Publishing of Wills in Sunday Papers

Toplink

Hi Folks,

I see the Sunday Business Post publish a list of wills each week in the Marketing section of the paper. It looks like the information is porvided by www.businesspro.ie.

Do all wills that go to probate get published here each week? Or do they do they select certain wills?

I am just wondering if my late uncles will, will appear here eventually?

Hogzy

Not ALL wills are published as far as i know. It is only in the case where they may be looking for a beneficiary to the will or witnesses to its execution. There are a number of reasons why they would be published. Its usually to settle an abnormality with the will.

Jo King

It is usually the 10 or thereabouts highest value estates. If someone well known has left a will it might be included. Most of the estates published at the moment are valued at €750k plus.

newtoat

What I'd like to know is why and how publications are allowed publish information of little public interest value. Surely constitutional right to privacy is threatened...

234

newtoat wrote: »

What I'd like to know is why and how publications are allowed publish information of little public interest value. Surely constitutional right to privacy is threatened...

Once a will has been admitted to probate it becomes a public document. You can go down to the Probate Office and request a copy of anybody's will for a nominal fee. No question of a right to privacy arrises.

newtoat

I did not know that, thank you.

The question is, in principle, why is a Will a public document? What in the passing of private property is of public interest? I'm thinking the reason must be related to taxation?

234

newtoat wrote: »

I did not know that, thank you.

The question is, in principle, why is a Will a public document? What in the passing of private property is of public interest? I'm thinking the reason must be related to taxation?

To be honest I have no idea why. Seems to be a hangover from the 19th century and before. I would be all for making them confidential and just disclosing the details to the Revenue Commissioners etc. I guess on one level it ensured that the executors correctly distribute the estate as anybody can check who is entitled to what.
Somebody here with more expretise and experience could probable give a better answer.

bath handle

Will are public documents to help prevent cheating and fraud. People can't be cheated out of inheritances as easily when a will is a public document. Equally if somebody falsely tries to claim title to property based on a will, the truth can easily be established.

Victor

Haven't there been some changes to this recently, to stop newspapers / people making fishing trips?