Inheritance, Probate & Wills · Ireland
Inheritance, Probate & Wills lawyers in Ireland
If you need to draft a will, administer an estate or contest a probate matter in Ireland, we match you with a local solicitor who understands Irish succession law. Our free service takes the guesswork out of finding the right lawyer, with no obligation and a response within 24–48 hours.
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- Specialists in wills, probate and succession disputes
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Overview
Inheritance, Probate & Wills in Ireland
Finding the right Inheritance, Probate & Wills lawyers in Ireland can make the difference between a smooth estate administration and costly disputes. Ireland is a common-law jurisdiction with a written Constitution, and the Succession Act 1965 gives a testator broad freedom while reserving a legal right share for a spouse or civil partner. Capital Acquisitions Tax at 33% and compulsory land registration through Tailte Éireann add further steps. Whether you are drafting a will, applying for probate, administering an estate or contesting a will, we match you with a local solicitor who understands these rules. Our free service connects you with a lawyer who handles inheritance, probate and wills in your county, without obligation and usually within 24–48 hours.
Ireland · Succession essentials
How inheritance, probate and wills work in Ireland
Ireland is a common-law jurisdiction, not a codified civil-law system, so court decisions and the Constitution of 1937 sit alongside Acts of the Oireachtas. For inheritance matters, the Succession Act 1965 sets out testamentary freedom and the legal right share of a spouse or civil partner. The split legal profession, Capital Acquisitions Tax and compulsory land registration shape how probate and estates are handled in practice.
Testamentary freedom and the legal right share
In Ireland a testator may generally dispose of property freely by will. Children have no automatic fixed share. A surviving spouse or civil partner, however, is entitled to a legal right share under the Succession Act 1965: one-half of the estate if there are no children, or one-third if there are children, regardless of the will.
Solicitors and barristers in probate matters
Solicitors regulated by the Law Society of Ireland are usually the first point of contact for probate and estate administration. They must hold an annual practising certificate. Barristers, regulated by The Bar of Ireland, may be briefed through a solicitor for contentious probate proceedings or specialist opinions.
Capital Acquisitions Tax on inheritances
Inheritances are subject to Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) at 33% on the taxable value above a tax-free group threshold. The threshold depends on the relationship between the deceased and the beneficiary. Transfers between spouses or civil partners are exempt. Beneficiaries must self-assess and file a CAT return (Form IT38) where taxable benefits exceed 80% of the relevant threshold.
Land ownership and title registration
Ownership of land is recorded either in the Registry of Deeds or, increasingly, in the Land Registry administered by Tailte Éireann. Since 1 June 2011 first registration of unregistered property purchased in Ireland has been compulsory. The Land Registry guarantees title, providing strong, state-backed security of ownership.
Court jurisdiction in succession disputes
The court with jurisdiction depends on the value of the claim: the District Court hears claims up to €15,000, the Circuit Court up to €75,000 (€60,000 for personal-injury actions), and the High Court has unlimited jurisdiction above those limits. Ireland has no civil code; case law and the Constitution are primary sources.
Data verified from official Irish sources (e-Justice, Irish Statute Book, government bodies and professional regulators), accessed February 2025.
- National justice systems – Ireland (e-Justice)
- Law Society of Ireland – Practising Certificate
- Succession Rights in Ireland (Gov.ie)
- Revenue – Gift and Inheritance Tax (CAT)
- Tailte Éireann – Land Registry compulsory registration
- Courts Service – What the courts do
- Statute of Limitations 1957, s.11 (contract and tort)
- Statute of Limitations 1957, s.13 (recovery of land)
- Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004, s.7 (personal injuries)
- Defamation Act 2009, s.38
- Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996
- Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, s.8
Common challenges
Inheritance, probate and wills problems we help solve
From unclear wills to tax and land registration steps, we connect you with a lawyer who handles these issues every day.
Unclear will or intestacy
If a relative dies without a will, the intestacy rules and the spouse’s legal right share may not match the family’s expectations. We match you with a solicitor who handles estate administration and explains who inherits.
CAT and tax surprises
A beneficiary may face a 33% Capital Acquisitions Tax charge on an inheritance above the group threshold. We connect you with a lawyer who advises on CAT returns and estate planning.
Probate and land registration delays
Dealing with court applications, the Land Registry and Tailte Éireann can be time-consuming. We match you with a probate solicitor who manages the paperwork and title registration.
Why use our matching service
Four reasons to find your lawyer through us
Free, fast and tailored to Irish succession law.
Local expertise
We match you with solicitors who understand Irish succession law, the Succession Act 1965 and Capital Acquisitions Tax. They handle probate, will drafting and estate administration in your county.
Fast, free matching
Our service costs nothing. Tell us about your inheritance or probate matter and we respond within 24–48 hours with a shortlist of vetted lawyers in Ireland.
No obligation
Compare profiles and speak with a lawyer before deciding. There is no fee to use the matching service, and you choose whether to proceed with the lawyer.
Nationwide coverage
From Dublin and Cork to Galway and Waterford, we work with solicitors in all main Irish cities and counties who handle wills, probate and succession disputes.
Other jurisdictions
Find a lawyer in another country
If your inheritance matter crosses borders, we can also match you with specialised lawyers in these European countries.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Inheritance, Probate & Wills lawyers in Ireland
What do Inheritance, Probate & Wills lawyers in Ireland do?
They advise on will drafting, estate planning, obtaining probate or letters of administration, administering estates, and handling succession disputes. Because Ireland is a common-law jurisdiction with a split legal profession, a solicitor is usually your first point of contact and may brief a barrister for contentious probate.
Does a spouse automatically inherit everything in Ireland?
No. A testator has broad testamentary freedom, but a surviving spouse or civil partner has a legal right share under the Succession Act 1965: one-half of the estate if there are no children, or one-third if there are children, regardless of the will. Children have no automatic fixed share.
What is Capital Acquisitions Tax on an Irish inheritance?
Inheritances are subject to Capital Acquisitions Tax at 33% on the taxable value above a tax-free group threshold. The threshold depends on the relationship between the deceased and the beneficiary. Transfers between spouses or civil partners are exempt. Beneficiaries must self-assess and file a CAT return where required.
Who can apply for probate in Ireland?
Probate and estate administration in Ireland are typically handled by solicitors, who are regulated by the Law Society of Ireland and hold an annual practising certificate. The lawyer identifies the person entitled to apply under the will or the Succession Act 1965 and manages the process.
How are probate disputes resolved in Ireland?
Probate disputes may be resolved in the courts. The court with jurisdiction depends on the value of the claim: the District Court hears claims up to €15,000, the Circuit Court up to €75,000, and the High Court has unlimited jurisdiction above those limits. Ireland is a common-law system without a civil code.
Do I need a barrister for an inheritance matter?
Usually no. In Ireland there is no general requirement to be represented by a lawyer, and barristers are normally instructed only through a solicitor. For non-contentious probate and estate administration a solicitor is sufficient; a barrister may be briefed for court advocacy or specialist opinions.
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