Probate and Estate Administration

1. Probate and Estate Administration Probate (or administration if the person died without a Will) is the process of obtaining the legal right to manage a deceased person’s estate. The executor must apply for a Grant of Probate, a legal document giving them the authority to deal with the deceased’s finances, assets, and possessions. The probate process ends once the estate has been identified, all taxes and debts have been paid, and the inheritance has been distributed. Probate is not always necessary. Following a bereavement, their solicitors will establish whether probate or administration is required and then offer support and advice on the next steps. When is a specialist probate solicitor required? Many people deal with probate on their own, particularly if they have the skills and time. But more complex cases may require the services of a specialist probate solicitor. Dealing with probate carries obligations and personal liabilities for those involved who may not be fully aware of what is required of them. In particular, you should consider using a professional: •Where you do not have sufficient time or expertise to deal with the estate •Where charities are named as beneficiaries •If the Will is being contested or there are concerns about the validity of the Will or any other dispute

2. •Where income or gains will need to be reported •If no Will was left – particularly for estates worth over £270,000 •Where dependents were not mentioned in the Will but are likely to claim the estate •If the Will is complex or features trusts •Where foreign property or assets are involved •If the estate is insolvent •When the estate may be liable for inheritance tax •If the estate contains business or agricultural assets How Solicitor Finglas can help? Their specialist probate solicitors, qualified tax advisors, estate practitioners, and trust administrators can advise on many complex questions that may arise when dealing with a person’s estate following their death. Whatever the size of the estate, whatever type of assets form part of the estate, and whether the deceased died intestate or has a Will or trusts that need to be administered, their experienced probate specialists can help. They are experts in negotiating with revenue & customs to minimize the amount of inheritance tax that has to be paid and they can also advise on post-death variations of the Will to maximize the value of the estate. If you have been appointed as an executor or an administrator, they can support and advise you as you carry out your duties to wind up the estate. They are experienced in dealing with all sizes of estates. Probate Costs Their charges are transparent. They do not charge any “added value” element, so you only pay for the work that you need their expert assistance with. For example, where the family or executors can deal with much of the work themselves, they can support them with their Grant Only Service. This is a fixed fee service to obtain the Grant of Probate or administration based on the information and evidence that they supply. Contact Us: Website: http://www.oreillydoherty.ie/