There is a new procedure for Probate advertising in Victoria from 11 November 2024.
Applications for probate and letters of administration from that date will be advertised via RedCrest-Probate instead of the Probate Online Advertising System (POAS). The intention of the change is to streamline the process and remove the need for information to be entered twice. Practitioners will only need to use one system to search, advertise, and apply for grants of representation in Victoria.
The POAS ceases to operate on 7 November, and no probate advertising will be possible from that date until Monday, 11 November, when the new system commences.
RedCrest-Probate is the Supreme Court’s existing online filing system for all applications for grants and all documents in relation to grants.
The first step in any application is a Notice of Intention to Apply. This is now lodged and advertised via RedCrest-Probate.
All advertisements previously published on POAS remain valid for three years from their date of publication. POAS advertisements will be searchable on RedCrest-Probate once the new system commences.
The Supreme Court (Administration and Probate) Rules 2023 set out the information that must be included in the Notice of Intention to apply. There are different requirements under the rules depending on whether the application is for probate, letters of administration on intestacy, letters of administration with the will attached, or resealing a grant from another jurisdiction.
The By Lawyers Probate (VIC) and Letters of Administration (VIC) will be updated accordingly for the commencement of the new probate advertising procedure.