This article is one of a series, and while it can be read on its own, is designed to be read along with the articles “<a href="https://rip.ie/legal-and-financial-advice/what-should-you-consider-when-making-a-will-257">What Should You Consider When Making A Will?</a>” and “<a href="https://rip.ie/legal-and-financial-advice/what-happens-if-you-dont-make-a-will-258">What Happens If You Don’t Make A Will?</a>” <h3>Introduction</h3>A will is a written document that lets you decide what happens to your property and assets in the event of your death. A will can also set out who should take care of young children. Importantly, it also stipulates who will manage your affairs after your death. It can be a difficult topic to think about, or discuss, but it is crucial, especially if you have young children. If you die without a will, you won’t have a say in who receives your property and other assets (including your pets). You won’t have a say in who manages your estate. If you have children, you miss out on the opportunity to nominate a trusted, responsible guardian for them. Not having a will can make it more difficult for your loved ones after you pass away.Wills aren’t just for the sick or elderly - in fact, every adult should consider making one. <h3>Who Gets What?</h3>You are the person best to decide how you want to divide your money and assets. Remember, nobody knows your wishes and your family as well as you do. Firstly, you should think about how you would like to divide your money and assets. You should have a good idea about what you own, either in your sole name or jointly with your spouse or civil partner. You should think about what you would be leaving behind and who you want it to go to.There are legal protections for your spouse, or civil partner, and your children, but most people provide for their family as fairly as possible in their will. Partners outside marriage are not protected to the same extent. Your spouse, or civil partner, has a legal right to a share in your estate: one third if you have children and one half if you don’t have children. If you are separated or divorced, the Court should have dealt with this. When it comes to your children, you should consider their ages; their education; any financial support you previously provided; what they now own; and their line of work. In some cases, the older and wealthier they are, the less help they may need. Your children are not entitled to a fixed share like a spouse or civil partner, but they can apply to Court if not properly provided for by what the law describes as a “just and prudent parent.”Many wills made by married couples leave everything to each other with a “gift over” clause/option, which states that if the other spouse also dies, all property goes to the children. If the children are very young, the “gift over” clause/option ensures everything goes to trustees to mind the assets for young children.<h3>Who Handles This?</h3>The person who takes care of your affairs in the event of your death is called your Executor or Executrix. This can be a very demanding and emotional role. You can appoint more than one. You should let them know beforehand that you will be assigning them this role, and where they can find your will, should anything happen to you. If you are leaving property to young children, as stated above, you might think about including a trust for those children, and appointing Trustees to manage any money or assets left for them while they are under 18, or even slightly older. A trust is where people called Trustees hold the assets “in trust” for the benefit of the children until the children reach 18, which is when they can own the property.  You might also think about appointing Guardians, who would take over your role in raising the children until they turn 18.In the event of one parent’s death, the surviving parent is automatically assigned as guardian, but if both parents were to die –in a car crash for example –  someone has to be appointed to mind them. This is a very difficult, but important decision to make, and should be considered carefully.<h3>Summary</h3>People, especially those with young children, should think about making a will to provide for their loved ones in the event of their death. They should think about dividing their assets fairly, taking their spouse’s rights into account, picking the right person to manage their affairs on death, if a trust is to be created, and who is to mind their young children. Padraic Courtney is a Solicitor and Secretary to the Probate, Administration &amp; Trusts Committee of the <a href="https://www.lawsociety.ie/">Law Society of Ireland</a>. Disclaimer: Please note that this article is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be legal advice. While every care has been taken in its production, no legal responsibility or liability is accepted warranted or implied by the author, publishers or the Law Society of Ireland in respect of any errors, omissions or misstatement. Readers are advised to seek independent professional legal advice before acting on anything in this article.

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Why Make a Will?

Losing a spouse or civil partner is one of life’s most painful experiences. Amid the grief, it can be overwhelming to face legal and financial questions — especially when a <a href="https://rip.ie/legal-and-financial-advice/what-should-you-consider-when-making-a-will-257">will</a> has not been made. Understanding what happens next can bring some clarity and help families take the first practical steps with confidence.<h3>When There’s No Will</h3>If someone dies without <a href="https://rip.ie/legal-and-financial-advice/what-happens-if-you-dont-make-a-will-258">making a will,</a> they are said to have died intestate. In these cases, Irish law determines how their estate — including property, money, and possessions — will be distributed.Many people assume that when their spouse dies, everything automatically passes to them. In reality, intestacy law (intestate means dying without a <a href="https://rip.ie/legal-and-financial-advice/why-make-a-will-254">will</a>) follows strict rules. Understanding them early on can prevent confusion or conflict later. For a surviving spouse or civil partner, this provides a level of protection and certainty.Under the Succession Act 1965, if the deceased leaves children, the surviving spouse or civil partner is entitled to two-thirds of the estate, with the remaining one-third divided equally among the children. If there are no children, the surviving spouse or civil partner inherits the entire estate.While these rules provide a clear framework, they don’t always reflect the nuances of individual family circumstances. Joint assets, property ownership, pensions, or blended family situations can make matters more complex and may require tailored legal advice.<h3>The Steps Involved</h3>When there is no will, someone must take responsibility for managing the estate. This person — usually the surviving spouse or civil partner — applies to the Probate Office (or local District Probate Registry) for Letters of Administration. The process involves gathering details of the deceased’s assets and debts, identifying next of kin, preparing a Schedule of Assets and Liabilities for the Revenue Commissioners and the Probate Office, and other documents before submitting them to the Probate Office. An interview may be required for personal applicants. Processing typically takes 3–6 months and costs include Probate Office fees.Solicitors' fees apply if professional help is used. Common challenges include completing forms correctly, confirming entitlements under intestacy law, and securing the bond. Straightforward estates can be handled personally, but complex or disputed cases are best managed by a probate solicitor.Letters of Administration authorise them to gather the deceased’s assets, pay any outstanding debts, and distribute what remains according to the law. The process can take time and may feel daunting, particularly during a period of mourning. A solicitor can help ensure that all documentation is correctly completed and that the estate is administered smoothly and respectfully.Essential documents typically include the death certificate, marriage or civil partnership certificate, and details of all known assets and liabilities.<h3>Support During a Difficult Time</h3>Navigating grief while managing legal affairs is never easy. Professional legal guidance can ease some of the practical burdens, while emotional support from counselling services or community organisations can help with the human side of loss.Services such as Citizens Information and the Irish Hospice Foundation provide practical advice and bereavement supports to those dealing with loss and estate matters.<h3>A Compassionate Approach</h3>Every family’s situation is unique. While Irish law provides a clear structure for what happens when someone dies without a will, compassionate and practical advice ensures that your loved one’s estate is managed with dignity and care.If your spouse or civil partner has recently passed away without a will, speaking with a probate solicitor can help you move forward with confidence and understanding.Disclaimer: Please note that this article is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be legal advice. While every care has been taken in its production, no legal responsibility or liability is accepted warranted or implied by the author, publishers or the Law Society of Ireland in respect of any errors, omissions or misstatement. Readers are advised to seek independent professional legal advice before acting on anything in this article.

