WHAT IS REDCREST-PROBATE?

RedCrest-Probate is the Supreme Court of Victoria's electronic filing (eFiling) platform for applications made pursuant to the Supreme Court (Administration and Probate) Rules 2023. This includes applications for probate and letters of administration.

DO I NEED TO REGISTER?

Yes. You must register to use RedCrest-Probate to publish a notice of intention (advertisement) and file an application. Click on the “Register” link on the home page. If you need further guidance on creating an account please view the video above.

You do not need to register if you are only conducting a search of the advertisements that have been published or viewing the original record of a grant using the unique ID.

I AM ALREADY A REGISTERED REDCREST USER, WILL THOSE DETAILS FILL ACROSS TO REDCREST-PROBATE?

No. You will need to register as a user for RedCrest-Probate, even if you are registered to use RedCrest. You can use the same email address to register for RedCrest-Probate.

CAN I REGISTER MULTIPLE USERS?

Yes. If you would like to register multiple users, you must complete the registration steps for each user.

SHOULD I REGISTER AS AN INDIVIDUAL OR A COMPANY?

Each individual who needs to file an application or a document is required to register and create a login. The name of the law firm or trustee company should be entered into the 'Law Firm/ Trustee' field and the solicitor code should be entered in the 'Solicitor code' field.

CAN I USE A CENTRAL EMAIL ADDRESS WITHIN MY FIRM?

Yes. Each firm can decide to use a central email address (i.e. info@example.com ) so that different people in the firm can use it, if they choose.

CAN I REGISTER SEVERAL ACCOUNTS WITH ONE EMAIL ADDRESS?

No. You will only be able to register one account with each email address.

I REGISTERED, BUT I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A CONFIRMATION EMAIL.

You should receive an email that asks you to verify your email address after you have completed the online registration process. If you have not received the email, please check your spam or junk folder. You can request a new verification email through RedCrest-Probate.

I CAN'T REMEMBER MY USERNAME

Your username is the email address you used to register.

I CAN'T REMEMBER MY PASSWORD

You can reset your password from the RedCrest-Probate login screen. Your password is case sensitive.

WHAT IS ADVERTISING AN INTENTION TO APPLY?

Prior to filing an application, the person making the application must provide notice of their intention to apply (advertise). They can only file an application 15 days or more after advertising. Advertising gives notice of the application to anyone who may be interested in the estate, and allows time for someone with important information to contact the person intending to apply. For example, someone may know of a later will in relation to a deceased person.

WHAT INFORMATION IS INCLUDED IN THE ADVERTISEMENT?

The advertisement that is generated by the system includes all the information required under the Supreme Court (Administration and Probate) Rules 2023. This includes information about the deceased, the type of application being made and who is making the application. Contact details for the law firm or, if no law firm is acting, the person making the application are also included.

CAN I ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO THE ADVERTISEMENT?

Yes. For the majority of applications no further information will be required, as long as all of the questions have been answered correctly. For some more unusual applications further information may be required. You can answer a questionnaire to find out if further information is required, and to view examples of what further information will need to be provided.

I ADVERTISED ON THE PREVIOUS SYSTEM. IS MY ADVERTISEMENT STILL VALID?

Maybe. As long as your advertisement was published less than three years ago it remains valid. If you advertised on the previous Probate Online Advertising System you should tick the box next to the words ‘I advertised before 11/11/2024’ on the ‘Advertise’ page. You will then need to enter the date of the advertisement and upload a PDF of your advertisement on the ‘Upload Documents & Pay Fees’ page.

I ADVERTISED ON THE PREVIOUS SYSTEM. HOW DO I GET A COPY OF MY ADVERTISEMENT?

All of the advertisements published within the last three years on the previous Probate Online Advertising System are available to be searched on RedCrest-Probate. Once you have located the advertisement by searching by the deceased’s name you can download a copy of the advertisement as a PDF.

THE DRAFT ADVERTISEMENT HAS AN ERROR, HOW DO I FIX IT?

