TWO-THIRDS OF IRISH adults do not have a will and are being urged to participate in an initiative later this month to avoid families entering into legal bitter legal disputes after their death.
Understandably, the stats vary by age group with 82 per cent of those over 65 years having a will. Only 51 per cent of those aged 45 – 64 have made the legal arrangements however.
The information comes from charity group MyLegacy whose goal is to encourage people to include a charitable donation as part of their estate. MyLegacy says that their research shows that people are keen to include charitable donations in their will but that there is disconnect between that desire and its occurrence in reality.
They estimate that of the 34 per cent of people who have completed their will 10-12 per cent have included a gift to charity. Of those who don’t yet have a will, 30 per cent would like to leave a gift to a charity in their will and this desire is highest among 18 – 24 year-olds.
As part of their work MyLegacy have partnered with 280 solicitors around the country to offer cheaper advice to those completing their will. The initiative runs for the week beginning 21 October and offers consultations for a fee of €50 for people interested in making their will, or updating an existing will.
One of the participating solicitors Leo Mangan of Mangan O’Beirne in Dublin says that there is misconception that making a will is unduly complicated. The misconception should not lead to complacency he says, “Without a will, problems, both legal and personal, can be expensive and endless. A will allows a person to decide who they wish to benefit.”
A list of participating solicitors can be found on the Best Will in the World Week website.
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