Information only — this matter needs a solicitor. OnlineLegalServices.ie is operated by Plus Promotions Limited, which is not a solicitor’s practice and does not give legal advice or take on cases. This page is a general guide.
To instruct a solicitor, use the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory. For self-complete documents, see our legal templates.
Wondering how much it costs to make a will in Ireland — and whether you can do it without taking a day off work? This guide covers typical costs, why a will matters, how mirror wills for couples work, and how an online will drafting service works from start to finish.
How Much Does It Cost to Make a Will in Ireland?
The cost of making a will in Ireland typically ranges from around €150 to €400 when you visit a solicitor’s office in person. A straightforward single will is usually at the lower end, while wills involving business assets, trusts or complex family arrangements cost more. Couples making two wills together are often quoted €335–€500 for the pair.
Online will services have brought that cost down significantly. Mirror wills are not currently available on this site; when a solicitor prepares them, they are drafted from your instructions and checked by that solicitor before anything is finalised. There are no hourly rates, no hidden extras and no office visits.
Be cautious of free DIY will templates. A will that is badly worded, incorrectly signed or improperly witnessed can be partially or wholly invalid — and the cost of fixing problems after death (or of an estate passing under intestacy rules) is far higher than the cost of doing it properly the first time.
Why Making a Will Matters
If you die without a valid will in Ireland, you die “intestate” and the Succession Act 1965 decides who inherits — not you. A surviving spouse or civil partner takes two-thirds of the estate and children share the remaining one-third; if there is no spouse, everything passes to children, then parents, then siblings, in a strict statutory order.
A valid will lets you:
- Choose exactly who inherits your home, savings and personal items;
- Appoint executors you trust to administer the estate;
- Nominate guardians for children under 18;
- Provide for a partner you are not married to — cohabitants have no automatic inheritance rights in Ireland;
- Plan around Capital Acquisitions Tax so beneficiaries keep more of what you leave;
- Reduce the risk of family disputes and lengthy probate delays.
Making a will also makes probate faster and cheaper for your family. You can read our wills and estate guides in the Wills & Probate category.
What Are Mirror Wills?
Mirror wills are a pair of near-identical wills made by a couple — married, civil partners or long-term cohabitants. Each will “mirrors” the other: typically each partner leaves everything to the other, and then to the children (or other agreed beneficiaries) if the other partner has already died.
They suit couples whose wishes align. Because both documents are prepared together from one set of instructions, mirror wills are usually quicker to prepare than two separately drafted wills. Each will remains a separate legal document, and either partner can update theirs later if circumstances change.
How an Online Will Service Works
Step 1 — Complete the online form
Read about the online will drafting service; with a service of this kind you complete a plain-English questionnaire covering your assets, beneficiaries, executors and guardians. It takes most couples 20–30 minutes.
Step 2 — Solicitor review
An Irish solicitor reviews your instructions, flags anything unclear (for example, legal right share issues, foreign property or a beneficiary under 18) and drafts both wills. If anything needs a conversation, we contact you — there is no extra charge for clarifications.
Step 3 — Sign your wills
A solicitor would send your finalised wills with step-by-step signing instructions. You print and sign each will in the presence of two witnesses, who then sign in your presence. Once correctly executed, your wills are legally binding.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to make a will in Ireland?
Online mirror wills for a couple, including solicitor review, are not currently available on this site. Single wills and more complex estate planning are also available — browse the Family & Wills category for options.
Is an online will legally valid in Ireland?
Yes — provided it meets the requirements of the Succession Act 1965. The will must be in writing, made by a person over 18 of sound mind, signed at the end by the testator, and witnessed by two people present at the same time. How the will was drafted (online or in an office) makes no difference to validity; what matters is the content and correct execution. A solicitor you instruct reviews and signing instructions are designed to get both right.
Who can witness my will?
Any two adults with capacity can witness your signature — neighbours, friends or colleagues are all fine. Crucially, a beneficiary (or the spouse/civil partner of a beneficiary) should never act as a witness: the will remains valid, but that gift fails. Your executor can witness as long as they are not also a beneficiary.
How do I update my will later?
Review your will after major life events — marriage (which generally revokes an existing will), separation or divorce, a new child, buying property or a significant change in assets. Minor changes can be made by a codicil, but in most cases the cleanest approach is a fresh will, which automatically revokes the old one.
Work of this kind is carried out by a solicitor regulated by the Law Society of Ireland. We are not a solicitor’s practice and do not provide it — to instruct a solicitor, use the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory.
OnlineLegalServices.ie is operated by Plus Promotions Limited, which is not a solicitor’s practice and does not give legal advice. Work of this kind is carried out by a solicitor regulated by the Law Society of Ireland. We are not a solicitor’s practice and do not provide it — to instruct a solicitor, use the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory. Every will prepared by a solicitor of your choice is reviewed by a qualified solicitor before it is issued — you get the convenience of an online service with the assurance of regulated professional advice.
Ready to start? Make your will online today — not currently available on this site.
Not currently available — we are working to appoint a new solicitor. OnlineLegalServices.ie is operated by Plus Promotions Limited, which is not a solicitor’s practice and does not give legal advice, so the solicitor service described on this page cannot be ordered here; the page is kept as general information. To instruct a solicitor, use the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory, or join our no-fee waiting list to be told when solicitor services are available again.