The short answer
A Grant of Probate is the grant issued where a deceased person left a valid will and an executor named in it is entitled to act. It confirms the executor's authority to administer estate assets. If there is no will, or the executor route is unavailable, a different form of Grant of Representation may be required.
Do you always need a Grant of Probate?
No. The Courts Service notes that some jointly owned assets may pass without probate and that a bank may release a lower-value sole account without a grant depending on its own rules. Where property or larger sole-name financial assets are involved, a grant is commonly required.
See Small Estate Probate in Ireland.
Step 1: locate the original will
Confirm the original signed will and any codicils, identify the executors and check that the named executor is willing and able to act. A lost original or a dispute about validity can change the procedure and may require a solicitor.
Step 2: identify and value the estate
Build a schedule of assets and liabilities using values as required for the estate and probate process. This can include property, bank accounts, investments, vehicles, personal possessions and debts.
Step 3: submit the probate information to Revenue
For modern estates, the personal representative or solicitor generally completes Revenue's online Statement of Affairs (Probate) Form SA.2. Revenue then generates a Notice of Acknowledgement for the probate application.
Step 4: apply through the correct Courts Service route
An executor may make a personal application where the estate and applicant are eligible, or instruct a solicitor. The Courts Service publishes separate current procedures for personal and solicitor applications.
The current Probate Portal is for eligible solicitor applications for Grants of Probate; personal applicants follow the Courts Service personal-application process instead.
Step 5: answer any Probate Office queries
Names, dates, estate values, executor details and the will need to be consistent. Missing or conflicting information can result in queries and delay.
How long does a grant take?
There is no reliable fixed national number. Processing times change with workload, application route and whether queries arise. The Courts Service publishes current processing information, so use that rather than a static “6 to 16 weeks” promise.
See our current Probate Timeline guide.
How much does it cost?
Probate Office fees depend on the net value of the estate and whether the application is personal or made by a solicitor. Professional legal, tax and valuation fees are separate from the court fee.
See Probate Fees Ireland 2026 for the current Courts Service fee bands.
What happens after the grant issues?
The executor can use the grant to collect or transfer estate assets within its scope, settle liabilities and administration expenses, deal with tax and ultimately distribute the remaining estate in accordance with the will.
Getting the grant is therefore a major milestone, not the end of estate administration.
Grant of Probate vs Letters of Administration
| Grant | Typical situation |
|---|---|
| Grant of Probate | Valid will and executor entitled to prove it |
| Letters of Administration | No valid will |
| Administration with Will Annexed | Will exists but the executor route is unavailable |
Planning ahead rather than administering an estate?
A clear will can make entitlement and instructions easier to establish. If your own circumstances are straightforward, choose the matching Irish will template.
Official references
Important: This is general information on non-contentious probate. The correct grant and procedure depend on the will, estate and applicant's entitlement.
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