Estate Planning Articles

Clear, practical articles to help you understand wills, estate planning, and probate in Ireland.

Illustration of a family home with a set of keys, representing an estate passing under Irish intestacy rules

What Happens If You Die Without a Will in Ireland?

When someone dies without a valid will, the law decides what happens to their estate. This is known as dying "intestate".

Illustration of a married couple sitting together reviewing paperwork at home

3 min read

Do I Really Need a Will If I'm Married?

Many married couples assume they don't need a will because everything will automatically go to their spouse. In Ireland, it's not quite that simple.

Illustration of a signed will document beside a pen on a desk

3 min read

How to Make a Legally Valid Will in Ireland

Creating a valid will in Ireland is straightforward, but there are a few legal requirements that must be followed.

Illustration of a will document with a crossed-out section, representing common drafting mistakes

3 min read

Common Mistakes People Make When Writing a Will

One of the biggest mistakes people make is simply not creating a will at all. Without one, the law decides how your estate is distributed.

Illustration of a person organising documents and folders on behalf of an estate

2 min read

How to Choose the Right Executor for Your Will

An executor is the person responsible for carrying out the instructions in your will. Their role may include gathering assets, paying debts, and distributing property.

Illustration of two people signing as witnesses while a will is being signed

2 min read

Who Should Witness My Will in Ireland?

Irish law requires that a will is witnessed by two people. These witnesses must be present when the will is signed.

Illustration of a will document alongside a house, savings and personal items

3 min read

What Should You Include in a Modern Will?

A well-structured will should clearly outline how your estate should be handled, from specific gifts to digital assets.

Illustration of a laptop and phone showing online accounts and cloud storage

3 min read

What Happens to Digital Accounts When You Die?

Digital assets are becoming an increasingly important part of estate planning, from email to social media to cryptocurrency.

Illustration of a calendar beside a will document, representing reviewing a will over time

2 min read

When Should You Update Your Will?

A will should be reviewed regularly to ensure it still reflects your circumstances. Major life events are often a good reason to update.

Illustration of a candle and flowers representing recorded funeral wishes

2 min read

Planning Your Funeral Wishes

Some people choose to record their funeral preferences alongside their estate planning, from burial choices to ceremony details.

Illustration of two witnesses standing beside a will being signed at a table

3 min read

Who Can Witness a Will in Ireland?

Signing your will is a simple moment, but it has to be done the right way. Here's what the law requires.

Illustration of two separate will documents side by side, representing mirror wills

2 min read

Do Married Couples Need Separate Wills in Ireland?

It's common to think a couple can sign one shared will. In Ireland, you each need your own will.

Illustration of official documents being stamped, representing the probate process

3 min read

What Is Probate in Ireland?

Probate is the process of confirming a will is valid and giving your executor official permission to deal with your assets.

Illustration of a legal scale beside a family home, representing intestacy rules

3 min read

What Happens If You Don't Have a Will in Ireland?

Most people assume their partner or children will automatically receive everything. In Ireland, intestacy rules may say otherwise.

Illustration of two people reviewing a document together, representing a disagreement over a will

6 min read

Common Problems and Disputes About Wills

Most will disputes start with unclear wording, outdated details, or surprise decisions. Here's how to reduce the risk.

Illustration of question marks around a will document, representing myths about wills

4 min read

5 Big Myths About Wills in Ireland

Wills pick up a lot of myths, usually from well-meaning chats or half-remembered stories. Let's clear up five of the biggest ones.

Illustration of a house, bank card and documents being gathered together as an estate

5 min read

What Happens to an Estate After Someone Dies in Ireland

When someone dies, there's usually a period where a few people step in to gather what they owned, pay what needs paying, and pass what's left to the right people.

Illustration of a person signing as a witness while another person looks on

4 min read

Being a Witness to a Will in Ireland

If someone asks you to witness their will, it can feel like a bigger ask than it really is. In most cases, it's a simple two to three minute favour.

Illustration of a hand signing a will at a kitchen table with two witnesses present

2 min read

Signing Your Will, Made Simple

You've done the thoughtful part — writing down what you want. Now it's time to sign. Here is some guidance.

Illustration of a family tree diagram with alternative branches highlighted

4 min read

What Happens If All of Your Beneficiaries Die Before You?

When creating a will, most people focus on who should inherit. But what happens if all of your named beneficiaries die before you do?

Illustration of a will being signed with two witnesses at the same table

3 min read

How to Properly Sign Your Will in Ireland

Signing your will correctly is one of the most important steps in making it legally valid. In Ireland, the rules around signing are set out in the Succession Act 1965.

Illustration of a will with a highlighted error, representing signing mistakes

3 min read

Common Mistakes When Signing a Will

Even a well-drafted will can be rendered invalid if mistakes are made during the signing process. Here are the most common errors people make — and how to avoid them.

Illustration of a checklist beside a completed will document

3 min read

Final Checklist: Making Your Will Legally Valid in Ireland

Before you consider your will complete, use this checklist to make sure everything is in order. A valid will in Ireland must meet specific legal requirements under the Succession Act 1965.

Illustration of two neighbours signing a document at a front door

4 min read

Why Neighbours Make Great Will Witnesses

You've already done the thoughtful part — you've written down what you want. The signing step is simply the moment where you and two other people confirm, together, that it's really you signing your will.

Illustration of a person at a kitchen table completing their will on a laptop with a clock on the wall

4 min read

How Long Does It Take to Make a Will?

Lots of things can put people off making a will, including not being sure about how long the process can take. For many people, the document itself takes less than an hour.

Flat illustration of a film clapperboard and reel beside a plain will document and pen under a spotlight

5 min read

Seven Things Hollywood Gets Wrong About Wills

Films and television often show wills as long, mysterious documents filled with dramatic surprises. In real life, most wills are far more straightforward.

Illustration of a folder of documents and a key being handed over, beside bank, house and letter icons

4 min read

A simple way to help your executor

A little organisation now can make things much easier for someone you trust.

Illustration of a clipboard checklist beside a bank, a house, a document and a pen

6 min read

Executor checklist: where to start

If you've been asked to be an executor, you do not need to know everything straight away. Start by working out what needs attention, what information is available and who can help.

Illustration of two people sitting at a table reviewing a will document together

4 min read

Should you choose a second executor?

Choosing one executor may be enough. But there are good reasons to consider choosing two.