Own assets in Ireland but live abroad? You need an Irish will.

If you own property, land, or other assets in Ireland but live abroad, you should have an Irish will that specifically deals with those Irish assets. Under Irish law, if you die without a valid Irish will covering your Irish property, the law of intestacy takes over automatically. This means the courts and the Succession Act 1965 will decide who inherits your Irish assets, and their decision may not match what you would have wanted. Even if you have a valid will in another country, it may not properly cover Irish real estate or may face complications when dealing with Irish financial institutions and property transfer. Having a separate Irish will gives you control over what happens to your Irish assets and makes things simpler for your family after you die. An Irish will must comply with specific legal rules to be valid. Under the Succession Act 1965, a will must be in writing, and you must sign it in front of two independent witnesses who are present at the same time. The witnesses must also sign the will. This formal process exists to prove your intentions were genuine and that you had the mental capacity to make the will. The good news is that you do not need to be in Ireland to create a valid Irish will. You can work with an Irish solicitor remotely by post, email, video call, or phone. The solicitor will explain your wishes, draft the will to reflect your intentions, and arrange for you to sign it with two proper witnesses. Your witnesses do not have to be in Ireland either, but they must meet the legal requirements, which typically means they cannot be family members or people who benefit from your will. Many Irish solicitors regularly handle wills for non-resident clients and can guide you through the entire process without you needing to travel to Ireland. Making an Irish will when you live abroad is straightforward and costs much less than dealing with complications after you die. You should instruct an Irish solicitor who can explain the relevant Irish law, discuss your assets, family situation, and wishes, then prepare a will that is legally valid in Ireland and covers all your Irish assets properly. By taking this step, you ensure your Irish property passes to the people you choose, your estate is managed according to your instructions, and your family avoids unnecessary delays and expense dealing with Irish courts and officials after your death.