Ireland urged to adopt a national will register
Royal London Ireland has called on the Government to establish a national register of wills, arguing that such a system would streamline the process of locating and validating wills after a death. The insurer says a central register is a standard feature in most other European countries and would help families avoid lengthy delays and potential distress during an already difficult time.
Why a national will register matters
Estimates on how many Irish adults have not made a will vary, but credible figures place the number well into the 60s or higher. A further subset of individuals has left a will but with no clear instructions on where it is stored. In the absence of a centralized system, locating a will can be slow, uncertain, or reliant on the goodwill of solicitors who may have retired or moved on. This friction can delay the administration of an estate and complicate the distribution of assets among heirs.
Delays and distress in probate
At present, when no will is found, probate can proceed only to be revoked later, if and when a misplaced or superseded document comes to light. That process can stretch from months to years, causing significant emotional and financial strain for families awaiting settlement. Royal London Ireland notes that the lack of a national will register effectively leaves some wills out of reach even when they exist, making the process of winding up an estate more unpredictable.
What a national will register would look like
The insurer explains that a national will register would not store the content of a will. Instead, it would register basic details such as the date of the will and the custodian or solicitor responsible for it. This approach would create a reliable pointer to the current, valid version of a will and the person or entity holding it, reducing the risk that a later, updated document remains undiscovered.
Benefits for families and the state
Proponents argue that a central register would:
- Help locate wills quickly, accelerating probate when a person dies.
- Reduce the likelihood of conflicting or superseded documents causing disputes.
- Guard against the risk that a valid will is never found or is discovered far too late.
- Improve overall efficiency in the administration of estates and reduce emotional hardship for survivors.
Historical attempts and the road ahead
There have been several legislative attempts to establish a national will register in Ireland, with proposals dating back to 2011 and reappearing in 2016 and 2021. None has advanced to enactment. Joe Charles, proposition director at Royal London Ireland, argues that the time is right for the Government to progress with the necessary legislation to create a national online State will register. He emphasizes that the register would not reveal the content of the will but would simplify the process of locating and confirming its validity.
Arguments for leadership and best practice
According to Royal London Ireland, Ireland lags behind many European peers when it comes to wills governance. A central register would align Ireland with best practices and provide a clear, accessible mechanism for families to locate a deceased loved one’s will. For solicitors, it would offer a standardized point of reference, reducing the risk of misplacement and the difficulties that arise when a practitioner retires or changes firms.
What happens next
Royall London Ireland’s stance is clear: a national will register would help ensure that a person’s affairs are settled more smoothly after death, easing both financial and emotional upheaval for families. If the Government advances legislation to establish such a register, it could become a practical reality that strengthens Ireland’s probate framework and delivers greater certainty for executors, beneficiaries, and legal professionals alike.
