There are only two certainties in this life, death and taxes. It is for these two reasons that it is essential that everyone makes a Will.
Making a Will ensures that you can make proper provision for your dependants and that your property is distributed as you see fit, subject to certain rights of spouses / civil partners and children. Your solicitor should also be able to advice you on the most tax efficient way of distributing your Estate.
If you die without making a will, your Estate will be administered in accordance with the rules of Intestacy as set out in the Succession Act 1965. In brief this will mean that your entire Estate will be left to your spouse, in circumstances where there are no children. If you have children your spouse will be entitled to two thirds of your Estate and the remaining third will be distributed between your children. If you have no spouse your entire Estate will be distributed to your children equally. In circumstances, where you die single with no children, your Estate will be left to your parents, provided that they have not predeceased you. Otherwise it will be distributed between your siblings.
For further information on making a Will or indeed any aspect of Probate Law, please do not hesitate to contact Hanahoe and Hanahoe solicitors on 045 897784 or at info@hanahoeandhanahoe.com.
This article is merely for information purposes and is not and should not be taken as legal advice. If you have any queries in relation to this or any other aspect of Probate Law, you should consult with a solicitor who specialises in Probate Law. No solicitor/client relationship or duty of care or liability of any nature exists between you and Hanahoe and Hanahoe solicitors, until you receive written confirmation that we are acting as solicitors on your behalf.