Deed of Family Arrangement

A Deed of Family Arrangement Ireland service lets the beneficiaries of an estate agree, after a death, to redirect how that estate is distributed — also known as a variation of will. It is aimed at families who have already inherited, or are about to inherit, and who want to rearrange those inheritances between themselves in a way that is more tax-efficient or better suited to their circumstances, using a deed prepared and reviewed by an Irish solicitor.

What’s included

• Drafting of a deed of family arrangement between the estate’s beneficiaries
• Advice on redirecting inheritances to make better use of Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) thresholds
• Tax analysis of the proposed variation, covering the CAT impact for each beneficiary
• Advice on the two-year window within which a variation can be made
• Preparation of the Revenue notifications required for the variation
• Coordination with the solicitor handling the grant of probate for the estate

Who this is for

• Families where one beneficiary wants to redirect some or all of their inheritance to another family member
• Beneficiaries who want to even out inheritances between siblings or other relatives for tax or fairness reasons
• Families looking to make more tax-efficient use of CAT thresholds before assets are formally distributed
• Executors or beneficiaries who have been advised that a deed of family arrangement could help with the wider administration of an estate

How it works

1. Contact a solicitor of your choice with the basic details of the estate and the variation you have in mind, uploading any existing documents or correspondence
2. Complete a short questionnaire so the solicitor can check the instruction is suitable and confirm scope, timeline and price
3. Work of this kind is carried out by a solicitor regulated by the Law Society of Ireland. We are not a solicitor’s practice and do not provide it — to instruct a solicitor, use the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory.
4. You receive the completed deed and Revenue notifications by email, with plain-English notes on what to do next

A deed of family arrangement must be made within two years of the death, and all beneficiaries affected by the variation must consent to it. Revenue approval may also be required.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a deed of family arrangement cost in Ireland?

This page is a free guide — nothing on it is for sale. Solicitors set their own fees for this work and must give you a written costs estimate (a section 150 letter) before starting. Get quotes through the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory.

How long do we have to put a deed of family arrangement in place?

A variation of this kind must generally be made within two years of the date of death, and every beneficiary affected by the change needs to consent to it before it can proceed.

Do all the beneficiaries need to agree?

Yes. A deed of family arrangement only works where every beneficiary whose share is affected by the proposed variation agrees to it and signs the deed.

For more on managing an estate in Ireland, see our wills and probate guide.

If you would like to be told when solicitor services are available again on this site, you can join our no-fee waiting list. To instruct a solicitor now, use the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory.