Service to Assist Bereaved Farming Families

The Inheritance Enquiry Unit helps representatives of a deceased farmer to secure outstanding payments and deal with other farming paperwork.

Following the death of a farmer there are generally two issues to be dealt with:

• change to the registration details of the herdnumber/herdkeeper
• payment of any outstanding monies due to the estate of the deceased and the transfer of any single payment entitlements held by the late farmer

The Inheritance Enquiry Unit offers advice on a range of issues. They help to:

• identify those schemes in which the deceased person participated and establish whether there are any outstanding payments due to the estate of the deceased
• assist the legal representatives in contacting various sections of the Department
• advise on what legal documents are required
• make arrangements for the issue of any outstanding payments due to estate of the deceased and for the transfer of single payment entitlements

You can also read more about the unit's work.

The principle documents needed to complete the process are:

• copy of will and grant of probate
• letters of administration confirming the administrator of the estate where no will exists

Other legal documents such as a death certificate may be required in support of claims depending on the individual requirements of the scheme.

The executor or administrator of the estate of the deceased farmer or the solicitor dealing with the administration of the estate should contact: