What is probate?

Probate is the legal process of administering someone's estate after they die. It involves proving the will is valid (or if there's no will, appointing administrators), valuing the estate, paying any debts and taxes, and distributing assets to beneficiaries.

The executor named in your will needs to apply for a 'grant of probate' from the Probate Registry. This legal document gives them the authority to access the deceased person's bank accounts, sell property, and distribute the estate.

Probate typically takes 6-12 months for straightforward estates, but can take much longer if the estate is complex or if there are disputes. Most banks, building societies, and other institutions won't release funds without seeing the grant of probate.

Not all estates need probate - small estates or jointly-owned assets that pass automatically to the surviving owner may not require it. However, most estates with property or significant savings will need to go through probate.