Making a Will Northern Ireland

Article reviewed on 10 June 2025

A Will is a legal document that lets you decide what happens to your money, property, and belongings after you die. In Northern Ireland, the law around Wills follows a different process to the rest of the UK, so it’s important to ensure your Will is written properly and legally recognised.

Without a Will, the law decides who inherits your estate — not you. That’s why writing a Will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones.

Why Make an Online Will?

A Will gives you peace of mind. It makes your wishes clear, prevents confusion, and helps avoid delays or disputes after you’re gone. You can decide who inherits what — whether that’s your house, savings, car, or personal possessions — and you can also appoint someone you trust to manage everything on your behalf.

Without a Will, your estate is shared according to intestacy rules in Northern Ireland. These rules may leave out unmarried partners, stepchildren, or close friends entirely, even if they were an important part of your life.

Using an online Will service is one of the easiest ways to make your Will legally valid. It’s simple, affordable, and gives you control over your estate in just minutes.


How to Make a Will in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, you can make a Will in a few different ways:

  • Write your own Will: You can legally write your own Will, but it must meet all legal requirements to be valid. Using an online platform like Swiftwills helps ensure your Will is properly written and clearly structured.

  • Use a solicitor: If you have a complex estate or specific legal concerns, you may wish to consult a solicitor to help draft your Will.

Considerations for Making a Will in Northern Ireland

When writing a Will in Northern Ireland, the following legal points must be considered:

  • Legal formalities: Your Will must be in writing and signed by you, the testator. You must sign in the presence of two witnesses, who must also sign the Will in your presence. These witnesses must not be people who will benefit from your Will.

  • Intestacy in Northern Ireland: If you die without a Will, strict rules apply and your estate falls under the Intestacy (Northern Ireland) Order 1994, which may not reflect your relationships or match your personal wishes — so making a Will is the only way to guarantee your estate is handled how you want.

  • Leaving specific gifts: If you want to leave certain people money, property, or belongings, your Will must clearly name them and specify what they are to receive.

  • Executors and Guardians: Appoint trusted individuals to administer your estate and care for any minor children.

  • Regular Review: Life events like marriage, divorce or acquiring property should trigger a Will review to keep it up to date.

Why Choose Our Online Service?

Writing a Will in Northern Ireland doesn’t have to be complicated. With SwiftWills, you can create your own legally binding online Will in just a few steps. Our platform is built to meet the legal standards in Northern Ireland and ensures your Will reflects your exact wishes.




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