You must correct the information where you originally entered it on RedCrest-Probate. For example, if you need to correct the spelling of the plaintiff’s name, you can do this on the Plaintiff’s Details page, click save and then click the ‘Advertise' tab again. The updated information will appear on this screen. Once all information is correct, you will then be able to pay and submit the advertisement.

THE ADVERTISEMENT I HAVE PUBLISHED HAS AN ERROR, HOW DO I FIX IT? (PRIOR TO SUBMITTING MY APPLICATION)

You must re-advertise. To do this, click on the application in the ‘My Drafts and Filings’ tab. Select ‘Advertise’ on the left hand side, click the “Re-advertise” button on the advertise page and then amend the information as necessary. For example, if you need to correct the spelling of the plaintiff’s name you can do this on the Plaintiff’s Details page, click save and then click the ‘Advertise’ tab again. Once all information is correct, you will then be able to pay and submit the re-advertisement.

THE ADVERTISEMENT I HAVE PUBLISHED HAS AN ERROR, HOW DO I FIX IT? (AFTER SUBMITTING MY APPLICATION)

You must re-advertise. To do this, click on the application in the ‘My Applications’ tab. Select ‘Re-advertise’ from the left hand menu and then amend the information as necessary. . For example, if you need to correct the spelling of the plaintiff’s name you can do this on the Plaintiff’s Details page, click save and then click the ‘Advertise’ tab again. Once all information is correct, you will then be able to pay and submit the re-advertisement. Once published, your new advertisement will automatically be filed with the Probate Office. However, your application will not be able to proceed until after 15 days have lapsed from the date of the advertisement.

AFTER I HAVE ADVERTISED, HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO FILE MY APPLICATION?

An advertisement is valid for three years from the date the application was advertised. Once advertised the status of the draft will update to ‘Advertised’. A draft application that has the status ‘Advertised’ that has not been filed will be automatically deleted three years from the date of advertising.

I DON’T WANT TO WAIT 15 DAYS TO FILE MY APPLICATION. CAN I FILE AND PAY FOR MY APPLICATION BEFORE THE 15 DAYS?

No. The Supreme Court (Administration and Probate) Rules 2023 require you to advertise 14 clear days before filing your application. The Rules do not allow the Probate Office to waive this requirement.

HOW CAN I GET A COPY OF THE ADVERTISEMENT THAT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED?

You will be able to download a copy of the advertisement for your records on the ‘Advertise’ tab on RedCrest-Probate once the advertisement has been published. You can also download a copy of the advertisement via the advertisement search functionality.

I HAVE FOUND AN ADVERTISEMENT IN RELATION TO AN ESTATE, BUT I DON’T THINK THE APPLICATION SHOULD PROCEED. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

You can use the contact details that appear on the advertisement to contact the person who has advertised and explain your concerns. You may also wish to obtain legal advice about what legal options may be available to you to contest the application.

I DON’T WANT MY EMAIL ADDRESS TO APPEAR ON THE ADVERTISEMENT. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

An email address must appear on the advertisement, as you must be able to be contacted in relation to your application. If you do not want to use your personal email address, you may wish to create a new email address specifically for the purpose of administering the deceased’s estate. You can then use that email address to register for RedCrest-Probate, and that email address is what will be included on the advertisement.

HOW DO I START AN APPLICATION?

Click on 'File a new advertisement/application' from the home screen. You will be asked a series of questions to guide you through the application process which includes enabling the advertisement to be published.

I'M A LAWYER, I HAVE ALREADY PREPARED MY DOCUMENTS. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Answer 'yes' when asked if you have already prepared your documents. You will complete some mandatory questions, then upload your pre-prepared documents rather than generating the documents via the system. For example, if you already have a prepared inventory of assets/ liabilities, you will only need to enter the total value of Victorian assets on the 'Deceased's assets and liabilities' screen.

CAN I SAVE A DRAFT OF AN APPLICATION?

Yes. A save button appears on each screen. It is recommended you press save before moving onto the next screen. The save button will change to green if information has not been saved. A unique eFile ID number is allocated to any draft.

HOW LONG WILL DRAFTS REMAIN IN REDCREST PROBATE?

