help with getting a copy of a will

tazwaz

Hi, i'm hoping to get some guidance on when and where I can get a copy of a will please.
My dad passed away a year ago and while my family and his wife (not our mam) didn't have any fall out we have ended up not communicating with each other which is why we dont want to ask her about a will.
He wasn't a wealthy man so we not looking for anything just being nosey I guess. Fairly hard to believe he didn't leave anything to any of his kids or his brother cause he really did dote on us and we were very close.
I've googled it and probate keeps coming up but how do we know if its gone to probate and how long would that take please?
Thanks

GusherING

If the grant of probate has been taken out by his executors, a copy of the will can be obtained from the Probate Office (the main one is in Dublin, but depending where your father lived, there are a couple of other probate district offices around the country). A grant of probate is a public document so the will would be an appendix to it. I think there is a small fee for getting a copy.

However if the solicitor has not yet applied for the grant, you may still have to wait unless the executors or wife decide to give you a copy.

You would expect most executors to have extracted the grant within a year of the testator dieing but it is hard to be certain as much depends on the assets in the estate and the complexity of sorting out their affairs. No two estates are ever the same.

Santa Cruz

If the will has not gone to Probate I think you would be justified in making an enquiry with the solicitor as to it's present status. If you are a beneficiary he may tell. If not he won't

Wheelnut

Do you know for definite That he made a will, maybe he died intestate.

If he died intestate and there are children (including yourself) of an estranged wife, plus a new wife who maybe also has children, there could be a complicated legal situation. It might be time to engage your own solicitor who can make enquiries bout the existence of a will.

tazwaz

Hi, thanks for all the replies, I really wouldn't have known where to start otherwise.
I rang the probate office, I must request a copy in writing and enclose a bank draft of E25. I explained that I wasn't sure if there even was a will and for E15 and a request in writing they can give me that info.

chops018

tazwaz wrote: »

Hi, thanks for all the replies, I really wouldn't have known where to start otherwise.
I rang the probate office, I must request a copy in writing and enclose a bank draft of E25. I explained that I wasn't sure if there even was a will and for E15 and a request in writing they can give me that info.

Absolute robbery.

boomtown84

If you are in Dublin you should go into the Probate Office in person. Fill in the slip (provided at the desk) requesting a copy of the will. They'll do a search. If there is a will you can request that a copy be sent out to your address. They sometimes just charge you the tenner for the copy (€15 for sealed & certified copy) and waive the search charge. If there isn't a will they might charge you the tenner for the search.

Santa Cruz

chops018 wrote: »

Absolute robbery.

Try dealing with solicitors and you will find all about robbery.

chops018

Santa Cruz wrote: »

Try dealing with solicitors and you will find all about robbery.

:rolleyes: I do everyday.