Families throughout Ireland and abroad are at war over wills and associated property matters. This is likely to increase with the downturn in the economy as more people try to keep up the standard of living to which they have become accustomed over the past 15 years of the Celtic Tiger economy said two leading probate lawyers.

Galway-based solicitor John G. Murphy, and his colleague Jason Dunne, authors of a new book titled Inheritance and Succession – The Complete Irish Guide, published by Liberties Press, were speaking to an attendance including judges, fellow lawyers, business people and students at the launch last week of the book at Newman House, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin.

"Disputes over wills and property are costing families throughout Ireland needless heartache and legal bills. In addition to these costs, they are leaving legacies of hatred and court battles for generations to come. Many people are living in quiet desperation over the matter.

"Half of all adults over the age of 18 may not have made a will. Only two out of ten business people may have identified who their successor might be. And two out of every three family businesses will fail in the next generation.

"The prospects ahead are less than pleasant. Most lawyers find an increase in the number of court cases over land, inheritances, divorces and separations. The cost in some cases is that assets have to be sold and proceeds divided, with a large portion of those proceeds going to the lawyers.

"Such legacies can be avoided in 95 per cent of cases. The method is education and mediation. Before engaging in a war which all sides may lose, talk with your legal advisers about mediation.

"Mediation worked in the Pat Kenny land case. Mediation works in even the most bitter of disputes. We believe that for 95 per cent of problems, there is a solution and that families need not end up in a waste of time and energy, courtroom battles for years to come or legacies to generations of sadness or hatred.

"The starting point for a permanent end to the disputes over wills and inheritances and succession is education in homes and schools about planning for life and living and the creation of understanding that planning investments, wealth management, succession planning and some provision for the next generation are part of that process."

John G. Murphy is originally from Dangan.

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