Yes, an online will can be legal in Ireland.
But “online” is where people get tripped up. In Ireland, what matters is not how the will is created. What matters is how it is executed (signed and witnessed).
This guide explains what’s legal in Ireland, what isn’t, and the practical steps that make the difference between a valid will and a costly mistake.
What “Online Will” Actually Means
An “online will” usually means a will that is generated online using a template or guided form.
That can be perfectly acceptable under Irish law. A will does not need to be drafted by a solicitor to be valid. The rules come from Irish succession law, including the Succession Act 1965.
However, generating a will online is not the same thing as signing a will online.
What Is Not Legal in Ireland (The Common Misunderstanding)
Electronic signatures are not valid for wills in Ireland.
So a will is not made legally valid by clicking a button, typing your name, using DocuSign, signing on a phone, or any other form of e-signature.
If your “online will” is never printed and physically signed with witnesses present, you are relying on wishful thinking — and Irish law does not reward wishful thinking.
What Makes a Will Valid in Ireland
For an online-generated will to be legally valid in Ireland, it still has to meet the formal execution requirements. In practice, that means:
- the will is in writing
- you are 18 or over and of sound mind when you sign
- you sign at the end of the document
- you sign in the presence of two witnesses
- both witnesses are present at the same time
- the witnesses also sign
- each witness is over 18
- the witnesses do not benefit under the will (and neither does a witness’s spouse or civil partner)
Most will problems in Ireland are not caused by wording. They are caused by witnessing mistakes.
The Witness Rule That Catches People Out
In Ireland, if a witness (or their spouse/civil partner) is given a gift in the will, that gift can fail.
So your witnesses should be adults who are:
- independent
- not beneficiaries under the will
- not the spouse/civil partner of a beneficiary under the will
This one rule causes an astonishing amount of avoidable mess.
Will an Online-Generated Will Hold Up in Court?
If it is properly executed, an online-generated will can be treated like any other will.
The court’s focus is not whether a solicitor wrote it. The focus is whether:
- the legal formalities were followed
- you had capacity
- there is any evidence of undue influence or fraud
That is why clear structure and correct execution matter more than where the document came from.
When You Should Speak to a Solicitor
Even though a solicitor is not required for a valid will, professional advice is strongly recommended if you have:
- property outside Ireland
- complex business interests or partnership arrangements
- trust arrangements beyond basic guardianship planning
- a blended family with competing expectations
- significant tax planning needs
For straightforward circumstances, a properly structured will with correct execution is often enough. For complex circumstances, saving money in the wrong place can cost far more later.
A Practical Next Step
If your main concern has been “Will an online will be legal?”, here is the simple answer:
Online generation is fine. Online signing is not.
So the sensible next step is to use a will designed for Irish law, then make sure it is printed, signed, and witnessed correctly. Execution is the part that turns a document into a valid will.
This article is general information for Ireland and is not legal advice. If your circumstances are complex (for example, foreign property or complex trusts), you should speak to a qualified Irish solicitor.
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