By Liam Collins

A will that was only recently lodged in the Probate Office in Dublin pertains to Matthew Byrne, a retired farmer of Castlekelly, Tallaght, Co. Dublin who left €390,000. Byrne died on January 12, 1967 – some 51 years ago.

More recently, a Co. Clare farmer – Anthony O’Neill, of Kilmorane, Ennis – who died over 12 years ago on June 19, 2005, left €7,482,726 in his will, which was lodged in the Probate Office in Dublin last month.

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.