Why Northern Ireland needs its own Will
Northern Ireland has its own succession law. The formalities for signing a Will are almost the same as in England and Wales, but almost everything around them is different: the statute that governs Wills, the rules that decide who inherits when there is no Will, the powers trustees have, the court that grants probate and the fees it charges. A Will written for England and Wales cites the wrong law throughout and rests on assumptions that do not hold in Belfast or Derry.
That is why ClearLegacy built a separate edition rather than switching a few words. The Northern Ireland questionnaire, the drafting, the review checks and the signing instructions all follow the 1994 Order and the Administration of Estates Act (Northern Ireland) 1955.
What is different, in one table
| England & Wales | Northern Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Wills statute | Wills Act 1837 | Wills and Administration Proceedings (NI) Order 1994 |
| Intestacy | Administration of Estates Act 1925; spouse takes £322,000 then half | Administration of Estates Act (NI) 1955; spouse takes £250,000 then half (one child) or a third (more) |
| Spouse, no children | Takes everything | Takes everything only if no parent or sibling survives; otherwise £450,000 and half |
| Trustee powers | Trustee Act 1925 (as amended 2014) | Trustee Act (NI) 1958 |
| Family provision | Inheritance Act 1975 | Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) (NI) Order 1979 |
| Probate | HMCTS; £526 fee | Probate Office, Belfast; £326 fee plus £81 for personal applicants |
Guides for Northern Ireland
Every guide below is written for Northern Ireland law and cites the Northern Ireland statute, with sources and a review date on the page.
Which site should I use?
Live in England or Wales? You are in the right place — start your Will here. Live in Northern Ireland? Use the Northern Ireland questionnaire; every Northern Ireland postcode begins BT and the form checks for it. ClearLegacy does not cover Scotland, whose succession law is different again.
Frequently asked questions
Make your Will for Northern Ireland
Single Will £69. Mirror Wills £99. Drafted to the 1994 Order, checked before it’s issued, usually delivered within 24 hours.
Start My Northern Ireland Will — £69 →