When a person dies, whether or not they have a Will, the people responsible for their estate may need to apply to the courts for probate. Probate is the process by which a Will is “proved” and accepted as valid. In the absence of a Will it is the permission to settle the estate according to the laws of intestacy.

The application for probate is made to a section of the court known as the Probate Registry. Once granted, a document known as the Grant of Probate is issued and confirms that the applicants are authorised to deal with the deceased’s affairs. In the absence of a valid Will, Letters of Administration will be issued.

The people who apply for the Grant of Probate and carry out the administration of the estate are known as the Executors. Executors must carry out a number of tasks including notifying the authorities and distributing the estate to the beneficiaries.