J R PLUNKETT the Lean Irish Probate Machine
Recently our probate clients and our solicitors team have become increasingly concerned and frustrated with the delays encountered in the Irish Probate Office.
Delays in the Irish Probate Office
As of January last our team were advised that the backlog for the issue of a Grant or Probate / Administration was 26 weeks from the date the papers were lodged and accepted by the Probate Office. Previously, in December last the delays had been 16 weeks.
We understand that the current backlog in the Irish Probate Office arises due to staff shortages. The matter is under review and recently the Court service invited submissions on the Probate Office for the purpose of a full review of the service.
J R PLUNKETT learn how to minimise Irish Probate delays
The reality is that the backlog in the Probate Office is outside of the control of all probate solicitors and clients. The only steps that can be taken are to ensure that the application is prepared promptly and comprehensively to ensure that no queries arise once it is submitted for the first time. In the event that a probate application is presented and a query arises, the query has to be dealt with and the papers re-lodged. This will result in further delays and will also result in a penalty fee of €40 for each re-submission.
In order to ensure that our clients encounter no delays, other than the delays experienced in the Probate Office, our probate team have all completed LEAN training to implement streamlined systems and processes. This training has resulted in the implementation of standard business operations and work process which allow us complete our probate work more efficiently.
In carrying out our LEAN training and implementing system changes, we have considered all steps that are taken at each stage of the probate process and broken them into work steps that are streamlined and completed easily when the time arises on any particular file.
This investment in our training and systems enables us to complete our work promptly for our probate clients and allows us focus on our client needs rather than the Irish Probate Office delays. We measure our performance by constantly tracking client satisfaction and file completion timeframes to make sure that we maintain the quickest turnaround time possible for our Irish Probate clients.
In a system of delays it is essential that you can count on your solicitor to act promptly upon your instructions.
If you would like to talk to us about the LEAN operations of our probate systems please do not hesitate to contact us on 01 234 3732.