Drafts will remain in the system for 45 days after the date they were last saved, they can be found in the 'My Drafts and Filings' tab. Once an application has been advertised, the system will not delete the draft until three years after the date of the advertisement.

WHICH DOCUMENTS CANNOT BE ELECTRONICALLY FILED?

You will not be able to file an originating motion or Caveat, as RedCrest-Probate will automatically create these documents based on the information you have entered during the application process. All documents you would usually file over the counter or via post can now be filed on RedCrest-Probate.

IF I FILE A COPY OF THE WILL ELECTRONICALLY, DO I STILL NEED TO FILE THE ORIGINAL WITH THE PROBATE OFFICE?

Yes, you must file an electronic copy of any will and any codicils, and also file the originals with the Probate Office for examination. When you provide the original will and any codicils you will also need to provide a copy of the originating motion.

THE AFFIDAVIT I HAVE GENERATED HAS AN ERROR. HOW DO I FIX IT?

You must correct the information where you originally entered it on RedCrest-Probate. Save the application and then click 'Generate documents' again. The newly generated affidavit will contain the correct information.

IF I USE REDCREST-PROBATE TO GENERATE THE AFFIDAVIT CAN I ADD ADDITIONAL CLAUSES?

Yes. The affidavit that is generated will be a .docx. You can add additional clauses to the affidavit prior to having it sworn/affirmed. You should not change the names or dates in the affidavit (see information above).

HOW WOULD I FILE AN APPLICATION TO PROVE AN INFORMAL WILL PURSUANT TO SECTION 9 OF THE WILLS ACT 1997?

The application will be for probate or letters of administration with the will annexed. You would need to select the appropriate application type from the dropdown list. If you are filing additional affidavits in support of the application you can upload them at the time of submitting the application on RedCrest-Probate.

WHEN WOULD I USE THE 'OTHER' APPLICATION TYPE?

'Other' can be used for applications for limited grants (i.e. ad colligenda bona) and when applying for probate pursuant to leave reserved or rights saved. There is a full list of 'other' application types on RedCrest-Probate. When applying for one of these unusual applications, the affidavit required to support the application will not be generated by RedCrest-Probate.

I AM LODGING MULTIPLE AVERTISEMENTS OR APPLICATIONS IN THE SAME ONLINE SESSION. CAN I PAY FOR ALL ADVERTISEMENTS OR APPLICATIONS IN A SINGLE PAYMENT?

No. You will need to pay for each advertisement and each application separately at the time they are submitted.

WHAT KIND OF PAYMENT TYPES ARE ACCEPTED?

You will need to pay for advertising and filing the application using a credit card online. RedCrest-Probate accepts payments via Visa, Mastercard and American Express card types.

DOES IT COST EXTRA TO PAY WITH A CREDIT CARD?

No. Additional fees are not charged for paying via credit card. The fee charged will be the fee prescribed by the Supreme Court (Fees) Regulations 2018.

REDCREST-PROBATE WILL NOT ACCEPT MY PAYMENT, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

You should contact your bank/card provider to ascertain why the transaction cannot be processed.

HOW DO I DELIVER THE ORIGINAL WILL/CODICIL/GRANT TO BE RESEALED TO THE PROBATE OFFICE?

The originals can be sent by post to the Probate Office:

Registrar of Probates
Supreme Court of Victoria
PO Box 13331
Law Courts, Victoria, 8010

The originals can also be delivered in person. The Probate Office has a drop box located in the Supreme Court Service Centre of the Old High Court building at 450 Little Bourke Street (to the left as you enter the doors to the Service Centre space). The drop box is only accessible between the hours of 9:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, and is cleared by the Probate Office at the end of each day.

You must include a copy of the originating motion generated in RedCrest-Probate when filing the originals with the Probate Office.

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO FILE THE ORIGINAL WILL/CODICIL/GRANT TO BE RESEALED?

The Rules require that the original will/codicil/grant to be resealed be filed in the Probate Office within 28 days of submitting an application on RedCrest-Probate. The Probate Office will not be able to examine your application until the originals are provided.

