Ruling sounds death-knell for public access to wills

[Furze]

Ruling sounds death-knell for public access to wills - National News, Frontpage - Independent.ie

I wonder who wants to hide what ? or maybe I need to get a life.
Grand olde convention for last 40 yrs wiped.

[asset test]

I always thought the Inland Revenue Affidavit was a public record document.

Seems if you are wealthy enough you can hide the details now. Shame. It was the only way to establish what the neighbours left behind. I am devastated.

[bactrian]

If I understand this ruling correctly the details of the estate i.e. what was owned and the details of addresses of beneficiaries and previous gifts will no longer be available ,but, the total value of the deceased's estate and the share, value, proportion and identity of beneficiaries will be open and public. This is not necessarily a huge change and does not hide the essential information which is normally disclosed.

[Furze]

If I understand this ruling correctly the details of the estate i.e. what was owned and the details of addresses of beneficiaries and previous gifts will no longer be available ,but, the total value of the deceased's estate and the share, value, proportion and identity of beneficiaries will be open and public. This is not necessarily a huge change and does not hide the essential information which is normally disclosed.

From above article
"Following these letters and an examination of the situation by the Probate Office, the President of the High Court issued a 'practice direction' to the Probate Office that a document known as the Inland Revenue Affidavit, which lists details of property and other assets held by a person, can now only be inspected by people who benefit from a will or a Government official who has a legitimate interest in its contents.

[cactusflower]

There are the beginnings of pressure for wealth tax...

Any connection?

[cyberianpan]

From above article
"Following these letters and an examination of the situation by the Probate Office, the President of the High Court issued a 'practice direction' to the Probate Office that a document known as the Inland Revenue Affidavit, which lists details of property and other assets held by a person, can now only be inspected by people who benefit from a will o[COLOR=SeaGreen]r a Government official who has a legitimate interest in its contents[/COLOR].

Indeed - and that also goes to show the Statist mentality of our civil servants

What about a journalist, private detective or private solicitor : surely they also might have legitimate interest ...?

cYp

[InReality]

Yeap should not have been changed. Hate small sneaky changes like this !

[Libero]

If I understand this ruling correctly the details of the estate i.e. what was owned and the details of addresses of beneficiaries and previous gifts will no longer be available ,but, the total value of the deceased's estate and the share, value, proportion and identity of beneficiaries will be open and public. This is not necessarily a huge change and does not hide the essential information which is normally disclosed.

The quote provided by Furze, read literally, suggests that the details you list will be included in the information to be restricted.

I think Revenue appreciate the effect that comes from knowing that the Revenue Affidavit is public: it makes all involved likely to hide the size of the estate if they think they'll be called on it by an inquiring member of the public.