Making a Will is extremely important and is usually very straight forward. We can prepare a standard Will for you for €150.00 plus VAT (currently at 23%) or joint Wills for couples for €200.00 plus VAT (currently at 23%). We are also very experienced in administering estates and dealing with all issues that arise.
Who can dispute a Will?
We can advise in relation to disputes that can arise in relation to the interpretation and implementation of Wills and some of the people who may be entitled to claim include people who had a relationship with the Deceased such as:
- Wife or husband.
- Defacto or same-sex partner.
- Former spouse or de facto partner.
- Child, stepchild or grandchild.
- Parent of a child of the deceased.
- Parent, brother or sister.
- Someone who was financially dependent on the deceased.
- Carer of the deceased.
This is a very general guide only so please contact us to discuss your particular circumstances.
Is there a time limit?
“Yes there is a time limit. You generally have only twelve months from the date of death to make a claim. In certain circumstances this period can be shortened to six months. “
What if I don’t believe the Will was valid?
You can challenge a Will if you believe that the will is a forgery or if the person lacked the mental capacity to make a Will. You can also challenge a Will if you believe that undue influence was brought to bear upon the deceased or if there was fraud involved.
How do I make a claim?
First, contact a solicitor, who can assess your claim and discuss the particular circumstances of your claim. If it’s worth continuing we will contact the executors and notify them of your claim. We will then gather evidence, prepare documents and make an offer to the executors. Many claims are settled through negotiation at this stage.
If the matter isn’t resolved then we can lodge documents with the court to initiate proceedings. We can still negotiate and in some cases, mediation will be required by the court.
Failing all else, we will proceed to a court hearing wherein the evidence will be presented and the judge will make a decision.
We can help
At every stage of contesting or challenging a Will it’s important to have sound, experienced legal advice. We have the skills to negotiate on your behalf to avoid costly court fees, but if it comes down to court we also have the skills to fight on your behalf.
Contact us to find out more or to arrange a consultation with an experienced estate solicitor in Skerries.
