Joanne Leetch, a Wills and Probate solicitor here at Callan Tansey, was delighted to have been asked by RTE to make a contribution to an article on “Should young people make a Will“.
Why should young people make a will?
With only around one third of Irish adults having made a formal will, most young people will not have one and it is unlikely they consider it a priority. However our Joanne Leetch believes it is something all young people should consider.
“It is so important for young people to make wills, even a basic one is sufficient, it’s about control, clarity and care for those you leave behind,” she said.
“I feel that younger people do not want to consider their own mortality and feel that it is “morbid” to discuss what is to happen their estate in the event of their death. There is definitely a sense of discomfort with the topic.”
“Unfortunately, with the increasing rise of sudden deaths of younger people in Ireland, wills are something which should be considered and actioned.”
What protection does a will provide for young people?
“It provides protection for Partners, in the event that you are not legally married, a cohabitee is not automatically entitled to any share in their deceased partner’s estate, unlike a spouse,” explains Joanne.
“In the context of young children, a will lets you appoint trustees/testamentary guardians who are charged with the care and maintenance of minor children. Trustees are tasked with looking after the assets in the estate until such time as they can be transferred to the minor beneficiaries (usually on them reaching the age of 21 years),” she added.
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