Tasmanian Estates Firm Clears Probate Backlog in 10 Weeks
A 3-lawyer estates specialist in Launceston used Quillio to clear a 120-file probate backlog in 10 weeks. The firm now drafts grant applications under the Administration and Probate Act 1935 (Tas), estate administration advice, and TASAT estate litigation responses in a fraction of the previous time — and has accepted estate referrals from firms across the north of the state.
What they were trying to solve
The firm's principal has a reputation for estates work, which meant a steady intake of complex grants — intestacy, foreign wills, missing executors, family provision risks. The backlog had grown to 120 open estate files, some waiting over 6 months for probate paperwork. Hiring a senior solicitor to clear it wasn't viable at regional Tasmanian rates.
Why Quillio
Quillio was configured with Tasmanian estates templates: grant of probate and letters of administration applications under the Administration and Probate Act 1935, Form 1 oath of executor/administrator, affidavits of assets and liabilities, and family provision claim analysis under the Testator's Family Maintenance Act 1912 (Tas). Law clerks now produce first drafts that the principal reviews.
Implementation
The firm dedicated 2 weeks to training Quillio on their precedent pack and Tasmania-specific forms, then worked through the backlog in priority order (oldest first, then family-pressured matters). Backlog cleared in week 10.
Measurable outcomes
Full backlog cleared over 10 weeks, oldest matters prioritised
From file intake to affidavit-ready grant of probate under Administration and Probate Act 1935 (Tas)
Law clerks now produce first drafts; principal review is faster
Family provision responses under the Testator's Family Maintenance Act 1912 (Tas)
Firm now accepts estate referral overflow from Hobart and north-west firms
"The backlog had got to a point where I was dreading opening the estates file drawer. Ten weeks later it's empty and I'm taking referrals again. I've got my weekends back — and beneficiaries aren't waiting six months for the grant paperwork."
How it works in practice
Grant of probate and letters of administration under the Administration and Probate Act 1935 (Tas), oath of executor drafting, affidavit of assets and liabilities, estate distribution advice, and TFM family provision claim analysis.
What they avoided
Recruiting a senior estates solicitor at rates the regional practice could not support, or continuing to ask beneficiaries to wait 6+ months for probate paperwork.
Case study FAQs
Does Quillio know Tasmanian estates law?
Yes — Quillio is trained on the Administration and Probate Act 1935 (Tas), the Wills Act 2008 (Tas), the Testator's Family Maintenance Act 1912 (Tas), and Tasmanian Supreme Court probate practice requirements.
Can it handle intestacy?
Yes — Quillio applies the Intestacy Act 2010 (Tas) rules to identify the entitled next of kin, calculates shares, and drafts letters of administration applications with the required evidence of kinship.
What about foreign wills and resealing?
Quillio handles resealing of grants from other jurisdictions under the British Probates Act 1935 (Tas) and its reciprocal schedule, and drafts the application and supporting affidavits.
How does it handle family provision risk?
Quillio reviews the will and the estate against the Testator's Family Maintenance Act 1912 categories and flags family provision risk — particularly for adult children, stepchildren, and de facto partners.
Is the practice now reliant on the tool?
Reliant the way any modern practice is reliant on a PMS — it's infrastructure. The principal's judgement remains the critical element, and the firm could operate without Quillio but at the pre-backlog capacity.
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