Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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99. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if legislative changes are proposed in respect of inheritance legislation with particular reference to minimising the opportunities for misrepresentation to the detriment of family members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5903/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Part VII of the Succession Act 1965 sets out the legal requirements for the making of a valid will. These are as follows:

- it must be in writing;

- the testator must be over 18 years of age (the testator may be under 18 if he or she is or has been married);

- the testator must be of sound mind;

- the testator must sign or mark the will in the presence of two witnesses;

- the two witnesses must sign the will in the testator's presence;

- the witnesses cannot be beneficiaries of the will;

- the witnesses must see the testator sign the will;

- the signature of the testator must be at the end of the will.

These statutory provisions, as interpreted by the courts in relevant case law, provide robust safeguards in relation to the validity of wills.

I should add that it is, of course, possible for a person to challenge a will on the grounds of either the diminished capacity of a testator to make a valid will, or the testator's ability freely to make decisions in disposing of their property by will.

When determining whether or not a testator had the capacity to make a will, courts will generally consider whether he or she understood the nature of the act of making a will and its effect, and whether the testator understood the extent of the property of which he or she was disposing.

Where undue influence is alleged, succession law places the onus of proving such undue influence on the person alleging it. In order to succeed, the court must be satisfied that:

(a) the person alleged to exert the influence had the power or opportunity to do so;

(b) undue influence was in fact exerted; and

(c) the will was the product of influence.

While I have no current plans to amend legislation in this area, the operation of the law in this area is kept under review in my Department.