Wills & Probate Solicitor Swords
Clear advice for planning ahead and dealing with an estate
Whether you're making a Will to protect your family's future or dealing with the estate of someone who has died, having clear legal advice can make the process considerably easier.
Shannons Solicitors provides experienced Wills, Probate and Estate Administration services from our office on Main Street, Swords.
We help individuals and families throughout Swords, North County Dublin and beyond with everything from straightforward Wills to Grants of Probate, Grants of Administration and the administration of complex estates.
Our Wills & Probate Services
Our solicitors can assist with:
Making or updating a Will
Estate and succession planning
Probate
Grant of Probate applications
Grant of Administration applications
Estate administration
Intestacy – where someone dies without a Will
Executor advice
Property forming part of an estate
Inheritance matters
Enduring Powers of Attorney
Assisted Decision-Making
Making a Will
Making a Will is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure your affairs are dealt with according to your wishes.
A properly drafted Will allows you to decide who should inherit your assets, appoint the people you trust to administer your estate and make appropriate arrangements for those important to you.
Despite its importance, making a Will doesn't have to be complicated.
We'll discuss your circumstances, explain the decisions you need to make and prepare a Will that reflects your wishes.
Why Should I Make a Will?
A Will gives you greater control over what happens to your estate after your death.
It allows you to:
Decide who should inherit your property and assets
Appoint an Executor to administer your estate
Make specific gifts to family members, friends or charities
Make appropriate provision for family members
Address particular family circumstances
Consider succession and inheritance planning
Reduce uncertainty for your family
Without a valid Will, your estate will be distributed according to Ireland's intestacy rules rather than according to wishes that have not been legally documented.
What Should I Consider When Making a Will?
One of the first decisions is choosing your Executor.
Your Executor is responsible for dealing with your estate after your death, including gathering assets, dealing with liabilities and distributing the estate to the appropriate beneficiaries.
You'll also need to consider who should inherit your estate and whether you want to leave any particular assets or gifts to specific people.
Every family is different. We'll discuss your circumstances and explain the issues you should consider before your Will is finalised.
When Should I Update My Will?
Making a Will isn't necessarily a once-off exercise.
You should consider reviewing it when your circumstances change significantly, for example following:
Marriage or changes in relationships
Separation or divorce
The birth of children or grandchildren
Buying or selling significant property
Changes in your financial circumstances
The death of an Executor or beneficiary
Changes in your wishes
Even where nothing significant has changed, periodically reviewing your Will can help ensure it continues to reflect what you want.
Probate
What Happens When Someone Dies?
When a person dies, their assets and liabilities need to be identified and their estate may need to be formally administered.
Where there is a valid Will, the person appointed as Executor is generally responsible for administering the estate.
Depending on the assets involved, the Executor may need to obtain a Grant of Probate before property, money and other assets can be transferred or distributed.
Shannons Solicitors can guide Executors and families through the entire probate and estate administration process.
What Is a Grant of Probate?
A Grant of Probate is the legal document that confirms the Executor named in a valid Will has authority to administer the deceased person's estate.
It may be required before an Executor can deal with certain assets such as bank accounts, investments or property.
Not every estate is identical, so one of the first things we'll establish is whether a Grant is required and, if so, which type of Grant should be applied for.
What Happens If There Is No Will?
When someone dies without leaving a valid Will, they are said to have died intestate.
The estate is then distributed according to Irish intestacy law.
Instead of a Grant of Probate, it may be necessary to apply for a Grant of Administration so that an appropriate person has legal authority to administer the estate.
We can advise family members on who is entitled to apply and guide them through the administration process.
The Probate Process
Although every estate is different, the process will generally involve a number of stages.
