Forgotten Son Inherits Estranged Father’s Estate

Peter was a musician who had spent most of his life travelling the world. Peter met Emily in the 1960’s while touring in the US. Peter and Emily had a brief affair. Peter and Emily’s son Cillian was born in the US in the in the late 1960’s.

Peter and Emily’s relationship ended soon after the birth of CIllain. Peter would occasionally go to the US and visit Cillian but never informed his family in Ireland about his son in the US.

Peter never organised his affairs and never made a will. Peter left a sizable estate that it was expected by his family would pass to his next-of-kin under the rules of intestate. It appeared that Peter’s brothers would inherit his estate.

However, in attending our office to discuss Peter’s estate his brother revealed that he believed Peter had a child in the US. Peter’s brother assisted in locating the child, now a successful doctor, and informed him of the death of his father. Under the rules of intestacy Peter’s son would be his beneficiary.

However, as Peter’s son was born in the 1960’s to an unmarried couple Peter’s name was not recited on his birth certificate. To prove his parentage Peter’s son was required to make an application to the Circuit Court to seek a declaration of parentage. Peter’s son was required to produce photos with his father and other evidence of his parentage. Peter’s son went on to inherit his estate.

Peter’s son was overcome with emotion when it was officially acknowledged that Peter was his father, an acknowledgment he had never received and always wanted.