When a loved one passes away, there are a number of legal processes that must be followed to distribute their estate to the beneficiaries. One such process is obtaining a Grant of Probate, which is a legal document that gives the executor of the estate the authority to deal with the deceased person’s assets. A similar process occurs without a will to obtain a Grant of Administration.
In Ireland, it is common to hire a solicitor to help with the probate process, including applying for and extracting the Grant of Probate. However, it is important to understand the legal fees associated with this process, as they can vary depending on the solicitor and the complexity of the case.
The fees charged by a solicitor for extracting a Grant of Probate are typically based on the value and complexity of the estate. In general, solicitors will charge either a fixed fee or an hourly rate for their services.
Fixed fees are often used for simpler cases where the value of the estate is relatively low and there are no complications. This fee would cover all of the work required to obtain the Grant of Probate, including preparing and filing the necessary paperwork with the Probate Office.
Hourly rates, on the other hand, are more commonly used for more complex cases where there are a lot of assets, disputes among beneficiaries, or other complications. Hourly rates can vary widely depending on the solicitor and their level of experience.
In addition to these fees, there may be other expenses associated with obtaining a Grant of Probate. For example, there is a fee payable to the Probate Office based on the value of the estate, which can range from €100 to €650+ depending on the size of the estate. There may also be additional expenses such as fees for valuing assets, court fees, and other disbursements.
The fees quoted for extracting a Grant of Probate, or applying for Grant of Administration do not typically include any fees incurred for a subsequent sale of property. Additional fees may also apply for subsequent applications to transfer properties into the names of beneficiaries and in respect of the preparing and filing of an inheritance tax return.
It is important to carefully review any quotations received for fees to ensure it covers all work required to be undertaken.
At Sweeney McHugh Solicitors we have extensive experience in Probate and the administration of estates. Please feel free to contact us for a no-obligation quotation.