intestacy rules in ireland

What happens in Irish law if a person dies without having made a will ?

For deaths after 1 January 1967 the situation is governed by the Succession Act 1965:

Position	Outcome
Married - no children	Spouse takes all
You are married with children	Spouse takes two thirds - children take one third between them
You are married with some children living and with some grandchildren - children of a deceased child	Spouse takes two thirds - children take one third between them with grandchildren taking their deceased's parents share
You are married with no children living but with some grandchildren - children of several deceased children	Spouse takes two thirds - grandchildren take one third between them - all equal shares
You are single - no children - two parents survive	Parents take all - equal share
You are single - no children - one parent survives	Surviving parent takes all
You are single - no parents - no children - brothers and sisters survive	Brothers and sisters take all between them in equal shares
You are single - no parents - no children - brothers and sisters survive - some brothers and sisters have died leaving children	Brothers and sisters take equal shares between them with the nephews and nieces taking their deceased parents share
You are single - no parents - no children - no brothers and sisters survive - some brothers and sisters have died leaving children	The nephews and nieces taking the entire between them in equal shares

The above is a brief summary of some of the effects of the Succession Act 1965
in the case where a person dies intestate i.e. without having made a will
and where succession to property is governed by Irish law.

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