In some estates, a Grant of Probate is issued within months of the testator's death. More typically, however, it will take three weeks.

In Ireland, there is also a concept known as the Executor's Year. This gives the executor 12 months to distribute the estate, starting from the date of the testator's death.

The process of selling the house can not begin before the Grant of Probate is in place – the property can be put up for sale

A sale can't close until the Grant of Probate is secured.

A fee of 2% of an estate worth 400k would be €8,000.00 plus vat @ 23%- €1,840.00 = €9,840.00 plus outlays

It is vital on someone's death that the executors don't obtain Probate as you have no legal authorisation to sell a property before Probate is granted, unless your name is already on the title deeds.

As this type of inheritance act claim must be made within six months of probate being granted, solicitors often hold onto money owned by the estate until this time-period has elapsed. This ensures the estate has the assets required should an inheritance act arise.

The Executor can decide who gets what . The executor, among other duties, is responsible for the distribution of your assets in accordance with the instructions contained in the will.

A DIY probate could save you money and is a quick and easy solution

Once the grant of probate or letter of administration is received, the first thing your solicitors will do is send it to any financial institutions where the deceased person had an account.

Your will outlines what you want to happen to your possessions, including any money or property that you own, after you die. If your will is valid, any debts that you owe will be paid from your estate, and the remaining assets will be distributed to the people named in your will. An ‘executor’ (or executors) named in your will is usually responsible for carrying out your wishes.

A will can be made by text to a solicitor

When you die, your spouse or civil partner has a legal right to part of your estate. In certain circumstances, an unmarried cohabitant (called a ‘qualified cohabitant’) who is dependent on you may have a right to sue the estate for payment on your death.

If you die without making a valid will, you will have died ‘intestate’. This means that an administrator will pay any of your outstanding debts from your estate (all your possessions and assets), and then distribute those assets among your living relatives according to a set formula. However, the process is usually more complicated and expensive than it would be with a valid will. 

Making a will is the only way you can be absolutely certain your wishes will be carried out after you die. You choose who gets what. It is important to make sure to protect your estate from estranged children

A Natural course of succession in Ireland is to leave a farm estate to a daughter

Mary has just died here daughter Phyliss is devastated, she has heard that she has been left a box of old jewelry, but her solicitor says she can contest the will and stop the proceeds of her mothers estate as it was donated to dogs trust Ireland

A will cannot be challenged by a former spouse based on the 1976 Act

Without a Will, your assets may end up being distributed by prescribed rules.