If you have been named as executor in a loved one's will, you are responsible for managing their estate through the probate process. This can feel overwhelming, but each stage follows a clear sequence. For the full picture of how probate works in Ireland, see our complete guide to probate in Ireland.
This guide walks through each step from locating the will to distributing the estate. It covers the forms you need, what happens at the Probate Office, and how long each stage takes. If you are not sure whether you need probate at all, our guide to what probate means explains when a Grant is required.
The probate process: step by step
The seven steps below cover the full journey from the death of your loved one to final distribution of the estate.
Locate the will and identify your role
The first step is to find the most recent will. Check with the deceased's solicitor, bank, or among their personal papers. The will names the executor — the person responsible for managing the estate through probate.
If the deceased did not leave a will, the estate is administered under the rules of intestacy set out in the Succession Act 1965. In this case, the next of kin applies for a Grant of Administration rather than a Grant of Probate.
At this stage, register the death if it has not already been done, and obtain several certified copies of the death certificate. You will need these for banks, the Probate Office, and other institutions.
Gather documents and notify institutions
Contact all relevant institutions to notify them of the death and gather information about the estate. This includes banks and building societies, insurance companies, pension providers, the Land Registry (if the estate includes property), and any employer of the deceased.
Request statements showing the value of each asset as at the date of death. Banks will freeze the deceased's accounts at this point, though they may release small sums for funeral expenses without a Grant.
Keep a careful record of all assets and liabilities — you will need these figures for the Revenue form in the next step.
Value the estate
You must establish the value of every asset in the estate as at the date of death. For property, commission a professional valuation from a qualified surveyor or estate agent. For bank accounts, shares, and insurance policies, use the statements you gathered in the previous step.
Also identify all liabilities: mortgage balances, credit cards, utility bills, and any other debts. The net estate value (assets minus liabilities) determines the Probate Office fees and any Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) — the tax on inheritances — that beneficiaries may owe.
File the Statement of Affairs Form SA.2 with Revenue
For deaths on or after 5 December 2001, complete the Statement of Affairs (Probate) Form SA.2 through Revenue's myAccount or ROS (Revenue Online Service) portal. This form details the estate's assets, liabilities, and beneficiaries. It replaced the old Inland Revenue Affidavit (Form CA.24).
Upload a copy of the will if one exists. Once you submit the form, Revenue issues a Notice of Acknowledgement. Print this notice and have all applicants sign it — you will need it for your Probate Office application.
Apply to the Probate Office
Complete the Personal Application Form and send it to the Probate Office along with the signed Notice of Acknowledgement from Revenue, the original death certificate, and photocopies of the will and any codicils (amendments to the will). Do not send the original will at this stage.
If the deceased lived in Dublin, Kildare, Meath, or Wicklow, submit to the Dublin Probate Office at Phoenix House, 15/24 Phoenix Street North, Smithfield, Dublin 7. For other counties, you can apply to Dublin or the relevant District Probate Registry. For step-by-step application instructions, see our guide on how to apply for a Grant of Probate.
Attend your Probate Office appointment and receive the Grant
The Probate Office schedules appointments approximately 10 to 12 weeks after receiving your personal application. At the appointment, a probate official reviews your documents, asks any clarification questions, and asks you to swear or affirm an oath confirming the information is correct.
You pay the Probate Office fee at this appointment. Fees for personal applicants range from €200 (estates up to €100,000) to €2,100 or more (estates over €1,000,000), based on the net value of the Irish estate. You can also order additional certified copies of the Grant.
After the appointment, the Grant of Probate is posted to you, usually within three weeks. For a full breakdown of fees, see our guide to probate costs and fees in Ireland.
Collect assets, pay debts, and distribute the estate
Once you have the Grant of Probate, present it to banks, the Land Registry, and other institutions to collect the estate's assets. You can now access frozen bank accounts, transfer property, and cash in investments.
Before distributing, place a notice for creditors under Section 49 of the Succession Act 1965. This protects you from personal liability for debts you were not aware of. Pay all known debts, funeral expenses, and any taxes owed by the estate.
Finally, distribute the remaining assets to the beneficiaries named in the will. Keep detailed accounts of everything you have received and paid out — beneficiaries are entitled to see these.
How long does each stage take?
The timeline varies depending on the estate's complexity, but the table below gives a realistic estimate for a straightforward estate with a valid will and no disputes.
| Stage | Typical timeline |
|---|---|
| Locate the will and gather documents | 1–4 weeks |
| Value the estate | 2–6 weeks |
| File Form SA.2 with Revenue | 1–2 weeks |
| Submit application to Probate Office | 1 week |
| Wait for Probate Office appointment | 10–12 weeks (personal) — varies for solicitor applications (check courts.ie) |
| Attend appointment and receive Grant | 3 weeks after appointment |
| Collect assets, pay debts, distribute | 2–6 months |
In total, a straightforward estate typically takes 6 to 12 months from start to finish. Complex estates can take significantly longer. Our guide to how long probate takes in Ireland explains each stage in detail.
What if there is no will?
When someone dies without a will, the estate is said to be “intestate.” The process is similar to probate, but instead of a Grant of Probate, the next of kin applies for a Grant of Administration. The estate is distributed according to the rules of intestacy in the Succession Act 1965 rather than the wishes of the deceased.
The key difference is that the court determines who has the right to apply: the surviving spouse or civil partner has first priority, followed by children, parents, then siblings. The steps for valuing the estate, filing with Revenue, and applying to the Probate Office remain essentially the same.
Should you get professional help?
You can complete the probate process yourself — the Probate Office accepts personal applications, and many executors handle straightforward estates without a solicitor.
However, the Courts Service requires you to use a solicitor in certain situations, including where the applicant is under 18, the original will is lost, the will's validity is in question, there are disputes among next of kin, or the applicant lacks legal capacity.
Even where a solicitor is not legally required, professional guidance is worth considering when the estate includes property that needs to be sold or transferred, foreign assets or cross-border tax exposure, business interests, or multiple beneficiaries with competing expectations.