CAN THE ORIGINAL WILL BE POSTED FIRST, BEFORE LODGING AN APPLICATION ONLINE?

No. The originating motion that RedCrest-Probate generates must be filed with the original will. The originating motion includes the application number that has been assigned to your application in the top right-hand corner.

DO I NEED TO SUBMIT ANY OTHER ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS?

No. The original sworn/affirmed affidavits are not required to be delivered to the Probate Office.

IS A RECEIPT ISSUED WHEN THE ORIGINAL WILL IS RECEIVED BY THE PROBATE OFFICE?

Yes. When the Probate Office receives the original documents, the application status will be changed in RedCrest-Probate to 'under review' and an email notification will be sent to you to confirm receipt of the original.

HOW SHOULD A COPY OF THE WILL BE UPLOADED?

The will can be scanned either in colour or black and white, however, it must not be altered. Do not remove staples or bindings. The copy of the will that is uploaded as part of your online application will be part of the electronic grant. For this reason, you should not include any front page or back page if it does not contain part of the will.

CAN I FILE AN ANSWER TO A REQUEST FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ONLINE?

Yes. If further information has been requested you must file any affidavits or other documents in response to the request on RedCrest-Probate. You can go to your 'My Applications' page, click on the application and select 'File further document(s)'. Alternatively, you can click on 'File a document for an existing application' from the home screen. If you click on this link you will need the application number that was on the top right of the originating motion.

I'VE PREVIOUSLY LODGED AN APPLICATION IN PERSON, MUST I NOW LODGE FURTHER DOCUMENTS FOR THE SAME APPLICATION ONLINE?

Yes. It is mandatory for all documents, including answers to requests for further information for previously lodged applications, to be filed on RedCrest-Probate. You can file further documents by clicking on 'File a document for an existing application'.

WHY HASN'T MY DOCUMENT BEEN ACCEPTED FOR FILING?

If your document is not accepted for filing, an email that details the reasons will be sent to you. All documents filed in response to a request for further information will be accepted for filing, but you may receive a request for more information if the documents you file do not provide the information required.

HOW DO I FILE EXHIBITS TO AN AFFIDAVIT?

When filing an affidavit the exhibits must be included together with the affidavit as one document.

DO I STILL NEED TO PROVIDE THE ORDER AND PARCHMENT?

No. The Probate Office generates and issues an electronic grant.

HOW CAN I VIEW THE GRANT OF REPRESENTATION?

All grants issued are electronic and are viewable in the 'documents' part of the application details in the 'My Applications' tab in RedCrest-Probate.

WHO CAN VIEW A GRANT OF REPRESENTATION ONLINE?

The person who lodges the application can view the original online grant in RedCrest-Probate after the application has been granted. Asset holders and anyone else who is provided with the application number and unique identifier will also be able to view the grant on RedCrest-Probate.

WILL I BE NOTIFIED WHEN A GRANT OF REPRESENTATION HAS BEEN ISSUED?

Yes. If your application is granted, you will receive a notification that the grant has been issued. The notification will include a link to RedCrest-Probate to view the electronic grant. You can also track the status of your application by viewing the 'My Applications' tab in RedCrest-Probate. Once the application is granted the status will change to 'Application granted'.

HOW CAN I GET A CERTIFIED COPY OF THE GRANT?

To certify a copy of the grant, the certifier would view the original grant on RedCrest-Probate, which they can access using the application number and unique identifier.

CAN I GET AN EXEMPLIFICATION OF AN ELECTRONIC GRANT?

Yes. You can get a paper exemplification in certain circumstances. Generally, the Probate Office will issue an exemplification only if the deceased had assets outside Victoria. If an exemplification is required, file a 'Request for an exemplification' on RedCrest-Probate after the application has been granted.

IF I FILE A CAVEAT OR A SUMMONS ON AN APPLICATION HOW DO I GET ACCESS TO VIEW THE CASE ON REDCREST-PROBATE?

After you have filed your caveat or summons you can request access to the application by clicking on the 'Request access' button in the 'My Applications' tab and detail why you need access.

