What does a will cost in Ireland? The straightforward answer
At Coyne Solicitors, a single will costs EUR 369 and a couples' will costs EUR 615. Both prices are VAT-inclusive, and there are no hidden fees.
Here is what is included in that price:
- An initial consultation to discuss your wishes, your family circumstances, and any specific requirements
- Professional drafting of your will by a qualified solicitor
- Guidance on appointing executors (the people who carry out your will), naming guardians for minor children, and structuring the gifts you leave
- A signing appointment at our offices in Lucan, west Dublin, with two witnesses provided
- Secure storage of your original will available as an optional extra
That is the complete cost. There are no additional charges for the consultation or for revisions during the drafting process. You know exactly what you are paying before you start.
What affects the cost of making a will?
Not all wills are the same, and the cost can vary depending on the complexity of your situation. Most straightforward wills fall comfortably within the fixed-fee range. Here are the factors that can affect the price:
Simple versus complex wills
A simple will typically involves leaving your estate to your spouse and children, appointing an executor, and naming guardians. This kind of will suits most straightforward situations and is covered by the fixed fee.
More complex situations may include:
- Multiple property types — if you own property in Ireland and abroad, additional drafting may be needed to ensure your will is valid in each jurisdiction
- Business interests — if you own a business or shares in a company, your will should address how those interests are dealt with after your death
- Trusts — if you want to set up a trust for minor children or for tax planning purposes, this adds an extra layer of drafting
- Blended families — if you have children from previous relationships, careful drafting is needed to ensure fair provision for everyone
- Large number of specific bequests — if you want to leave specific items or sums to many different people, the will becomes longer and more detailed
If your situation is more complex, your solicitor will discuss the additional work involved and agree a fee with you before proceeding. There are no surprises.
Solicitor-drafted wills versus online will-writing services
You can find online will-writing services for under EUR 100 — some basic templates cost as little as EUR 30, and a few charity schemes even offer free online wills. At first glance, the saving looks attractive. But there are important differences between an online form and a will prepared by a qualified solicitor.
What a solicitor provides that an online service does not
- Legal advice — a solicitor will advise you on guardianship, inheritance tax planning, the dwelling house exemption, and other reliefs that could save your family thousands of euro
- Validity — a solicitor ensures your will meets all the legal requirements under Irish law, including proper witnessing and execution. Errors in these formalities can invalidate a will entirely
- Tailored drafting — every family is different. A solicitor drafts your will to reflect your specific circumstances, not a one-size-fits-all template
- Safe storage available — secure storage of your original will is available as an optional extra, so it can be located when it is needed
- Ongoing relationship — when your circumstances change, you have a solicitor who knows your situation and can advise on whether your will needs updating
When does the extra cost matter most?
If you have children, property, or any assets of significant value, the difference between a professionally drafted will and an online form is not a luxury. It is a safeguard. A will that fails to appoint guardians properly, misses a tax-saving opportunity, or turns out to be invalid can cost your family far more than the money saved upfront.
For a single person with no dependants and modest assets, an online will may be adequate. But for families, homeowners, and anyone with assets above the Capital Acquisitions Tax thresholds, professional advice pays for itself many times over.
Couples' wills: why both partners need one
One of the most common questions we hear is: "We own everything jointly, so do we both need a will?" The answer is yes, and here is why.
If you own assets as joint tenants, the surviving partner inherits them automatically when one of you dies. If you hold property as tenants in common, however, your share does not pass automatically — it is distributed under your will — or, if you have no will, under the rules of intestacy (the law's default order of inheritance). And in every case, what happens when the surviving partner dies? Without a will, intestacy decides who inherits, and those rules may not match your wishes.
A couples' will (sometimes called mirror wills) ensures that both partners have a valid will in place, covering what happens at both the first and second death. It addresses guardianship, executors, and the distribution of assets at each stage.
At Coyne Solicitors, a couples' will costs EUR 615, which is significantly better value than two individual wills at EUR 369 each (EUR 738 in total). Both wills are prepared in the same consultation, saving you time as well as money.
How does the cost compare across Ireland?
Solicitors' fees for will preparation vary across Ireland — there is no set rate. Straightforward single wills typically range from around EUR 150 to EUR 500 depending on the firm and the complexity of your estate, with Dublin firms tending towards the upper end of that range.
Some solicitors charge by the hour rather than offering a fixed fee, which can make it difficult to predict the final cost. At Coyne Solicitors, we believe that transparent, fixed pricing is fairer and simpler. You know exactly what you will pay, and you can budget accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to make a will in Ireland?
At Coyne Solicitors, a single will costs EUR 369 and a couples' will costs EUR 615. Both prices are VAT-inclusive with no hidden charges. There is no set fee across Ireland — straightforward single wills typically range from around EUR 150 to EUR 500 depending on the firm and the complexity of your estate.
Is it worth paying a solicitor to make a will?
Yes, particularly if you have children, property, or assets above the tax-free thresholds. A solicitor provides legal advice on guardianship, tax planning, and validity that online will-writing services cannot offer. The cost of professional advice is small compared to the potential tax savings and the peace of mind that your will is legally sound.
Can I make a will myself for free?
You can write your own will, but it must meet strict legal requirements to be valid in Ireland. It must be in writing and signed by you in the presence of two witnesses, who must both be present at the same time. Each witness must then sign the will in your presence. And any gift you leave to a witness, or to their spouse or civil partner, is void — even though the will itself remains valid. Improper execution — mistakes in the signing and witnessing — is a well-recognised reason home-made wills fail. For most people, the cost of a solicitor-drafted will is a worthwhile investment.
What is included in the fixed fee?
The fixed fee at Coyne Solicitors covers the initial consultation, drafting, and a signing appointment with witnesses. Secure storage of your original will is available as an optional extra. There are no hidden charges.
Start your will today
A professionally drafted will costs around EUR 1 a day over a year. For that investment, you get the peace of mind that your family is protected, your children's guardians are chosen by you, and your assets are distributed according to your wishes.
At Coyne Solicitors, our fixed fees mean no surprises: EUR 369 for a single will, EUR 615 for couples. Every will includes a full consultation and expert drafting, with secure storage available as an optional extra.
If you would like to find out more about whether you need a will, or if you are ready to get started, visit our wills service page to request your consultation. Our team in Lucan, Dublin, is here to help.
