Re: Probate
The questions for the family to ask on a death are:
1. Do we actually need to get a grant of probate? (for example, if the assets are real property only and there are no plans to sell or mortgage, there may be no pressing need to deal with the estate; )
2. If we don't need to get the grant, do we nevertheless need to file inheritance tax returns?
3. If we do need a grant of probate, do we want or need a solicitor to do it? [it is possible to make a personal application at the Probate Office instead]
4. Can we limit the scope of work for the solicitor in a way that will save us money? I recently ( very much against my better judgement) quoted a fixed fee to a family who assured me that they only wanted me to 'prepare and process the paperwork to get the probate' and they would do everything else. Needless to say, I have been dragged into dealing with Insurance companies, Dept. of Social Welfare, Dept. of Agriculture, banks etc. etc. and the agreed fee will see me lose a packet on the file. But I would still concede in principle that there is scope for significant cost saving where the solicitor's scope of work is kept to a minimum (and set out in very clear terms at the outset) - though this does require that the executor do a LOT of legwork in some cases. So that is an approach you might consider. ( not with me: - I have been burned once and that is quite enough..........)
Absent sufficient information, I can make no useful comment on the fees which you have been quoted except to say that:
1. The figures may well be "silly" as you put it. Or they may accurately reflect the likely workload in administering the estate. There is a very free market in legal services; it is very easy to shop around for a lower price. Personal recommendation is far better than picking someone anonymously from the Internet.
2. For a probate matter, it is probably wise to get a solicitor who habitually handles probate matters.
3. Many probate solicitors are expert in dealing with Capital Acquisitions Tax ( as, in my opinion, they should be). Some solicitors ( a minority, I think) will tell you to take separate tax advice from a tax consultant or accountant. I disagree with the latter approach in all but the most complex cases- but the point I make is simply that you should establish at the outset which approach your solicitor will take to the matter.
I would make one final point: If you have, say, a €1m life insurance policy which will not be released until the grant of probate is produced, and if the insurance company are not paying interest on the sum ( many don't), a six-month delay in getting probate could cost circa €10k in lost interest. It is worth analysing the assets to see if there are any time-sensitive matters where money could be lost in this way. And if there are, then quick may be better than cheap ( though quick and cheap is, of course, what you are hoping to find)
PS - started this post before seeing Vanilla's post ( with which I fully agree)