Wills & Probate solicitors in Athlone

Applications go to the registry for the county where the person lived. For Athlone, that's the Mullingar District Probate Registry (Westmeath and Offaly) — or the Galway registry for Co. Roscommon addresses. You can apply through a solicitor or as a personal applicant.

The estate is divided under the Succession Act 1965. For example, a spouse or civil partner with no children inherits everything; with children, the spouse takes two-thirds and the children share one-third. Usually the next of kin applies for a grant of letters of administration.

A spouse or civil partner is entitled to a 'legal right share' — half the estate if there are no children, a third if there are — whatever the will says. A child can apply to court under section 117 of the Succession Act if a parent failed to provide for them properly; this must be brought within six months of the grant.

To practise in Ireland a solicitor must be on the Roll of Solicitors kept by the Law Society of Ireland and hold a current practising certificate. You can search any solicitor or firm on the Law Society's Find a Solicitor register. Complaints about a solicitor's services or conduct go to the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA). Lawvoo lists firms from the details they publish themselves — check the register before you instruct a firm.