Will & Probate Donegal
Wills and probate services Letterkenny
Legal disputes can affect your personal life, your family or your business. At Fiona Kelly Solicitors in Letterkenny, we support clients across Donegal who find themselves in conflict.
Whether you are bringing a claim or defending one, our aim is to guide you through the legal process with clarity and care.
Our role as litigation solicitors is to help you understand your position under the law and take the right steps to protect your interests. Clients in Donegal contact us about personal injury, employment issues, business disagreements, property concerns and more.
If you have received a legal letter or been served with court papers, or if you are considering taking action against another party, it is important to get legal advice as early as possible.
Short updates at key points
Clear guidance on wills and probate
Support for executors and families
In person and video appointments across Donegal
Unsafe workplaces
Careful document preparation
Enduring power of attorney
An enduring power of attorney allows someone you trust to help with finances and personal care decisions if you lose capacity. We explain the roles, the safeguards and the registration process. We prepare the forms and arrange the legal notices. You choose your attorney and the limits on their powers so that your values are respected.
Explain roles and safeguards
Prepare and register the forms
Arrange required legal notices
Set limits that match your wishes
General power of attorney
A general power of attorney can be useful for a short period. It lets a person you choose act for you while you are abroad or recovering from illness. We draft the document and set clear boundaries so that it does exactly what you need and nothing more.
Short term authority when needed
Useful during travel or recovery
Clear scope and boundaries
Document drafted to your needs
Administration of estates
The estate of a deceased individual must be collected and dispersed. We guide the executor or administrator through each stage. We prepare the application for a grant and we deal with banks, insurers and state bodies. We arrange for property to be transferred and for debts and taxes to be settled. We keep beneficiaries informed in a respectful way.
Guide executors and administrators through each stage
Prepare the grant application
Deal with banks, insurers and state bodies
Transfer property and settle debts and taxes
Tax and succession planning
Good planning can reduce delay and cost for your family. We advise on lifetime gifts and how they interact with tax thresholds. We consider family company shares and farm transfers. We look at ways to structure ownership and nominations so that the right people receive assets in a straightforward way. We work with your accountant where specialist tax input will help.
Plan lifetime gifts and tax thresholds
Consider family business shares and farm transfers
Structure ownership and nominations for a straightforward transfer
Coordinate with your accountant when useful
Contested wills and estate disputes
Sometimes there is a disagreement about a will or about how an estate is being handled. We act with care and aim for practical resolution. We review the facts and explain your rights. We engage with the other side and explore settlement where that is possible. If court is needed we act to protect your position.
Review the facts and explain rights
Engage with the other side
Explore settlement where possible
Represent you in court if required
What Probate Solicitors do?
The legal procedure that grants power to handle a person’s estate is overseen by a probate solicitor. We prepare the application for a grant of probate where there is a will or for letters of administration where there is no will. We value assets, handle any tax forms and work with banks and institutions. We keep a clear file so that every payment and receipt is recorded.
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Prepare the correct grant application
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Value assets and complete tax forms
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Work with banks and institutions
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Maintain clear records of payments and receipts
How we support executors and administrators
We set out a plan at the start. We gather the information needed from banks and insurers. We prepare the application and keep you updated. We arrange for property transfers and final distributions. We answer questions from beneficiaries and we handle any issues calmly.
Set out a plan at the start
Gather information from banks and insurers
Prepare the application and keep you updated
Arrange transfers and final distributions
Answer beneficiary questions
Timescales and costs
Time frames depend on the size of the estate and the information available. We will give a realistic outline at the first meeting. We provide written terms that explain fees and likely outlays. You will know what to expect and when.
Time frames depend on estate size and information
Written terms outline fees and outlays
Clear expectations from the start
Do I need probate?
Probate is usually needed when assets stand in the sole name of the person who has died. It is often required to sell or transfer a house or to close certain bank accounts. It may not be needed where assets are held in joint names with rights of survivorship. It can also be unnecessary for life policies with named beneficiaries or for some credit union balances with a nomination. We will confirm what is needed once we see the asset list and the will if there is one.
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Often required for a house sale or transfer
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Usually needed for sole bank accounts
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May not be required for joint assets with survivorship rights
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Sometimes not needed for policies with named beneficiaries or certain credit union nominations
Steps to take after a bereavement
Gather basic information such as bank details, policy numbers and a list of bills. Order a number of death certificates. Secure the home and safeguard valuables. Do not distribute personal items until you have taken advice. After that, we will walk you through the next steps.
Gather bank, policy and bill details
Obtain death certificates
Secure the home and valuables
Avoid distributing items before taking advice
Grants of probate and administration
The executor requests a grant of probate in cases where a valid will exists. Where there is no will or no executor able to act an administrator applies for letters of administration. We explain who can apply and what documents are required in each case.
Gather evidence including medical records, photos and witness statements
Letters of administration where there is no will
Guidance on who can apply and required documents
Wills and probate solicitors
Choosing the right team makes the process smoother. Fiona Kelly Solicitors brings local knowledge and steady support. We combine careful drafting with practical guidance. We are approachable and we respond promptly to calls and emails. You will be aware of the person managing your case and the next steps.
Local knowledge and steady support
Careful drafting and practical guidance
Prompt replies and clear communication
Named contact handling your matter
How we work
We listen first and we set out options. We agree scope and timelines before work starts. We prepare documents clearly and we keep you updated. We coordinate with accountants, valuers and financial advisers where that helps the outcome. Video or in-person appointments can be made in Letterkenny. Video suits many clients in East Donegal.
Listen first and set out options
Agree scope and timelines before work starts
Prepare documents clearly with regular updates
Coordinate with accountants and valuers when helpful
Offer in person and video appointments
Who we help
We assist families who have lost a loved one as well as those making future plans. We also assist executors who must oversee an estate in Donegal, especially East Donegal, but reside overseas. We can save time and travel by handling the majority of steps via video and email.
Planning for the future and supporting families
Review the facts and explain rights
When to contact us
Early advice prevents problems later. Speak to us when you are thinking about a will or an enduring power of attorney. Contact us soon after a bereavement so that we can check what is needed and protect your position with banks and service providers.
Early advice for wills and enduring power of attorney
Prompt contact after a bereavement
Protect your position with banks and utilities
Frequently asked questions about Wills & Probate in Donegal
Who should make a will?
How long does probate take?
What documents do I need for probate?
Can I contest a will?
What happens if there is no will?
Plan your next step
If you want to make a will or if you need help with an estate, we are ready to assist. Speak with Fiona Kelly Solicitors for clear advice and a steady plan. You can request a call back or send brief details through our contact page so that we can respond and set out how we can help.