Typically, individuals create their wills with the assistance of a solicitor, and the original will is securely stored in the solicitor’s office. When a person’s family, in the event of their passing, knows the identity of this solicitor, their first step is to contact that solicitor.
Often a will is stored at a person’s home, so it is wise to check their property first.
The easiest way to contact large numbers of solicitors in Ireland quickly and efficiently is to use the Will Finder Ireland service.
How Can I Track Down a Relative’s Will?
To search for a will or grant, it’s essential to have both the complete name of the deceased and the year of their passing. This aligns with how information is organised in a solicitor’s records. If you’re unsure about the exact year of death, you will need to obtain a copy of the death certificate from the local registrar of deaths. Further information can be found on the Citizens Information website.
Irish Wills and administrations
In Ireland, wills and administrations play a crucial role in the distribution of a deceased person’s assets and the settling of their affairs. A will is a legal document that outlines a person’s wishes for how their estate should be distributed after their death. This document is typically created with the assistance of a solicitor, and the original will is securely stored. When someone passes away, their family often seeks out the solicitor who helped draft the will.
In cases where a will doesn’t exist, or if it’s deemed invalid, the process of administration comes into play. Administrations involve legally appointing someone to manage the deceased’s estate and distribute assets according to Irish intestacy law. To search for a will or grant, precise information about the deceased’s name and year of death is essential, with archival records organized accordingly. If the exact year of death is uncertain, approximations can be used, with options to navigate different years. The Irish system of wills and administrations ensures the orderly transfer of assets and the fulfillment of a deceased person’s wishes, contributing to legal and financial clarity in times of loss.
Irish wills and probate records
To search for a historic will or grant for one of your ancestors, precise information about the deceased’s name and year of death is essential. If the exact year of death is uncertain, approximations can be used, with options to navigate different years.
After a grant of probate or letters of administration has been officially issued, any member of the public can obtain copies of the grant and the original will by paying the required fee. The records for grants issued within the last 20 years are maintained by the Probate Office and the District Probate Registries.
Missing Wills
Tracing a missing will in Ireland can be a challenging process, but it’s crucial for settling a deceased person’s estate. Begin by contacting the deceased’s solicitor, or a number of local solicitors using the willfinder.ie website. They may have the original will in their records.
important to have the deceased’s full name and the year of their death for an effective search; ideally a copy of their death certificate, but this is not essential.
If the will remains elusive, following a willfinder.ie search, you can continue with the assumption of an intestacy having performed your due diligence via the Will Finder search. Advice and searches by a professionals such as Finders International is strongly recommended to ensure all intestate next of kin are found.
