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<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif"><i>Becoming a parent is a wonderful and life-changing event, and for single parents, the responsibility can feel even greater. </i></span></p><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">One of the most important steps you can take to protect your child’s future is to make a will. A well-drafted will ensures that your wishes are respected and that your child is cared for, both emotionally and financially, should anything happen to you. Here are the key considerations for single parents when making a will.</span></p><h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Appointing a Guardian</span></h3><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Perhaps the most crucial decision for a single parent is appointing a guardian for your child. This is the person who will take on parental responsibility if you pass away before your child turns 18.</span></p><ul><li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Choose Carefully: Consider who shares your values, has a good relationship with your child, and is willing and able to take on the role.</span></li><li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Discuss Your Choice: Speak to your chosen guardian beforehand to ensure they are comfortable with the responsibility.</span></li><li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Name a Substitute: It is helpful to name an alternative guardian in case your first choice is unable or unwilling to act when the time comes.</span></li></ul><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">The legislation in this area is the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964. Section 6 of the Act provides that, on the death of the parent of an infant, any surviving parent shall be the guardian either alone or jointly with any guardian appointed under a Will. Section 7 of this Act specifies that the guardian named under the Will (testamentary guardian) shall act alongside any surviving parent as joint guardians. Either the testamentary guardian or a surviving parent can apply to court for orders pertaining to the custody of the infant.</span></p><h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Financial Provision for your Child</span></h3><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">You will want to ensure that your child is financially secure. This involves deciding how your assets will be managed and distributed.</span></p><ul><li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Trusts for Minors: Children under 18 cannot inherit directly. You can set up a trust in your will, specifying how and when your child should receive their inheritance.</span></li><li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Appointing Trustees: Trustees manage the assets on behalf of your child until they reach the age you specify (often 18 or 21). Choose people you trust to act in your child’s best interests.</span></li><li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Specific Gifts: You may wish to leave particular items or sums of money to your child or others.</span></li></ul><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">You will also need to appoint an executor(s). This is the person(s) who carry out your wishes. They can be the same people as the trustees.</span></p><h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Letter of Wishes</span></h3><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">While not legally binding, a letter of wishes can accompany your will. This document can provide guidance to guardians and trustees about how you would like your child to be raised, educated, or supported. </span></p><h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Reviewing your Will</span></h3><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Circumstances change over time. Review your will regularly, especially if there are changes in your family situation, finances, or if your chosen guardian’s circumstances change. </span></p><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">It is also important to let your executor, trustees, guardian know where your original Will is stored - and perhaps retain a copy at home.</span></p><h3 style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Conclusion</span></h3><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">Making a will as a single parent can be complex, particularly when trusts and guardianship are involved. It’s advisable to speak to your solicitor to ensure your will is valid and reflects your wishes accurately.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif"><i>Elaine Byrne is a solicitor with Elaine Byrne Solicitors in Athboy, County Meath</i></span></p><p><span style="color:black;font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif"><strong>Disclaimer: </strong>Please note that this article is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be legal advice. While every care has been taken in its production, no legal responsibility or liability is accepted warranted or implied by the author, publishers or the Law Society of Ireland in respect of any errors, omissions or misstatement. Readers are advised to seek independent professional legal advice before acting on anything in this article.   </span><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif"> </span></p>

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Making a Will as a Single Parent: Key Legal and Practical Considerations

<p>When a person dies after spending the final months or years in a nursing home, there may be a debt to the nursing home which will be due for payment.</p><p>These outstanding debts may cause stress for spouses, children and family members of the deceased. The following is a short guide to the way nursing home debts are treated in Ireland.<br />If in doubt, get independent legal and financial advice.</p><h3>Responsibility for Nursing Home Debt</h3><p>In Ireland, nursing home debt is the responsibility of the deceased's estate and is paid after their death by their personal representative (executor or administrator).</p><p>If the deceased was in the <a href="https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/fair-deal-scheme/about/">Fair Deal Scheme</a>, any outstanding loan facility from the HSE must be repaid from the estate (funded by the sale of the deceased’s property), usually:</p><ul><li>Within 12 months of death, or</li><li>Within 6 months if the home was sold (prior to passing away) or transferred.</li></ul><p>Nursing homes and the HSE can claim unpaid fees from the estate. If the estate is insolvent (has insufficient assets), these debts may go unpaid.</p><h4>The Deceased's Estate is Responsible for Outstanding Debts</h4><ul><li>Personal Representative: The executor (if there was a will) or administrator (if there was no will – known as dying intestate) will gather all the assets of the deceased.</li><li>Insolvent Estate: If the estate's assets aren't enough to cover the funeral expenses, administration costs, and debts, it is considered insolvent.</li><li>No Obligation for Children: Children of the deceased are not typically obligated to pay nursing home debts unless they were a guarantor for the debt or the debt was in their name as well. If the estate is insufficient to cover debts, the beneficiaries typically do not have to pay them personally.</li></ul><h4>Fair Deal Scheme and Loan Repayment</h4><ul><li>Loan Postponement: Under the Fair Deal Scheme, the HSE pays nursing home fees, and a loan can be taken out based on assets like property, with repayment postponed until after the person's death.</li><li>Repayment Timeline: This loan must be repaid within 12 months of the person's death, or within 6 months if their property is sold or transferred at any point.</li><li>Interest: If the loan is not repaid by the due date, interest will be charged from the date of death.</li></ul><h4>Process of Paying Debts</h4><ol><li>Funeral and Administration Expenses: The first priority is to pay for the funeral and the expenses of managing the estate.</li><li>Preferential Debts: Next are preferential debts like taxes.</li><li>Ordinary Debts: Finally, other ordinary debts, such as nursing home fees and other unsecured debts (like credit cards and loans), are paid from any remaining assets.</li></ol><h4>If There Are No Assets</h4><ul><li>If the deceased has no assets, the debts cannot be paid, and the creditors will likely have to write off the debt.</li><li>The HSE and other creditors cannot claim the debt from the family of the deceased unless they are legally responsible for it.</li></ul><h3>What You Should Do</h3><ul><li>Contact the Executor/Administrator: If you are a family member, you should contact the personal representative to understand the estate's financial status.</li><li>Contact the Nursing Home: They will have details of any outstanding debts owing or that may not have been covered by the Fair Deal if the deceased was in the scheme.</li><li>Contact the HSE: If you are unsure about the Fair Deal loan or the outstanding fees, contact the Health Service Executive (HSE) for clarity.</li><li>Contact <a href="https://www.mabs.ie/">MABS</a>: For further information, MABS – The Money Advice and Budgeting Service.</li><li>Fair Deal: <a href="https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/fair-deal-scheme/about/">About the Fair Deal scheme.</a></li></ul><p> </p>

