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Inheritance law in Galway follows Irish law, applied nationwide across the Republic of Ireland. The key rules cover wills, intestacy, executors, and the administration of estates. If you live in Galway and someone you know dies, you may need a solicitor to guide you through the probate process and ensure assets are distributed correctly.
In Galway, as in the rest of Ireland, the High Court Probate Office handles grants of representation, which allow the legal handling of a deceased person’s estate. The process can involve collecting assets, paying debts, and distributing assets to beneficiaries under a valid will or the rules of intestacy. Working with a Galway solicitor who specialises in wills and probate helps you navigate complexity and timing, particularly for property in the region or assets held in Irish banks and companies.
You are named as executor in a Galway will and must apply for a Grant of Probate. This requires gathering death certificates, the will, asset statements, and creditor claims, then filing with the Probate Office. A solicitor can prepare the application and handle correspondence with banks and asset holders in Galway and beyond.
A will is being challenged by a family member in Galway. You need a solicitor to assess capacity, evidence of undue influence, or revocation issues and to represent your position in court or mediation.
No will exists (intestacy). Your spouse, children, or other relatives in Galway may have conflicting expectations about who inherits. A solicitor can advise on the statutory distribution scheme under Irish law and help file for Letters of Administration where needed.
Assets include a Galway house, bank accounts, and farmland with cross-border or foreign holdings. A solicitor can coordinate probate in Ireland and, if relevant, cross-border succession rules under EU law to ensure timely administration.
You suspect mismanagement of the estate by the executor or administrator. A lawyer can request accounting, address delays, and pursue remedies through negotiation or escalation to the courts if necessary.
You face inheritance tax and want to understand Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) implications for a Galway heir. A solicitor can plan with you to maximise reliefs and comply with reporting requirements.
Key statutes govern wills, intestacy, and taxation of inheritances in Ireland, with Galway residents benefiting from the same framework as the rest of the country. The major provisions include the following statutes and concepts:
"Capital Acquisitions Tax is charged on gifts and inheritances above certain thresholds, with rates and reliefs varying by relationship to the disponer."
These laws apply to assets located in Galway as well as assets elsewhere. The Courts Service explains how a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration authorises the personal representative to deal with an estate. For practical guidance on wills, probate and related matters in Ireland, you can consult Citizens Information.
Useful authorities: gov.ie - Wills and probate guidance, Revenue - Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT), Courts Service - Probate, Citizens Information - Wills and probate
A Grant of Probate is the official permission to deal with a deceased person’s assets under a will. You typically need it when you administer or distribute an estate in Galway. The executor must apply to the Probate Office for the grant.
A will specifies who inherits and how assets are distributed. Intestacy applies when there is no valid will, and the state distribution rules determine heirs in Galway.
Costs include solicitors’ fees, court fees, and potential expert fees. Fees vary by estate size and complexity. A solicitor can provide a clear estimate after reviewing the will and assets.
Timelines vary widely. Simple cases can take 6 to 9 months; more complex estates, especially with multiple properties or foreign assets, can take a year or more.
While you can draft a will yourself, a Galway solicitor reduces risks of invalid provisions or disputes later. A professional will also help ensure it complies with Irish legal standards.
Dependents include spouses, civil partners, children, and in some cases other family members who relied on the deceased for maintenance. The court considers individual circumstances.
Executors administer estates with a will. Administrators handle estates when there is no will. Both seek a grant from the Probate Office before distributing assets.
Yes, you can challenge a will on grounds such as lack of capacity, undue influence, or failure to provide reasonable provision for dependents. Seek advice promptly to preserve rights.
Wills are typically not registered in a central public register in Ireland. You should keep your will in a safe place and inform your solicitor and executors of its location.
Inheritance tax in Ireland is charged as Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) above thresholds. The rate and reliefs depend on the relationship between the disponer and the beneficiary.
Assets abroad may require probate in other jurisdictions or recognition under EU cross-border rules. A Galway solicitor can coordinate Irish probate with foreign processes.
