By Liam Collins

John Broderick, a farmer from The Hermitage, Doneraile, Co. Cork, who died on April 19, 2016 has left €11,063,582 in his will.

Other wills of farmers and retired farmers recently lodged in the Probate Office in Dublin were as follows:

  • Robert B. McCarrick, of Pelletstown, Drumree, Co. Meath, who died on October 10, 2016, left €9,169,744 in his will;
  • Michael Lynch, Bauravilla, Skibbereen, Co. Cork, who died on December 9, 2015 has left €1,039,886 in his will;
  • Agatha O’Halloran, of Piercetown, Dunboyne, Co. Meath who died on January 3, 2017, left estate valued at €775,570;
  • John Cassidy, Crossguns, Castletown Kilpatrick, Navan, Co. Meath who died on September 26, 2016, left €529,978;
  • William Dixon, Ballivor, Co. Meath, who died on July 14, 1993 left €520,000;
  • Ethal Rhona Haley, Kilcarn, Navan, Co. Meath who died on December 26, 2016, left €515,168.

When someone dies their property immediately passes into the hands of the executor. In order for their property to be divided according to their wishes, the executor of their estate must apply to the Probate Office to certify that the will is valid and that all legal, financial and tax matters are in order – so that the executor or administrator can be allowed to get on with the job of distributing the estate.

The estate of the deceased cannot be administered until the grant of probate is received from the Probate Office.

The main functions of the office are: to proof wills; issue grants of probate and administration; preserve probate records for inspection; provide certified copies of probate documents and to process court applications to the probate judge.

The value of estates may include property, including the family home, and should not be regarded as cash amounts.

As can be seen from the aforementioned, though one farmer died in 1993 – some 24 years ago – his will just came through the Probate Office in Dublin in recent weeks.