Establish whether there is a valid Will
We identify the Will, Executor and beneficiaries, or determine the position where there is no Will.Identify the estate
Details of the deceased person's property, bank accounts, savings, investments, debts and other assets and liabilities are gathered.Deal with the necessary Revenue requirements
Relevant estate and tax information must be prepared as part of the probate process.Apply for the appropriate Grant
Where required, an application is made for a Grant of Probate or Grant of Administration.Collect the estate assets
Once the necessary authority is available, assets can be collected, transferred or sold as appropriate.Deal with debts and liabilities
Outstanding liabilities and expenses relating to the estate are addressed.Distribute the estate
Once the administration is complete, the remaining estate can be distributed to the beneficiaries in accordance with the Will or intestacy rules.
What Does an Executor Have to Do?
Acting as an Executor carries important legal responsibilities.
An Executor may need to:
Locate the original Will
Identify beneficiaries
Establish the deceased's assets and debts
Obtain property and financial information
Deal with Revenue requirements
Apply for a Grant of Probate
Collect estate assets
Deal with property
Pay outstanding debts and expenses
Distribute assets to beneficiaries
Keep appropriate estate records
You don't have to manage this process alone. We can advise you on your responsibilities and take care of the legal work involved in administering the estate.
Property and Probate
Property is often one of the most significant assets in an estate.
Depending on how a property was owned and the terms of the Will, it may need to be transferred to a beneficiary or sold as part of the administration of the estate.
As Shannons Solicitors also has an experienced property and conveyancing practice, we can deal with both the probate and property aspects of an estate, helping keep the process under one roof.
How Long Does Probate Take in Ireland?
There is no single timeframe that applies to every estate.
The time required can depend on factors such as the complexity of the estate, the assets involved, whether property needs to be sold, tax matters, the availability of documentation and whether any disputes or other complications arise.
We'll explain the likely process for your particular estate and keep you informed as matters progress.
Do I Need a Solicitor for Probate?
Not every estate is the same, and the responsibilities placed on an Executor can be significant.
A probate solicitor can establish what legal steps are required, prepare the necessary documentation, deal with the Probate Office and Revenue requirements and guide the Executor through the administration of the estate.
Professional advice can be particularly valuable where property, multiple beneficiaries, taxation issues, intestacy or other complexities are involved.
Probate & Wills Solicitors in Swords
Shannons Solicitors has been serving individuals and families from our Main Street, Swords office since 1978.
We regularly assist clients from Swords and throughout North County Dublin, including Malahide, Portmarnock, Howth and surrounding areas.
Whether you're planning ahead by making a Will or dealing with the estate of someone who has died, our approach is straightforward: we explain the process clearly, take care of the legal work and keep you informed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to make a Will?
The cost will depend on your circumstances and the complexity of the Will required. We can explain the fees before proceeding.
What happens if I die without a Will?
Your estate will generally be distributed according to the rules of intestacy. This may not reflect how you would personally have chosen to distribute your assets.
What is the difference between Probate and Estate Administration?
Probate generally refers to obtaining the legal authority required for an Executor to deal with an estate. Estate administration is the wider process of collecting assets, dealing with liabilities and ultimately distributing the estate.
What is the difference between a Grant of Probate and Grant of Administration?
A Grant of Probate is generally obtained by an Executor appointed under a valid Will. A Grant of Administration may be required where there is no valid Will or no Executor able to act.
Do all estates need probate?
No. Whether a Grant is required depends on the assets involved, their value and how they were owned. We can review the estate and advise what is required.
Can a house be sold during probate?
Property forming part of an estate can be sold as part of the administration process, but the appropriate legal authority and steps need to be in place. We can handle both the probate and conveyancing aspects of the transaction.
How long does probate take?
There is no fixed timeframe. Straightforward estates may progress more quickly, while estates involving property, tax issues, missing documentation, disputes or complex assets can take longer.
When should I make a Will?
Any adult with assets or people they wish to provide for should consider making a Will. It is particularly important following major life changes such as buying a home, having children or changes in family circumstances.
Need Help With a Will or Probate?
Whether you want to put your affairs in order or need help administering the estate of someone who has died, we're here to make the process clearer.