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Prior to 1858 all wills and administrations were dealt with by the established church authorities, namely the Church of Ireland, irrespective of whether the deceased was of that religion or not. Most wills were proved/probated, and administrations granted in the appropriate local Diocese. However, if the deceased had assets of greater than £5 in more than one diocese, the case was sent to Dublin to be dealt with by the Archbishop's Prerogative Court. In 1858 the entire administration of testamentary maers was brought under the jurisdiction of the state, and removed from church control. The 30 Diocesan Consistorial courts and the Prerogative Court were abolished and replaced by 13 Probate Registries and a Central Registry. |
