Probate timeline estimator Ireland
How long will probate take for your specific case? This estimator uses the current Dublin Probate Office and District Registry processing times, plus your estate's complexity, to produce a realistic timeline.
Timeline estimate
What drives the timeline
The full probate timeline breaks into three phases:
- Preparation (4 to 10 weeks). Gathering documents, writing to institutions for balance confirmations, completing the SA2 on Revenue myAccount, preparing the application. Most of this is waiting for institutions to reply.
- Registry processing (8 to 14 weeks). From submission to receipt of the Grant. Dublin Principal Probate Office is the busiest; District Registries are often faster for local estates.
- Administration (2 to 6 months after Grant). Collecting assets, selling property if required, paying debts, distributing to beneficiaries, requesting Revenue clearance, closing the estate.
Current processing times (April 2026)
- Dublin Principal Probate Office: 10 to 12 weeks for personal applications, plus 3 weeks postal return of the Grant.
- Cork, Limerick, Galway District Registries: typically 6 to 10 weeks, slightly faster than Dublin.
- Other District Registries: variable, often 4 to 8 weeks for straightforward cases.
Times fluctuate with staffing, training closures, and seasonal volumes. Always check courts.ie for the current position before relying on any estimate.
This calculator is a preparation tool using Irish tax rates and rules for 2026. It is not legal or tax advice. For complex estates, consult a solicitor or tax adviser. All values are estimates based on the information you provide.