Wills & Probate Solicitors for Ireland

At McCarthy + Co, we are here to provide compassionate, clear, and professional support for all your needs, whether it’s drafting a will, navigating probate, or managing a loved one’s estate. Our personalised service and meticulous attention to detail aim to bring you and your family peace of mind during what can be a challenging and emotional time.

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Our Wills & Probate Services

Our wills and probate solicitors have extensive experience in the following areas.

Estate Planning

Our estate planning services focus on helping you ensure that your assets are passed on according to your wishes.

Probate Disputes

Providing expert guidance to clients across Ireland in resolving complex probate matters with clarity and care.

Contesting a Will

Assisting clients who believe they have valid grounds to contest a will, including those claiming lack of testamentary capacity or undue influence.

Section 117 Applications

Advising our clients on their rights under Section 117 of the Succession Act 1965, together with preparing and filing the court application.

International Probate

Supporting clients with cross-border estate matters, ensuring efficient administration of assets located outside Ireland with sensitivity and precision.

Probate Fraud

Providing legal support in cases involving suspected fraud in the probate process, including forged wills, misappropriation of assets, and undue influence.

Inheritance Disputes

Providing expert guidance to those contesting a will or defending a claim against an estate, including disputes between beneficiaries.

Disinheritance Law

Advising our clients on whether they have a right to claim from an estate, and clearly explaining the options available.

Arrange a Consultation

Arrange a time to speak with an experienced wills & probate solicitor here at McCarthy + Co by completing our quick and confidential online form.

Helping You to Plan Ahead for Your Family’s Security & Peace of Mind

Planning for what happens to your estate after you pass away is essential for ensuring your wishes are honoured, loved ones are provided for, and disputes are minimised. It helps avoid legal complications, improves tax efficiency, and ensures your property is distributed fairly.

At McCarthy + Co Solicitors LLP, our wills and probate team is led by Joseph McCarthy, a seasoned solicitor with extensive experience dealing with probate matters. Joseph and his team assist clients across Ireland with a broad range of issues related to wills & probate, including:

Drafting Wills – We draft legally valid wills that clearly outline your wishes for the distribution of assets. Our team offers advice on tax implications, appointing executors, and naming guardians for children, while also addressing complex scenarios such as blended families or business assets. Our expertise reduces the risk of disputes and ensures the will adheres to Irish legal requirements.
Will Updates – Our team can assist you with amending wills to reflect changes in circumstances, such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of children.
Seeking a Grant of Representation – referred to as a “Grant of Probate” where there is a will and “Letters of Administration” where there is no will.
Estate Administration – Helping you to manage the process of gathering assets, paying debts, and distributing inheritance.
Dispute Resolution – Handling contested wills and probate disputes, including claims of undue influence or lack of testamentary capacity.
Inheritance Tax Advice – Advising on the implications of Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) and strategies for mitigating liabilities.
International Probate – Our team can assist in managing estates with overseas assets or foreign executors.

Whether you’re considering drafting a will or you’re a family member of a person who has passed away and require assistance regarding their estate, the McCarthy + Co team will be glad to assist you with any questions you may have. Arrange a time to speak with one of our solicitors here today by completing our confidential online form.

“From the very first contact we made with McCarthy + Co Solicitors, the reception staff displayed consistent professionalism and respect. Joseph agreed to represent us in a case that was far from straightforward. From the outset, to say the least he was extremely professional, efficient, approachable and direct – which we very much appreciated. He responded efficiently to all phone calls and emails and was empathetic and supported us all the way through what was an extremely challenging time, to ultimately achieve a positive outcome.”

Mags Galvin

Call us Freephone to Discuss Your Case:

1800 390 555

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Meet Joseph McCarthy

Joseph McCarthy is a partner at McCarthy + Co Solicitors LLP with extensive experience across a broad range of wills and probate matters. Since joining the team in 2013, his work has involved helping clients draft and update their wills, plan for the future through Enduring Powers of Attorney, and administer estates following the death of a loved one. He guides executors and beneficiaries through each stage of the probate process, ensuring that estates are managed correctly and that a person’s wishes are carried out as they intended.

Joseph also has considerable experience in contentious probate, helping clients resolve disputes over the validity of a will, disagreements between executors and beneficiaries, claims under the Succession Act 1965, and conflicts that arise where a person has died without a will. His work on both the planning and dispute resolution sides gives him a thorough understanding of how estates should be managed and where problems are most likely to arise. If you need advice on making a will, administering an estate, or resolving a probate dispute, and would like clear, confidential guidance, you can contact Joseph directly at joseph@mccarthy.ie.

Joseph McCarthy, Associate Solicitor, Wills & Probate

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions we are often asked in relation to estate planning.

Why is a solicitor necessary when drafting a will?

Hiring an experienced solicitor to draft your will ensures your wishes are clearly and legally documented, reducing the risk of disputes or errors. Your solicitor will provide expert advice tailored to your circumstances, including complex issues like inheritance tax, trusts, and care for dependants. They will also ensure compliance with legal formalities, preventing your will from being invalidated. By avoiding ambiguous language and addressing all potential issues, a solicitor helps safeguard your estate, ensuring it is distributed as intended.

What is a Grant of Probate?

A Grant of Probate is a legal document that authorises the executor named in a deceased person’s valid will to administer their estate. It confirms the will’s validity and provides the executor with the authority to gather assets, pay debts, and distribute the estate according to the will’s terms. Obtaining Probate involves submitting the will and required documentation to the Probate Office or relevant District Probate Registry. Without this grant, financial institutions and other parties may refuse access to the deceased’s assets.

What is a Grant of Administration?

A Grant of Administration is a legal document issued when a person dies without a will (intestate) or when no executor is named or able to act. It authorises an administrator, usually a close relative, to manage the deceased’s estate. The administrator is appointed according to intestacy laws and is responsible for gathering assets, paying debts, and distributing the estate to beneficiaries as prescribed by the law. As with the Grant of Probate, the process involves applying to the Probate Office or District Probate Registry and submitting the required documentation.

What are the Rules of Intestacy?

The Rules of Intestacy determine how a deceased person’s estate is distributed when they die without a valid will. The Succession Act 1965 outlines the order of entitlement. If the deceased has a spouse but no children, the spouse inherits the entire estate. If there are both a spouse and children, the spouse receives two-thirds, and the children share the remainder equally. If there is no spouse, the children inherit everything equally. In the absence of a spouse or children, the estate passes to parents, siblings, or more distant relatives, with the State inheriting if no relatives exist.