Time it takes to settle a loved one's affairs after they die depends on where application is made

When a person dies, probate is the legal process of distributing their property and assets to family members and beneficiaries. File picture

It can take up to 10 times longer to settle a loved one’s affairs after they die depending on where in Ireland you apply for probate, a new analysis has claimed.

The life assurance and pension firm Royal London Ireland found that the time can vary from an average of two weeks waiting time in Limerick for probate applications received from solicitors to 18 weeks in Cork.

“There are a myriad of reasons why probate can be delayed, such as a complex estate, a large number of beneficiaries in the estate, and difficulties locating wills — if indeed there is a will in place,” its propositions director Joe Charles said.

“But our analysis clearly shows that where you apply for probate in the country can also have a significant bearing on the length of time it takes to complete probate.

“These variations are likely driven by many factors such as the volume of probate applications coming into a specific office, any backlog that has built up, and any staff shortages or retirements.” 

When a person dies, probate is the legal process of distributing their property and assets to family members and beneficiaries.

You can either submit a probate application to the Dublin probate office or to the specific probate office or district probate registry covering the area where the deceased lived at the time of their death.

The average waiting time was 11 weeks on a national basis last year, but Royal London Ireland said results vary significantly around the country, according to answers to parliamentary questions.

In the Cork district probate office, the average probate processing time is four weeks for personal applications and 18 weeks for probate applications received from solicitors, it said.

While Limerick had the shortest wait times for applications from a solicitor, the average wait time for personal applications was six weeks.

In Waterford, the average probate processing time was two weeks for personal applications — the shortest time for such applications — but 10 weeks for probate applications from solicitors.

Mr Charles said probate delays can create multiple practical difficulties for people while they mourn a loved one.

He said:

For example, until probate is complete, the deceased’s bank accounts and payments may be frozen and access to other investments in their name may be inaccessible.

“This can make it difficult for those left behind to access essential funds, to pay for expenses that still need to be paid such as ongoing household bills and also in these cases, for the funeral. 

"In addition, probate delays can have a knock-on effect on the processing of life insurance policy claims, and in turn how quickly life assurance claims can be paid following the death of a loved one.” 

The firm added that there has been ongoing modernisation of the Irish probate system with new reforms improving waiting times.

This has included the roll-out of an eProbate project which started in 2023. Its online portal has been launched nationally and is expected to allow faster processing of applications and cut waiting times.

“As the national roll-out of the new online probate system is in its early days, time will tell what turnaround times the new system will bring but indications so far are that probate wait times will be substantially reduced,” Mr Charles added.