Probate Costs & Fees in Ireland

Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you budget realistically and avoid surprises. This guide breaks down every cost involved in administering an estate in Ireland — from Probate Office fees to solicitor charges, professional valuations, and tax. For a broader overview of how probate works, see our complete guide to probate in Ireland.

Probate costs vary significantly from one estate to the next. A simple estate with a clear will and one bank account may cost under €2,000 in total. A complex estate with property, business interests, and cross-border assets can cost €15,000 or more. The sections below explain each cost so you know what to expect.

What does probate cost in Ireland?

Probate costs fall into six main categories. Some are fixed (Probate Office fees), some are negotiable (solicitor fees), and some depend entirely on the estate's circumstances (tax, valuations). The table below shows the typical range for each.

The total cost depends on how many of these categories apply to your estate. A straightforward estate with a valid will, no property, and no tax complications may only incur Probate Office fees and a modest solicitor charge. A larger estate with property, multiple beneficiaries, and Capital Acquisitions Tax exposure will incur most or all of these costs.

Probate Office filing fees

The Probate Office charges a filing fee based on the net value of the estate (assets minus liabilities). The law sets these fees and they are non-negotiable. Solicitor applications attract lower fees than personal applications — roughly half the cost at each band.

For estates over €1,000,000, the fee increases by €400 (solicitor) or €800 (personal) for every additional €500,000 or part thereof. A special grant (such as a duplicate grant or a grant to finish administering an estate started by another person) costs €150 for solicitor applications and €300 for personal applications.

Solicitor fees for probate

Solicitor fees are usually the single largest cost in the probate process. There is no standard fee — solicitors in Ireland charge using one of three models: a fixed fee, a percentage of the estate value, or an hourly rate.

Fixed fees for straightforward estates typically range from €2,000 to €5,000 plus VAT at 23%. Percentage-based fees are usually 1% to 2% of the gross estate value plus VAT. Hourly rates range from €150 to €350 per hour plus VAT.

Under Section 150 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015, your solicitor must provide a written costs notice before starting work. This notice must set out the fees (or the basis on which they will be calculated), likely outlays, and VAT. You have a cooling-off period of up to 10 working days to consider.

The Law Society of Ireland operates a Get a Quote scheme where participating firms provide written quotations for probate work. This is a useful starting point for comparing costs. For a full breakdown of how solicitors charge and how to compare quotes, see our guide to solicitors' fees for probate in Ireland.

Property valuations and conveyancing

If the estate includes property, two separate costs arise: a formal valuation and, if the property is being transferred or sold, a conveyancing fee.

Revenue requires a sworn valuation of every property in the estate at the date of death. This is used to calculate the estate's value for the Statement of Affairs (Probate) Form SA.2 and to determine any Capital Acquisitions Tax liability. A formal property valuation typically costs €250 to €500 per property. Some solicitors arrange the valuation; others ask the executor to organise it.

Conveyancing — the legal process of transferring or selling the property — is almost always charged separately from the probate solicitor's fee. Conveyancing fees typically range from €1,500 to €3,000 or more per property, plus VAT. Land Registry fees add €130 for a transfer to a beneficiary, or €400 to €800 for a sale.

Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT)

Capital Acquisitions Tax is Ireland's inheritance and gift tax. It is paid by the beneficiary, not by the estate. CAT is charged at 33% on the value of inherited assets above the relevant tax-free threshold. The threshold depends on the relationship between the beneficiary and the deceased.

A surviving spouse or civil partner is fully exempt from CAT on inheritances from their partner. The small gift exemption allows gifts of up to €3,000 per person per year without affecting CAT thresholds.

CAT thresholds are adjusted periodically through the Finance Act. The figures above reflect the thresholds effective from 2 October 2024. Always verify current thresholds with Revenue or a qualified tax advisor.

Other costs to expect

Beyond the main fees, several smaller costs can add up. These are often not mentioned in initial quotes and catch executors by surprise. For a deeper look at these expenses, see our guide to the hidden costs of probate.

What does probate cost for different estate types?

The total cost depends on the estate's complexity. Below are realistic examples based on typical fee ranges for Irish estates.

Simple estate (under €400,000, no property)

A straightforward estate with a valid will, one or two bank accounts, and no property or tax complications. If you apply personally, the total cost may be as low as €500 to €1,500 — mainly Probate Office fees, death certificates, and minor outlays.

Typical estate (€400,000–€600,000, with property)

An estate with a family home, bank accounts, and a small investment. Using a solicitor with a fixed fee, the total cost is typically €5,000 to €10,000 including solicitor fees, Probate Office fees, a property valuation, conveyancing, and outlays. Capital Acquisitions Tax may apply for non-spouse beneficiaries whose inheritance exceeds their group threshold.

Complex estate (over €1,000,000 or cross-border)

An estate with multiple properties, foreign assets, business interests, or cross-border tax exposure. Total costs can exceed €15,000 — solicitor fees alone may be €5,000 to €10,000 or more, plus tax advisor fees, multiple valuations, conveyancing on each property, and specialist insurance. Professional guidance is strongly recommended for estates of this complexity.

For help understanding whether your estate is simple or complex, see our guide to simple vs complex estates.

DIY probate vs professional help: a cost comparison

You can apply for probate yourself through the Probate Office's personal application process. This saves solicitor fees but means you handle every step — from valuing the estate to filing the Form SA.2 and distributing assets. The table below compares the typical costs for each approach.

For simple estates with a clear will, no property, and cooperative beneficiaries, a DIY application can work well. For anything more complex, the solicitor's fee often pays for itself by preventing errors that cause delays and additional costs. For a more detailed comparison, see our guide to DIY probate versus professional help.

How to reduce probate costs

You cannot avoid Probate Office fees or tax, but you can manage the costs within your control. The following steps help keep costs as low as reasonably possible.

Who pays probate costs?

All legitimate probate costs are paid from the estate, not from the executor's personal funds. This includes solicitor fees, Probate Office filing fees, valuations, statutory advertisements, tax advisor fees, and other outlays.

However, the executor may need to cover some costs upfront before estate funds are released — for example, death certificates, initial valuations, or newspaper notices. These can be reimbursed from the estate once bank accounts are accessible. Some solicitors offer deferred payment, taking their fees from the estate once the Grant is issued and assets are released.

Capital Acquisitions Tax is different: it is a liability of the beneficiary, not the estate. However, the executor has a duty to ensure beneficiaries are aware of any CAT liability before distributing assets.

How long probate takes and its effect on costs

The longer probate takes, the higher the costs. An empty property incurs insurance, maintenance, and security costs for every month it remains vacant. Delays in filing can lead to Revenue penalties on overdue CAT returns. Solicitors on hourly rates charge more when complications arise.

A straightforward estate typically takes six to 12 months from start to finish. Complex estates can take considerably longer. Reducing delays by gathering documents early, filing the Form SA.2 promptly, and resolving disputes early all help keep costs down. For more on what affects the timeline, see our guide to how long probate takes in Ireland.

Explore our costs and fees guides

This page is a comprehensive overview of probate costs in Ireland. For detailed guidance on specific cost topics, explore these guides: