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Inheritance rights of cohabiting couples

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Question: My partner and I have two young children together. We live together but we are not married and haven’t got around to making our wills. If something happened to one of us, would we automatically be entitled to each other’s estate?

Answer: It is important for you and your partner to discuss the matter of inheritance sooner rather than later. Because you are not married, neither of you is automatically entitled to inherit anything from the other. If your partner dies without a will, you have no right to any share of their estate no matter how long you have been together. So, for example, if you live with your partner but they own the house, you could be left in very difficult circumstances if they were to die unexpectedly.

If you own items jointly, these automatically pass to you and are not part of your partner’s estate. However, you might need to pay Capital Acquisitions Tax if the inheritance is above a certain threshold or value.

If your partner has not made a will or has not provided for you, you may be able to apply to the courts to provide for you from your partner’s estate. This is known as the redress scheme for cohabiting couples. If you get redress by a court under this scheme, you may be exempt from paying Capital Acquisition Tax.
However, making a will can ensure that proper arrangements are made for you and your dependants and that any property is distributed in the way you both wish, subject to certain rights of spouses and children. Tax planning advice can help reduce or minimise the amount of tax your partner or family must pay. A solicitor can help you draft a will or you can draft one yourself.
You can read more about inheritance rights of cohabiting couples on citizensinformation.ie.

During COVID-19, you can find comprehensive integrated information online at citizensinformation.ie/covid19/ and you can get daily updates on what’s changed on Twitter at @citizensinfo.

You can also get information and advice from:
Tralee on Tel: Call 0761 07 7860, Monday – Friday (10am-4pm)
The Citizens Information Phone Service: Call 0761 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm
Our national call back service: Visit citizensinformation.ie/callback to request a phone call from an information officer

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Killarney couples renew vows at St Mary’s Cathedral

Several couples celebrating significant wedding anniversaries gathered last Saturday at St Mary’s Cathedral to renew their vows. The annual event, organised by Killarney Parish Administrator Fr Kieran O’Brien, is a […]

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Several couples celebrating significant wedding anniversaries gathered last Saturday at St Mary’s Cathedral to renew their vows. The annual event, organised by Killarney Parish Administrator Fr Kieran O’Brien, is a local tradition for those marking significant milestones and anniversaries.
Fr O’Brien was assisted by Fr Vitalis Barasa.
Following the ceremony, the couples, along with family and friends, moved to St Brendan’s College for refreshments. Attendees exchanged stories, and reminisced about their wedding days.
Couples Celebrating Anniversaries:

25th Wedding Anniversary

Andy and Norma McHugh, Carhoonahane, Beaufort
Mike and Sheila Daly, Glean Tober, Gortdromakerry, Muckross
Cathal and Mairead Dunphy, Lyranes Lower, Glencar
Michael and Susan Keane, Aughacasla, Castlegregory

30th Wedding Anniversary

Bernadette Randles and Vincent Casey, Muckross Road
Paul and Deirdre McEnteggart, Ashgrove, Firies
Tony and Teresa O’Gorman, Glosha, Cromane, Killorglin
Seamus and Ella Clifford, Ardaneanig
Hillary and Moira Fleming, Whitebridge
Donal and Caroline McCarthy, Countess Road

35th Wedding Anniversary

Paudie and Joan Mangan, Riverhaven, Coolcorcoran
Michael and Marian Lucey, Knockeenduff
Liam and Marie Courtney, Minish East

40th Wedding Anniversary

Joe and Caroline Hurley, Whitebridge Manor
Michael and Cliona O’Sullivan, Knocknasartnett
Sean and Margaret McCarthy, Kenmare Road, Muckross
Noel and Rita Curtin, Pinewood Estate
Tim and Catherine Moriarty, Gortagullane, Muckross
Neilly and Bridie O’Mahony, Knockeragh
Donal and Linda O’Donoghue, Knockeenduve
Padraig and Mary Kissane, Minish

45th Wedding Anniversary

Tony and Marie Nolan, Whitebridge Manor
Jerry and Lena Kelleher, Islanderagh, Rathmore, Co. Kerry
Liam and Helen O’Brien, Rookery Road

50th Wedding Anniversary

James and Margaret Arthur, St Brendan’s Place
John and Chris Mannix, Flesk Lodge, Muckross Road
Patrick and Breda Moriarty, Gortagullane, Muckross
Batt and Nora Healy, Upper Lissivigeen
John and Margaret Mc Carthy, Muckross Grove
Sean and Mary Kavanagh, “Tiriúil”, Muckross Road
Frank and Siobhán Lewis, Gortagullane, Muckross
Bernie and Katherine Cronin, Knopogue, Aghadoe
Ted and Phil Ahern, Faha
Michael and Kathleen Doyle, Carhoonahone, Beaufort
Joe and Breeda Lyons, Kilbrack, Oakpark, Demesne, Tralee
Eckhart and Patricia Gogsch, Demense, Ross Road
Will and Teresa Burke, Muckross Grove

55th Wedding Anniversary

Paddy and Mary Casey, Gortacoosh, Glenflesk
Pat and Alice O’Sullivan, Minish
Michael and Noreen Marshall, Muckross Grove
60th Wedding Anniversary
Marie and Sean O’Brien, New Road
Jimmy and Myra O’Gorman, Dunrine, Tralee Road
Pat and Joan Cahill, Flesk Bridge, Muckross Road
William and Maura O’Neill, Park Drive

63rd Wedding Anniversary

Sean and Breege O’Donoghue, Flesk Castle, Mill Road

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Trainee chef wins two medals at Chef Ireland Competition

Iryna Kravchenko, a chef trainee from Killarney studying on the City & Guilds Diploma in Food Production and Cooking Programme, has won two medals at the Chef Ireland Competition. The […]

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Iryna Kravchenko, a chef trainee from Killarney studying on the City & Guilds Diploma in Food Production and Cooking Programme, has won two medals at the Chef Ireland Competition.

The competition, held at the RDS last month and hosted by The Panel of Chefs of Ireland, saw Kravchenko receive a gold medal for the Hand-Crafted Chocolates Competition and a Silver medal for the Hot Pudding Souffle Competition.
“We are immensely proud of our students and their dedication and hard work earned them their awards,” said Frances Griffin, Catering Instructor at the National Learning Network in Tralee.

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