Being an Executor of a Will in Ireland: What You Actually Do

If you have been named as an executor of a will in Ireland, you are taking on a job with real legal duties, real deadlines, and real personal liability. This guide explains, in plain English, what an executor actually does — from the day after the death through to the final distribution of the estate — what it typically costs, and how long it takes.

Quick answer: An executor of a will in Ireland is the person legally responsible for administering the deceased person’s estate — gathering assets, paying debts and taxes, applying for the Grant of Probate, and distributing what is left to the beneficiaries named in the will. The job usually takes 9 to 18 months and the executor is personally liable for mistakes. Most executors in Ireland use a solicitor to handle the probate application and tax filings on a fixed fee.

What is an executor of a will?

An executor of a will is a person (or sometimes a professional, such as a solicitor) named in the will to carry out the deceased’s wishes. The Succession Act 1965 gives the executor the legal authority to deal with the estate, but that authority only becomes effective once a Grant of Probate is issued by the Probate Office of the High Court.

You can have one executor or up to four. Co-executors must usually act together. If an executor predeceases the testator, dies during the process, or refuses to act, the remaining executor(s) continue the work — or, if none can act, the estate is administered as if there were no will.

Can you refuse to be an executor?

Yes. Being named as executor of a will does not force you to take the role. Before you do anything that suggests you have accepted (this is called “intermeddling” — for example, paying a utility bill from the deceased’s account), you can formally renounce by signing a Deed of Renunciation. The role then passes to any co-executor, or to the residuary beneficiary as administrator with will annexed.

Once you have started administering the estate, you generally cannot step back — you must apply to court to be removed, which is rarely granted.

The executor’s job, step by step

1. Locate the original will and register the death

The original will (not a photocopy) is required. It is usually held by the deceased’s solicitor or in a safe at home. The death must be registered with the General Register Office, and you will need multiple certified copies of the death certificate — banks, the Revenue Commissioners, and the Probate Office each want their own.

2. Notify beneficiaries and protect the estate

Write to each beneficiary named in the will to let them know they have been named and that you are starting the administration. At the same time, secure the assets: change locks on any vacant property, arrange insurance, and stop direct debits where appropriate.

3. Value the estate

You need a snapshot of every asset and liability as at the date of death. That means:

• Bank and credit union balances (request a date-of-death balance from each institution)
• Property valuations — usually obtained from an estate agent or chartered surveyor
• Pensions, life policies, shares, and any business interests
• Debts: mortgage, credit cards, loans, utility bills, funeral costs

4. Apply for the Grant of Probate

This is the central legal step. The application includes the original will, the Statement of Affairs (Probate) Form SA.2 filed with Revenue, an Inland Revenue Affidavit, and the Oath of Executor. Most executors in Ireland have a solicitor prepare and lodge this paperwork. Once the Grant issues, you can deal with the assets in the deceased’s name.

5. Pay debts, taxes, and Capital Acquisitions Tax

From the estate funds, settle all valid debts in priority order. File any outstanding income tax returns up to the date of death, plus a return for the period of administration. Each beneficiary is responsible for their own Capital Acquisitions Tax (inheritance tax) — see our probate fees in Ireland guide for typical figures.

6. Distribute the estate and prepare the final accounts

Once debts and taxes are paid and at least six months have passed since the Grant (to protect against late creditor claims), you can distribute the remainder to the beneficiaries. You should prepare estate accounts showing every receipt and payment, and have the residuary beneficiaries sign them off.

How long does executing a will take in Ireland?

For a straightforward estate — a house, a couple of bank accounts, no disputes — the process typically takes 9 to 12 months from death. Estates involving foreign assets, business interests, a contested will, or unclear beneficiaries can take 18 months to 3 years. Probate Office processing times have improved in recent years but a complete file generally takes 2 to 4 months to be granted after lodgement.

What does it cost to act as an executor?

Acting as an executor is unpaid unless the will provides otherwise. However, the estate pays the costs of administration. Typical professional costs in Ireland are:

• Solicitor’s probate fee: commonly charged as a fixed fee or a small percentage of the estate. We publish ours up-front.
• Probate Office stamping fee: set by the Court Service, depending on the gross estate value
• Valuation fees: €150–€400 per property
• Newspaper notices to creditors (optional but protective): €100–€300

For a full breakdown of typical figures, see our 2026 guide to probate fees in Ireland.

What if the executors disagree?

Co-executors must usually act jointly. If you cannot agree on selling a property, paying a debt, or distributing a specific bequest, you can apply to the High Court to resolve the dispute — but this is expensive and slow. In practice, most disagreements are resolved by clear communication and, where helpful, by appointing a solicitor to mediate between the executors.

Personal liability — what executors should know

Executors are personally liable if they distribute the estate before paying debts and taxes, miss a beneficiary, or fail to keep proper accounts. This is the single most important reason most executors in Ireland use a solicitor: the solicitor takes responsibility for the technical compliance steps, leaving the executor to make the family decisions.

What happens if there is no executor — or no will?

If there is a will but no executor able or willing to act, the residuary beneficiary applies for a Grant of Administration with Will Annexed. If there is no will at all, the estate is distributed under the intestacy rules in the Succession Act 1965 — see our making a will in Ireland guide for what happens by default if you die without one.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a solicitor to act as executor of a will in Ireland?

Legally, no. You can lodge a Personal Application at the Probate Office and administer the estate yourself. In practice, most executors instruct a solicitor because the executor is personally liable for errors, and the paperwork involves tax law that changes regularly.

How much does an executor get paid in Ireland?

Nothing, unless the will specifically provides for payment (common only when a professional executor is appointed). Executors can recover their out-of-pocket expenses — for example, travel to deal with the property — from the estate.

Can a beneficiary also be the executor of the will?

Yes, and this is very common. A surviving spouse or adult child is frequently named as both executor and a beneficiary. It is not a conflict of interest, but the executor still has the same fiduciary duties to all beneficiaries.

What happens if the executor delays?

Beneficiaries can apply to court to compel the executor to administer the estate — or, in extreme cases, to remove the executor. The Probate Office and the courts expect estates to be substantially administered within “the executor’s year” (12 months from death), although in practice it can take longer.

Can I be removed as an executor of a will?

Yes, the High Court can remove an executor for misconduct, conflict of interest, or failure to act. In practice this is rare and the court will usually give the executor a chance to put things right first.

Get fixed-fee help with your executor duties

If you have been named as an executor of a will in Ireland and want a clear, fixed-fee quote for the probate work — with the technical compliance handled by qualified Irish solicitors — book a consultation. We will tell you what we will do, what it will cost, and how long it will take, before you commit.

This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Every estate is different. For advice on your specific situation, please consult a qualified Irish solicitor. Online Legal Services is regulated by the Law Society of Ireland.

Need help with this? Fixed-fee help from regulated Irish solicitors: Fixed-Fee Conveyancing · Talk to a Property Solicitor.