Why a national will register matters
Royal London Ireland is calling on the Government to establish a national wills register, arguing that such a system is a standard feature in most European countries. The aim is simple but powerful: make it easier for families to locate a loved one’s will after death, reducing delays, stress, and potential disputes during probate.
In Ireland, estimates of how many adults have not made a will range from 60% to 70%, with another segment having created a will but left unclear where it is stored. The absence of a central register means the location of a will can become a time-consuming and sometimes fruitless endeavour, prolonging the administration of estates and delaying financial settlements for bereaved families.
The problem with current arrangements
According to Joe Charles, proposition director at Royal London Ireland, Ireland’s lack of a national will register places it behind many European peers in terms of best practice. “A national will register would enable a person making a will, or their solicitor, to register certain details of the will – such as the date of the will and the custodian of the will – with a central authority, thus making it easier to locate a will at the time it is needed and reducing the risk of the will remaining unknown or being found belatedly,” he explains.
Crucially, the register would not reveal the content of the will. It would be a directory-style system that confirms existence, location, and custodianship. This approach protects privacy while delivering a practical solution to the ongoing challenge of will discovery.
current legislation and past attempts
There have been several legislative attempts to establish a national will register, with proposals put forward in 2011, 2016, and 2021. To date, none of these measures have progressed to enactment. Royal London Ireland argues that a renewed push for legislation is warranted, noting the potential benefits to families and the wider system.
How a register would work in practice
The proposed national online State will register would allow wills to be registered with minimal personal data. Practically, this could mean the inclusion of the will’s date, the name of the custodian or trusted point of contact, and perhaps a brief description of where the documents are stored. The actual will’s contents would remain confidential unless the executor or a court requests access.
With a registry in place, probate authorities could locate the latest will quickly, reducing preliminary delays while determining which version is current. This would also cut down on the emotional and financial strain families face when navigating probate in the wake of a loved one’s death.
What this means for families and the probate system
For families, the most tangible benefit would be faster access to the correct will, ensuring timely distribution of assets and more predictable outcomes. It could also reduce the likelihood of disputes arising from confusion over multiple or superseded documents.
For the probate system, a centralized register promises greater efficiency, less probate revocation required after late-discovered wills, and a smoother process for executors. In turn, this could support a more stable and humane handling of estates during what is often a painful period for bereaved relatives.
What happens next
Royal London Ireland argues that the case for a national will register is clear and aligned with European norms. The question now is whether the Government will advance the necessary legislation to create a centralised, publicly accessible, but privacy-respecting registry of wills. As Mr. Charles notes, such a move would be widely welcomed by families seeking clarity and certainty in times of loss, and by the wider financial and legal professions seeking to reduce probate delays.
Take action and plan ahead
While policy debates continue, individuals can take practical steps to safeguard their affairs. Simple steps include confirming where a will is stored, ensuring that trusted executors or solicitors know how to access it, and keeping contact details up to date. Even without a national register, reasonable precautions can help shorten delays and ease the emotional burden on loved ones when the time comes.