WHAT HAPPENS IF AN INDIVIDUAL HAS LODGED AN APPLICATION, THEN ENGAGES A LAWYER?

The lawyer would need to file a 'notice of appointment of solicitor' by clicking on 'File a document for an existing application'. Once the notice has been accepted for filing, the lawyer can request access to the application by clicking on the 'Request access' button in the 'My Applications' tab and detail why they need access.

IF I AM A LAWYER AND I LEAVE THE FIRM I AM WORKING FOR, CAN SOMEONE ELSE OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE APPLICATIONS I HAVE FILED?

Yes. Another lawyer at the firm who is on record can request access to the application by clicking on the 'Request access' button in the 'My Applications' tab and detail why they need access.

WHAT HAPPENS IF AN INDIVIDUAL HAS LODGED AN ADVERTISEMENT, THEN ENGAGES A LAWYER?

The lawyer would need to request access to the draft application by clicking on the ‘Request draft access’ button in the ‘My Drafts and Filings’ tab and detail why they need access. The lawyer would need to have the eFile ID to request access. The eFile ID can be found on the ‘My Drafts and Filings’ page and is also the first series of numbers on the Advertisement number.

IF I AM A LAWYER AND I LEAVE THE FIRM I AM WORKING FOR, CAN SOMEONE ELSE OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE DRAFT APPLICATIONS I HAVE ADVERTISED BUT NOT YET FILED?

Yes. Another lawyer at the firm who advertised can request access to the draft application by clicking on the 'Request access' button in the 'My Drafts and Filings' tab and detail why they need access. The lawyer would need to have the eFile ID to request access. The eFile ID can be found on the ‘My Drafts and Filings’ page and is also the first series of numbers on the Advertisement number.

I HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION BUT I WANT TO MAKE CHANGES

Once the application has been submitted and paid for, you will not be able to change the application. To make a change, such as correcting spelling, you will need to submit a further affidavit online.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GRANT MY APPLICATION?

The Probate Office will review your application when you provide the original will/codicil/grant to be resealed (if any). Once received, the process takes 5-10 business days. If the application is for Letters of Administration (no will) the process takes 5-10 business days from when the application is submitted on RedCrest-Probate.

WHICH DOCUMENT FORMAT DOES REDCREST PROBATE ACCEPT?

Documents must be in a PDF format.

AM I ABLE TO VIEW IF A CAVEAT HAS BEEN FILED PRIOR TO LODGING MY APPLICATION?

Yes. The Application, caveat and wills index is available to search online.

WHAT DOES EACH CASE STATUS MEAN?

• Awaiting original documents: When an application for probate, letters of administration with the will annexed or to reseal a grant is filed, the status will remain as 'Awaiting original documents' until the Probate Office receives the original documents.
• Under review: The Probate Office is reviewing the application.
• Further information requested: Further information is required to support the application.
• Further information received: Further documents have been filed in response to a request for further information and those documents are being reviewed by the Probate Office.
• Grant being prepared: Your application has been approved and the grant of representation is being prepared.
• Application granted: Your application has been granted.

WHAT HAPPENS WITH APPLICATIONS FILED BEFORE 1 JULY 2020? WILL THEY BE AVAILABLE ON REDCREST-PROBATE?

Applications filed prior to July 1 2020 will not be available to view in the 'My Applications' tab within RedCrest-Probate. You will be able file further documents on RedCrest-Probate, and when the electronic grant is issued you will receive an email that includes a copy of the grant.

HOW DO I SEARCH THE FILE OF AN ELECTRONIC APPLICATION?

You can access your own applications on RedCrest-Probate. You will not be able to view applications filed by others unless you have a special interest in the application (for example, as a caveator or a defendant etc.). For information on searching probate records please visit our website.

IF I HAVE QUESTIONS OR SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR REDCREST-PROBATE WHO SHOULD I CONTACT?

Please call the Probate Office on (03) 8600 2000 (Option 1) during business hours.
You can also email redcrest-probate@supcourt.vic.gov.au