Despite its importance, a significant proportion of adults in Northern Ireland do not have a valid will. Belfast solicitors regularly deal with the complications that arise when someone dies without making adequate provision, and the message from the legal profession is clear: making a will is one of the most important things you can do.
What Happens If You Die Without a Will?
If you die without a valid will in Northern Ireland, your estate is distributed according to the rules of intestacy set out in the Administration of Estates Act (Northern Ireland) 1955. These rules may not reflect your wishes:
- If you are married with children, your spouse receives personal belongings, the first £250,000 of the estate, and a life interest in half of the remainder.
- Unmarried partners receive nothing under the intestacy rules, regardless of the length of the relationship.
- If you have no surviving spouse or children, the estate passes to parents, siblings, or more distant relatives in a fixed order.
- If no relatives can be traced, the estate passes to the Crown.
Key Reasons to Make a Will
Making a will allows you to:
- Choose who inherits your assets
- Appoint guardians for minor children
- Minimise the potential for family disputes
- Make provision for unmarried partners or stepchildren
- Include charitable bequests
- Appoint trusted executors to administer your estate
Getting Professional Advice
While it is possible to draft a will without professional help, Belfast solicitors strongly recommend instructing a qualified solicitor. A professionally drafted will is far less likely to be challenged or found to be invalid, and a solicitor can advise on inheritance tax planning and other considerations.
Many Belfast solicitors offer fixed-fee will drafting services. Taking the time to make a will now can save your family considerable stress, expense, and uncertainty in the future.