⚠️ This guide was researched and updated in May 2026. Laws and regulations change frequently. For specific legal advice regarding your jurisdiction, please consult with local legal counsel.
Choosing a Will Service in Ireland
In Ireland you can make a will with a solicitor, through a charity will campaign, with an online will service or from a template. This guide compares the routes and the questions worth asking before you choose one.
Four routes to writing your will
An Irish will must meet the signing and witnessing rules of the Succession Act 1965, whichever route you choose. The routes differ mainly in cost and the advice included.
A solicitor
A solicitor can draft a tailored will and advise on the legal right share, farm or business succession and capital acquisitions tax. This route suits larger or complicated estates and usually costs the most.
Highest cost · Tailored legal advice
A charity will campaign
Some charities run campaigns where participating solicitors prepare a basic will in return for a reduced fee or a donation. Check which firms take part and what the offer covers before relying on it.
Reduced fee · Limited to simpler wills
An online will service
An online will service asks structured questions and produces a will you print, sign and have witnessed. It can suit straightforward estates and typically costs less than a solicitor.
Lower cost · Structured, self-guided
A template or will kit
A blank template or kit is the cheapest route but offers no prompts or checks. A will not signed at the end and witnessed correctly may be invalid in Ireland, so this route carries the highest risk of errors.
Lowest cost · Highest risk of errors
How to choose the right route for you
There is no single “best” way to write a will. The right route depends on your circumstances. A few questions can help you weigh the options. If your situation is at all complex, it may be worth consulting a qualified professional before you decide.
- How straightforward your estate is. A modest estate with clear wishes needs less than one with business interests, trusts or assets in more than one country.
- Whether you need advice as well as a document. Some routes produce a will only, while others include professional guidance on tax and structure.
- The provider’s credentials: qualifications, regulation, professional-body membership and how complaints are handled.
- Total cost and what it covers. A low headline price may exclude storage, future updates or advice you later need.
- How the will is signed and witnessed. Every route still requires the formal signing and witnessing rules to be followed for the will to be valid.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a solicitor to make a will in Ireland?
No. An Irish will is valid whichever route you use, provided it is in writing, signed at the end and witnessed as the Succession Act 1965 requires. A solicitor may be worth the extra cost for farms, businesses or blended families. If in doubt, consider speaking to a qualified professional.
Can I leave my spouse out of my will in Ireland?
A surviving spouse or civil partner generally has a legal right to a share of the estate whatever the will says, and children can in some cases apply to court for provision. This is one of the most common reasons people take advice before making an Irish will.
Is an online will valid in Ireland?
A will made with an online will service can be just as valid as one drafted by a solicitor, provided it is printed, signed and witnessed correctly. The difference lies in the level of tailored advice, not the validity of the document.
How much does a will cost in Ireland?
Costs vary by route: templates are cheapest, online will services sit in the middle, and solicitor-drafted wills tend to cost the most. Compare what each price includes, such as storage, updates or advice, before you decide.
Related guides
Ready to make a start?
Whichever route you choose, the important thing is to have a valid, up-to-date will in place. You can begin online with structured prompts, or find a professional for advice on your own situation.
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