Official form guide
Form No.13 Declaration to Be Made by a Widow or Next - of - Kin of a Person Who Has Died Intestate, When Letters of Administration Have Not Been Taken Out, and When the Total Assets of the Estate of the Deceased Have Not Exceeded the Value of €25,000
Form No.13 is a declaration for a widow or next‑of‑kin of a person who died intestate, where no letters of administration have been issued and the estate is worth €25,000 or less. It is used to confirm the value of the estate and the applicant’s entitlement.
Need help with Form No.13 Declaration to Be Made by a Widow or Next - of - Kin of a Person Who Has Died Intestate, When Letters of Administration Have Not Been Taken Out, and When the Total Assets of the Estate of the Deceased Have Not Exceeded the Value of €25,000?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form No.13 Declaration to Be Made by a Widow or Next - of - Kin of a Person Who Has Died Intestate, When Letters of Administration Have Not Been Taken Out, and When the Total Assets of the Estate of the Deceased Have Not Exceeded the Value of €25,000
Form No.13 is a declaration for a widow or next‑of‑kin of a person who died intestate, where no letters of administration have been issued and the estate is worth €25,000 or less. It is used to confirm the value of the estate and the applicant’s entitlement.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is under‑estimating the estate value and later being asked to provide a full administration.
- 2Incorrect asset valuation pushes the estate above €25,000
- 3Missing death certificate attachment
- 4Signing without a qualified witness
- 5Submitting to the wrong court office
Plain English
If a loved one passed away without a will and the estate is small, you can fill out this short statement instead of applying for full administration. It tells the court you are the surviving spouse or close relative and that the assets are under €25,000.
Submission Date
- Filing date: There is no strict statutory deadline, but filing within 4‑6 weeks of death is advisable to avoid unnecessary delays.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- Estate value is €25,000 or less
- No letters of administration have been applied for
- The applicant is the spouse or next‑of‑kin
- All assets are easily identifiable (cash, bank accounts, personal effects)
- You do not need a solicitor to complete the form
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Estate > €25,000
Full administration required
✓ Verify total asset value first
Form No.12 (Application for Letters of Administration)
Deceased left a will
Will exists
✓ Confirm will validity
Spouse not surviving
Different relationship
✓ Use appropriate kinship form
Form No.14 (Declaration by Other Relatives)
Deadline or filing window
There is no strict statutory deadline, but filing within 4‑6 weeks of death is advisable to avoid unnecessary delays.
Before you submit
- 1Death certificate (original or certified copy)
- 2Complete asset list with values
- 3Signed declaration with witness signature
- 4Correct court address or online portal details
- 5All pages numbered and legible
- 6Copy of the form retained for personal records
- 7Proof of identity for the applicant (e.g., passport or driver’s licence)
- 8Check that the total declared value does not exceed €25,000
- 9Confirm no prior letters of administration have been issued
How to file this form
- 1Gather required documents (death certificate, asset statements).
- 2Fill out Form No.13 in black ink or typed PDF.
- 3Have a qualified witness sign the declaration.
- 4Attach supporting documents and a cover letter.
- 5Deliver the package to the District Court Probate Office or upload via the Courts Online portal.
- 6Obtain a receipt or acknowledgment from the court.
- 7Store the receipt and a copy of the submitted form.
Known limitations
- 1Only for estates up to €25,000; larger estates require a different form.
- 2Does not cover complex assets such as property or shares.
- 3Cannot be used if letters of administration have already been applied for.
- 4Witness must be an adult not related to the applicant.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Proceedings
3 items
The names of the parties exactly as they appear on the originating document.
The court record number for the case, if one has been assigned.
The court and the office where the document is being filed.
Substance
2 items
What you are asking the court to do, or the information the form requires.
The facts relied on and any documents exhibited with the filing.
Execution
1 items
Signed, sworn or certified as the form requires, with proof of service where needed.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form No.13 is currently the approved version for 2024‑2025. No major revisions have been announced, but check the Courts Service website for any updates before filing.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm the form header shows the 2024 version
- Check that the €25,000 threshold is still current
- Verify the witness signature line matches the latest template
- Ensure the required supporting documents list matches the current guidance
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 29/01/26
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number from Courts Service of Ireland website
- SRCEstate value threshold (€25,000) inferred from form name
- SRCSubmission methods (court office, online portal) based on typical Courts Service practice
- SRCWitness requirements inferred from standard Irish statutory declarations
- SRCDeadline guidance inferred from common probate practice
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact online portal URL
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: specific witness qualifications
Common confusion points
Mistaking “next‑of‑kin” for any relative instead of the closest legal heir.
Including assets that are not part of the estate (e.g., joint accounts).
Using an outdated form version with a different €25,000 threshold.
Failing to obtain a proper witness signature.
Submitting to the civil registry instead of the probate office.
Assuming the form replaces the need for a death certificate.
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing — Irish Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Understand the agreement before you sign it.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.