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What Happens to Nursing Home Debts After a Person Passes Away

<p><strong>Every step has meaning. Every walk tells a story.</strong></p><p>The idea for the<a href="https://ripremembers.rip.ie/"> RIP.ie Remembers Walk</a> began with a simple question: <i>How can we celebrate this 20-year milestone in a way that truly reflects what RIP.ie stands for?</i> For two decades, RIP.ie has been more than a website; it has been a place where Ireland comes together to pay respects, share condolences, and honour loved ones. In times of grief, it has offered comfort and connection, helping families and communities feel less alone.</p><p>As we looked ahead to this anniversary, we wanted to build on that sense of community and bring the online platform into the real world. The answer came in the form of something simple yet deeply meaningful: walking.</p><figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQvLMkz0B1E&amp;t=10s"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yQvLMkz0B1E?start=10" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure><h3>Why Walking?</h3><p>Walking has long been associated with reflection and healing. There’s something profoundly calming about moving through nature, green fields, quiet paths, the sound of water or birdsong. For many, these walks become moments of connection with those who have passed away: a time to think about them, to remember their stories, and even to speak to them in our hearts.</p><p>This sense of peace and renewal inspired the RIP.ie Remembers Walk. It’s not about speed or competition. It’s about creating space to honour someone special and to carry their memory forward.</p><h3>A Walk With Purpose</h3><p>The<a href="https://ripremembers.rip.ie/"> RIP.ie Remembers Walk</a> invites everyone to take 20 kilometers during March—at your own pace, in your own way.</p><ul><li>Dedicate your walk to someone you’ve lost. Make it a personal tribute.</li><li>Fundraise for a charity close to your heart. Turn remembrance into action.</li><li>Help new life take root. For every fundraising registrant, RIP.ie will plant native woodland in Carlow, creating a lasting legacy of hope.</li></ul><h3>Together, Across Ireland and Beyond</h3><p>Whether you walk alone, with family, or as part of a group, you’ll be joining thousands of others who share the same purpose: to remember, to connect, and to give back.</p><p>This March, let’s walk for those who shaped our lives. Let’s walk for those we’ll never forget.</p><p><a href="https://ripremembers.rip.ie/">Register today at RIP.ie</a> and be part of a nationwide movement of remembrance, hope, and community.</p><p><strong>Sign Up Here: </strong><a href="https://ripremembers.rip.ie/"><strong>https://ripremembers.rip.ie/</strong></a></p>

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Why We Walk: The Story Behind RIP.ie Remembers

<p>Sharing a memory, photo, or tribute can be a meaningful way to honour someone you’ve loved and to connect with others who understand the importance of remembrance. As part of the <a href="https://ripremembers.rip.ie/campaign/rip-ie-remembers">RIP.ie Remembers Walk</a>, we invite participants and supporters to share their stories using #RIPRemembers, creating a collective space of reflection and community.</p><h3>What You Might Like to Share</h3><p>You can post whatever feels right for you, including:</p><ul><li>A photo of your loved one or a place that reminds you of them</li><li>A few words about who they were and what they meant to you</li><li>A picture or short video from your walk</li><li>A symbol of remembrance, such as flowers, candles, handwritten notes, or meaningful objects</li></ul><p>Some people might choose to share a single sentence; others write more. Both are equally meaningful.</p><h3>How to Upload Your Tribute</h3><h4><a href="https://ripremembers.rip.ie/campaign/rip-ie-remembers/register.html">On Your Fundraising Page</a></h4><ul><li>Write a few sentences about who they were and what made them special.</li><li>Share why they mattered to you and why you're walking in their memory.</li><li>Keep it simple, 2-3 heartfelt sentences are more than enough.</li><li>Share your page with family and friends so they can read your story and offer their support.</li></ul><h4>On Social Media </h4><ul><li>Post your photo, video, or message on Facebook or Instagram.</li><li>Include the hashtag #RIPRemembers so your tribute can be part of the wider remembrance community.</li><li>If you wish, tag RIP.ie to help us reshare and amplify your message.</li></ul><h3>Why Your Story Matters</h3><p>By sharing your story, you:</p><ul><li>Help create a space of compassion and understanding</li><li>Let others know they’re not alone in their grief</li><li>Honour the life and memory of someone special</li><li>Help raise awareness and support for charities that care for people when they need it most.</li></ul><p>Together, these shared moments form a powerful collective remembrance of love, life, and legacy.</p><h3><a href="https://ripremembers.rip.ie/campaign/rip-ie-remembers">Join the #RIPRemembers Community</a></h3><p>Whether you share a photo, a sentence, or simply follow along, you are part of something meaningful. Each story adds to a wider expression of remembrance and hope. </p><p>When you're ready, share your tribute using #RIPRemembers and walk with us in memory.</p>

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