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Your Spouse or Civil Partner Has Died Without a Will – What Happens Next?

This article is one of a series and while it can be read on its own, it is designed to be read along with the two articles “<a href="https://rip.ie/legal-and-financial-advice/why-make-a-will-254">Why Make a Will</a>” and “<a href="https://rip.ie/legal-and-financial-advice/what-should-you-consider-when-making-a-will-257">What Should You Consider When Making a Will?</a>”   <h3>Introduction</h3>If you don’t make a will, the State makes all the decisions for you.  Instead of you choosing who gets what and who manages your affairs, the State steps in and divides everything (your assets) between your family members. In legal terms, dying without a will is called dying Intestate. This means that the State decides on the division of your estate and, based on that, who manages your affairs after you die.The law covering this is the Succession Act, 1965.  Although the law has been updated since this legislation was enacted, it obviously cannot take your personal wishes into account. You know - much better than any piece of legislation - how you would like your assets to be divided and who should be in charge of managing this process.<h3>What Happens my Assets if I die Intestate?</h3>If you die intestate – that is, without a valid will - the Succession Act of 1965 governs how your estate is distributed, depending on your closest surviving relatives. There are different rules for single people, with or without children, and married people with or without children.  Civil Partners have broadly the same rights as spouses. A person you are living with (your “cohabitant”) does not have the same rights as a spouse, but does have the right to sue your estate for provision.For instance, if you die intestate as a single person without children, your estate goes to your parent or parents. If your parents died before you, it goes to your brothers and sisters. The children of a brother or sister who died before you take their late parent’s share. If all your brothers and sisters have died before you, your nephews and nieces share your estate equally.In cases where a single person dies leaving children, the entire estate goes to the child or is divided equally among all the children. However, this presents a practical difficulty when the children are under the age of 18 and no trustees have been appointed to manage the estate on their behalf. The surviving parent must apply for the legal right to administer the estate, but complications arise if that parent is a cohabitant. In such cases, they may also bring a legal claim against the estate in their own right, creating a potential conflict of interest while also acting on behalf of the child. If you are married or in a Civil Partnership and die without children, your spouse or civil partner gets everything. If you are married or in a Civil Partnership with children, your spouse or civil partner gets 2/3rds and your children share the remaining 1/3rd.  Once again, if any of your children are under 18, somebody has to mind their share for them.Importantly, the legislation does not take into account the specific needs of your children or their life circumstances. The legislation operates on the principal of equality, but equal division does not always result in fairness, especially when children have special needs and specific circumstances. <h3>Who Takes Care of Things if I die Intestate?</h3>As nobody has been appointed to manage your affairs, the legislation determines who takes on this role. It goes to the person/persons who are legally entitled to inherit your estate. <ul style="list-style-type:disc"><li>If you were married, your surviving spouse is the only person entitled to act, whether you leave children or not. </li><li>If you were widowed, or a widower, your children are equally entitled. </li><li>If you were a single person without children, your parent or parents act. This can sometimes cause difficulties. For example, your elderly parents may be left with the responsibility of managing your estate while grieving your loss. When there are no surviving parents, the role passes equally to your brothers and sisters. If none of your siblings are alive, your nephews and nieces are equally entitled to act. </li></ul><h3>Summary</h3>We would encourage everyone, particularly anyone with a child or children to make a will. Quite simply, by leaving a will you make all the necessary decisions. A will makes it much more straightforward to manage your affairs and you can take the needs of your family members into account.Padraic Courtney is a Solicitor and Secretary to the Probate, Administration &amp; Trusts Committee of the Law Society of Ireland. Disclaimer: Please note that this article is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be legal advice. While every care has been taken in its production, no legal responsibility or liability is accepted warranted or implied by the author, publishers or the Law Society of Ireland in respect of any errors, omissions or misstatement. Readers are advised to seek independent professional legal advice before acting on anything in this article.

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What Happens if You Don’t Make a Will?

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Topic: Legacy