the following without financial penalty any time before the published census date for each intake:
Learn more by reading our Policy Index.
As you have 5 years to complete your Masters, you don’t need to complete a subject every intake. However, if you do not study for 2 consecutive intakes – then you can apply for a Leave of Absence. You can only request a leave of absence twice over the course of your studies.
We recommend that you set aside 10-12 hours a week on study per subject, 1 unit per semester. Completing two subjects in the same intake may require up to 25 hours of study and readings each week.
There are four intakes a year: February, May, August and November.
You may be entitled to claim your full 10 units per subject for your CPD requirements.
However, you may still need to complete some mandatory CPD units. Please check with your local law society for the requirements in your state or territory.
WA-based students may claim up to 6 units per subject (6 CPD units for an intensive subject that has a compulsory workshop requirement or 4 CPD units for any other subject). College will lodge the CPD points with the Legal Practice Board on successful completion of the subject(s).
The College’s Credit for Prior Learning Policy encourages practitioners who have completed previous postgraduate and other recognised study to apply for credit towards either the LLM (Applied Law) or the Master of Applied Law (Family Law).
A maximum of three subject credits may be granted towards the Masters awards.
Yes. Many LLM students choose electives from our Legal Business Management course. Please contact us to learn how.
No. To become a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, you will need to:
Many students choose to pursue an LLM with a double major in Family Law and FDRP.
For 2024, each subject in our postgraduate programmes costs $3,950, with no GST applicable. For 2025, each subject in our postgraduate programmes costs $4,150 with no GST applicable.
Please note that our fees are subject to annual review and may change during your enrolment. Full payment is required at the time of enrolment each semester, and we accept various payment methods including cheque, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), and credit card. Additionally, if you are an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, or hold a permanent humanitarian visa, you may be eligible to defer your payment through the Commonwealth Government's FEE-HELP scheme.
Yes, if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident you may be eligible to receive FEE-HELP. For more information, download the FEE-Help Factsheet.
Yes, you can, but StudyAssist FEE-help will not apply.
Yes. If you are from a non-English speaking country or your previous studies were in a language other than English, you will need to demonstrate your English skills in accordance with the IELTS standard before starting the program.
The requisite IELTS standard is at level 8 (writing), 7 (listening), 7.5 (speaking), 7 (reading), and 7.5 overall.
The Kay Smith Scholarship is designed to assist law graduates and young lawyers in Australia and New Zealand facing financial or personal hardships by covering the costs of a Master of Laws (Applied Law) or a Practical Legal Training course at The College of Law. It honours Kay Smith’s significant contributions to the college. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need, academic commitment, and community impact. Applications are due annually by December 15. For more details, you can click here