You may need to get access to the deceased person's money to help pay for funeral expenses. Many banks have arrangements in place to help pay for funeral expenses from the deceased person’s account (you should contact the bank directly to find out more). Otherwise, it's not easy to get access to money in a bank or building society unless it is in a joint account. If the money is in the deceased's name only, then you usually can't get access to it until probate is taken out.
There are a number of social welfare benefits and grants available following a death that you may not be aware of. For example, you may be eligible for an Exceptional Needs Payment to help you with the cost of a funeral if your income is low. You may also have questions about pension rights, insurance policies, taxation of income and inheritance. These issues are covered in our section on benefits and entitlements relating to death. The Revenue Commissioners have some useful information on taxation following bereavement.
If you are experiencing financial difficulties following bereavement, there are supports such as the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) available to help. MABS is a free, confidential service staffed by trained money advisors who can provide advice and assistance during this difficult time.
There are a number of social welfare benefits and grants available following a death that you may not be aware of. For example, you may be eligible for an Exceptional Needs Payment to help you with the cost of a funeral if your income is low. You may also have questions about pension rights, insurance policies, taxation of income and inheritance. These issues are covered in our section on benefits and entitlements relating to death. The Revenue Commissioners have some useful information on taxation following bereavement.
If you are experiencing financial difficulties following bereavement, there are supports such as the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) available to help. MABS is a free, confidential service staffed by trained money advisors who can provide advice and assistance during this difficult time.
Money in a bank or building society
If money in the bank/building society is in the deceased's name only, then you usually cannot get access to it until probate is taken out. If the amount of money is small, the financial institution may release it provided the personal representatives or the next of kin sign an indemnity form. In effect, this is a guarantee that the bank/building society will not be at a loss if there are other claims on the money.
If the account is held jointly with a person other than the deceased's spouse/civil partner (e.g. the deceased's brother or parent) talk to the bank or building society. They may need a statement from the Revenue Commissioners' Capital Taxes Office. This will allow you to transfer money while any possible tax liability, such as Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT), is being examined.
Spouses/civil partners are not liable for CAT on inheritances from each other. You should apply to the Capital Taxes Office of the Revenue Commissioners for a letter of clearance.
If you think the deceased person may have had a dormant bank account, you should contact the financial institution at which the account was held. If that financial institution no longer exists and you want to find out where to make your enquiry or claim, you should contact the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI).
If the account is held jointly with a person other than the deceased's spouse/civil partner (e.g. the deceased's brother or parent) talk to the bank or building society. They may need a statement from the Revenue Commissioners' Capital Taxes Office. This will allow you to transfer money while any possible tax liability, such as Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT), is being examined.
Spouses/civil partners are not liable for CAT on inheritances from each other. You should apply to the Capital Taxes Office of the Revenue Commissioners for a letter of clearance.
If you think the deceased person may have had a dormant bank account, you should contact the financial institution at which the account was held. If that financial institution no longer exists and you want to find out where to make your enquiry or claim, you should contact the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI).
Post Office savings
- If the investor had left instructions on a 'nomination form', the proceeds of the savings deposit account or Savings Certificates (i.e the principal plus accrued interest) will be distributed according to those instructions.
- If the investor had made a will, the proceeds will be distributed in accordance with the will.
- If there is no will, the usual rules for inheritance will apply.
Whether there is a will or not, you will need to obtain probate or Letters of Administration from the High Court if the proceeds of the estate are more than €25,000.
If the estate proceeds are less than €25,000, you will not have to wait to take out a grant of probate. All you have to do is get a claim form from any post office and send it with the following:
- Death certificate
- Post Office deposit book (keep a record of the number)
- Original will or certified copy of the will (this will be returned by registered post)
Credit Union accounts
If the deceased had a credit union account and had completed a valid Nomination Form, when opening the account, nominating someone as next of kin, the proceeds of the account up to a maximum of €23,000 go to the person or persons nominated on the form. They do not form part of the deceased's estate.
The balance of the account forms part of the deceased's estate and is distributed in accordance with succession law.
The balance of the account forms part of the deceased's estate and is distributed in accordance with succession law.
Insurance Policies
If an insurance policy names you as the beneficiary, then you may claim it directly from the insurance company. You need a death certificate. If there is no named beneficiary, then the proceeds form part of the overall estate of the deceased and are distributed with the other assets.
Occupational and personal pensions
The rules governing occupational and personal pensions vary. If the deceased was a member of a pension scheme, you should contact the employer or former employer or the scheme administrators to find out if there is a pension for the spouse/civil partner and/or children.
Self-employed people may have pension arrangements which involve some of the investments becoming part of the deceased's estate.
Divorced people and those whose civil partnership has been dissolved may have access to some part of the pension scheme depending on whether or not a pension adjustment order was made at the time of the divorce/dissolution.
Self-employed people may have pension arrangements which involve some of the investments becoming part of the deceased's estate.
Divorced people and those whose civil partnership has been dissolved may have access to some part of the pension scheme depending on whether or not a pension adjustment order was made at the time of the divorce/dissolution.