Wills and Probate

Historically, the Irish family is large with quite a number of people to divide the family estate and inheritance between. However, if you think wills are popular in order to avoid disputes and save trouble for those left behind – you are incorrect. Only 30% of Irish people have wills despite efforts made to promote them by agencies, such as MyLegacy.ie, and solicitor firms.

Many people see making a will as a sign of sickness and death. Something to do at the end. Something that can be done tomorrow or the next day. However, often people leave it too late creating more work for their loved ones who must make funeral arrangements, but also decide how to divide the inheritance. Many arguments start as a result of someone feeling they were treated unfairly after this division.

By creating a will and discussing it with the beneficiaries a lot of hassle can be saved for those left behind. A will can be made for €200 or joint spouse wills for €350. These can be drafted as many times as necessary until they are perfect. It means you can decide how the inheritance will be divided. For instance, if you have a disabled member of the family their care can be arranged prior to your passing and the family estate, farm or business can be passed onto whomever you wish. Companies and agencies such as MyLegacy.ie also promote laving a charitable gift to help those in need as part of your inheritance. Another type of will is the Enduring Power of Attorney which allows people appointed by you to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to because of a mental disability. Wills are important to make life easier for those left behind after your passing and to ensure your wishes are respected when you need it most. You can learn more about probate and wills here.