Receiving the Grant of Probate (or Grant of Administration) is a significant milestone — but it is not the end of the process. The Grant gives you the legal authority to deal with your loved one's assets. What follows is the practical work of collecting those assets, settling obligations, and distributing the estate. For context on the full timeline from application to completion, see our guide to how long probate takes in Ireland.
This guide walks through every step an executor needs to take after the Grant is issued, with realistic timeframes and practical advice for each stage. Whether the estate is straightforward or complex, following these steps in order helps you avoid mistakes and protects you from personal liability.
Seven steps after probate is granted
These steps should be followed broadly in order, though some — such as collecting assets and placing creditor notices — can run in parallel.
Order certified copies of the Grant
Place statutory notices to creditors
Collect the estate's assets
Pay debts, expenses, and taxes
Deal with property
Ensure beneficiaries file CAT returns
Distribute the estate and prepare final accounts
How long does the post-grant phase take?
The time from receiving the Grant to completing distribution varies significantly. A simple estate with bank accounts and no property can be wrapped up in three to five months. An estate with property to sell, multiple beneficiaries, or tax complications may take six months to a year or longer.
Order certified copies
1–2 weeks
1–2 weeks
Statutory creditor notices
4–6 weeks
4–6 weeks
Collecting assets (banks, insurers, investments)
2–4 weeks
2–4 months
Paying debts and taxes
2–4 weeks
2–3 months
Property transfer or sale
4–8 weeks (assent)
3–6 months (sale)
CAT returns and payment
Concurrent
Concurrent
Final distribution
1–2 weeks
2–4 weeks
Total after Grant issued
3–5 months
6–12+ months
Estimated timeframes after the Grant of Probate is issued. Individual circumstances will vary.
| Step | Simple estate | Complex estate |
|---|---|---|
| Order certified copies | 1–2 weeks | 1–2 weeks |
| Statutory creditor notices | 4–6 weeks | 4–6 weeks |
| Collecting assets (banks, insurers, investments) | 2–4 weeks | 2–4 months |
| Paying debts and taxes | 2–4 weeks | 2–3 months |
| Property transfer or sale | 4–8 weeks (assent) | 3–6 months (sale) |
| CAT returns and payment | Concurrent | Concurrent |
| Final distribution | 1–2 weeks | 2–4 weeks |
| Total after Grant issued | 3–5 months | 6–12+ months |
Protecting yourself as executor
As executor, you are personally responsible for administering the estate correctly. If you distribute assets without paying legitimate debts, you can be held liable for those debts up to the value of what was distributed. Two steps are essential for your protection.
The second protection is keeping thorough records. A detailed estate account — showing every asset collected, every debt paid, every distribution made — provides evidence that you acted properly if a beneficiary or creditor later raises questions.
Tax obligations after probate
Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) is the main tax that arises on inheritances in Ireland. CAT is charged at 33% on the value of an inheritance above the beneficiary's tax-free threshold. The current thresholds, effective from 2 October 2024, are: Group A (parent to child) €400,000, Group B (sibling, niece, nephew, grandchild) €40,000, and Group C (all other relationships) €20,000.
The obligation to file a CAT return (Form IT38) and pay any tax falls on the beneficiary, not the executor. However, as executor you should make beneficiaries aware of their obligations. The filing deadline depends on the valuation date: if it falls between 1 January and 31 August, the deadline is 31 October of that year; if between 1 September and 31 December, the deadline is 31 October of the following year.
You may also need to file a final income tax return for your loved one, covering the period from 1 January to the date of death. If any assets were sold during administration at a profit, Capital Gains Tax may apply. For estates with cross-border assets or complex tax situations, professional tax advice is strongly recommended.
Dealing with property after probate
Property is often the most complex asset in an estate. If a beneficiary is inheriting the property, the executor prepares an assent — a written document that transfers the title from the estate to the beneficiary. An assent transferring property in accordance with the will does not generally attract stamp duty, though stamp duty may apply if the beneficiary receives more than their entitlement. The assent and a certified copy of the Grant must be lodged with Tailte Eireann (formerly the Property Registration Authority) to update the register.
If the property is being sold, the executor acts as the vendor. The conveyancing process is essentially the same as any property sale, but the buyer's solicitor will require sight of the Grant to confirm the executor's authority to sell. Property sales during probate can take three to six months depending on the market and legal requirements. For an overview of how property sales affect the timeline, see our guide to why probate takes so long.
The executor's year
Section 62 of the Succession Act 1965 establishes what is known as the “executor's year.” It means that beneficiaries cannot bring proceedings against you for failure to distribute the estate before 12 months from the date of death. However, you should still distribute as soon as reasonably practicable.
After one year, beneficiaries can ask the executor to account for any delay. Legacies that remain unpaid after the executor's year may attract interest. This does not mean you should wait a full year if the estate is ready sooner — it simply means you are not legally required to rush.
Should you get professional help?
For simple estates — a bank account, no property, cooperative beneficiaries — many executors manage the post-grant steps without a solicitor. The process is straightforward if you follow the steps above and keep careful records.
Professional help is worth considering when the estate involves property (conveyancing requires legal expertise), cross-border assets, business interests, or beneficiaries who disagree. A solicitor can prepare the statutory notices, handle property transfers, and draft the final estate account. For a breakdown of what professional support typically costs, see our guide to probate costs and fees in Ireland.