Wills
Making a will ensures your wishes are followed and your family is protected. We guide you through the process clearly, explain your options, and prepare a legally valid will that reflects your circumstances and future plans.
Making a Will
Making a will is one of the most important legal steps you can take to protect your family, your assets, and your wishes. A properly drafted will ensures that your estate is distributed according to your instructions and that the right people are responsible for managing your affairs after your death.
Without a will, your estate will be distributed under the rules of intestacy, which may not reflect your wishes and can create unnecessary stress and expense for your family. A will allows you to decide who inherits your assets, who will act as executor, and who will act as guardian for your children if necessary.
We assist clients in preparing clear, legally valid wills and can advise on all aspects of estate planning, including inheritance planning, tax considerations, and updating existing wills.
How We Help With Wills
We provide practical and straightforward advice in relation to:
Drafting new wills
Updating or amending existing wills
Appointing executors
Appointing guardians for children
Setting up trusts in wills
Estate and inheritance planning
Advising on inheritance tax considerations
Storing wills safely
Advising executors and beneficiaries
Our aim is to make the process straightforward and ensure that your wishes are clearly documented and legally valid.
Why Having a Will Is Important
Having a will in place provides certainty and avoids unnecessary complications for your family. It ensures that your estate is distributed according to your wishes and that the people you trust are responsible for administering your estate.
A will is particularly important if:
You own property
You have children
You are married or in a civil partnership
You are separated or divorced
You are in a long-term relationship but not married
You have a business
You wish to leave specific gifts to individuals or charities
Regularly reviewing your will is also important, particularly after major life events such as marriage, separation, the birth of children, or purchasing property.
Updating or Changing a Will
It is important to review your will from time to time to ensure it still reflects your wishes and circumstances. Changes in family circumstances, property ownership, or financial position may mean that your will needs to be updated.
We can advise on updating an existing will or preparing a new will where necessary, and we can also advise on the legal effect of marriage, separation, or divorce on an existing will.
Speak With a Solicitor
Preparing a will does not have to be complicated. We guide you through the process step by step, explain your options clearly, and ensure that your will is properly drafted and legally valid. Taking the time to put a will in place now can prevent significant difficulty and uncertainty for your family in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If you die without a will, your estate will be distributed according to the rules of intestacy set out in Irish law. This means your assets may not go to the people you would have chosen. The process can also take longer and may create additional legal costs and complications for your family.
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The cost of making a will depends on the complexity of the estate and the type of will required. Simple wills are generally straightforward, while more complex estates involving property, businesses, or trusts may require more detailed planning. We can discuss costs with you before preparing your will.
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While it is possible to write a will yourself, a solicitor ensures that the will is legally valid, properly signed and witnessed, and clearly drafted to avoid disputes or confusion. A poorly drafted will can create significant legal problems after death, so professional advice is strongly recommended.
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Yes, you can change your will at any time as long as you have legal capacity. Changes can be made by preparing a new will or by adding a legal amendment called a codicil. It is important not to make handwritten changes to a will, as this can invalidate it.
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A will should be stored in a safe place where it can be located after death. Many solicitors provide a will storage service. It is important that your executor knows where the original will is stored.