Probate & Estate Administration

When someone dies, there is a lot to deal with.

We help executors and administrators deal with the legal and practical work involved in administering an estate.

At D’Arcy & Co, estate administration is one of the areas of work on which we have deliberately focused for more than 20 years.

We deal with the application for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, the collection and transfer of assets, payment of liabilities, dealing with beneficiaries and the distribution of the estate.

Our job is to take care of the legal work and guide you through the process, so that you do not have to work out what needs to be done yourself.

What is involved in administering an estate?

Every estate is different. Some are relatively straightforward; others involve property, investments, tax issues, agricultural land, foreign assets or other complications.

Depending on the circumstances, we may deal with:

  • obtaining the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration;

  • identifying and dealing with the deceased's assets;

  • dealing with banks, financial institutions and other asset holders;

  • arranging the transfer or sale of property;

  • dealing with debts and liabilities;

  • dealing with Revenue and any tax issues arising;

  • identifying and communicating with beneficiaries;

  • preparing the necessary documentation for the distribution of the estate; and

  • bringing the administration of the estate through to completion.

We will explain what is required as the administration progresses and advise you when decisions need to be made.

Acting for executors and administrators

We normally act for the people responsible for administering an estate — the executors named in a will or, where there is no will, the administrators of the estate.

If you are an executor or administrator and have been left with the responsibility of dealing with an estate, we can take you through what needs to be done.

You do not need to know how to administer an estate before you contact us.

Estates involving property

Property is often one of the most significant parts of an estate.

We deal with the conveyancing work involved in selling or transferring property as part of the administration of an estate, as well as the probate work itself.

Because property and estate administration are both areas in which we specialise, we can deal with these aspects together rather than treating them as separate matters.

What will you need to provide?

When you first contact us, you do not need to have everything organised.

We will ask you for the information and documents we need as we go along.

This will normally include details of:

  • the deceased;

  • the will, if there is one;

  • the executors or administrators;

  • the deceased's property and other assets;

  • debts and liabilities; and

  • the beneficiaries of the estate.

We will explain what else is required once we know more about the estate.

What does estate administration cost?

There is no single fee that applies to every estate.

The amount of work involved depends on the circumstances of the estate — including the number and type of assets, property, beneficiaries, tax issues and any complications that arise.

For a straightforward estate, our fees will typically be in the region of €3,850 + VAT.

More complicated estates may cost more. We will give you an indication of the likely cost once we know what is involved.

You can also see our approach to fees on our Fees page.

A specialist firm

We don't try to do everything.

Our work is focused on property, wills and estates. We have been dealing with estate administration for more than 20 years and understand the many individual steps involved in bringing an estate to completion.

We aim to make the process as clear and straightforward as possible.

Property. Wills. Estates.

That's what we do.

Thinking about an estate?

If you are an executor or administrator and need help dealing with an estate, contact Audrey by email.

She will ask you for some initial information, explain how we work and give you an indication of what is involved.

There is no need to arrange an appointment or telephone us first.

Email Audrey at audrey@darcyandco.ie.