Signing is the point at which a carefully prepared will can either be completed properly or left with a serious problem. In the Republic of Ireland, the ordinary statutory requirements include a written will and a signature made or acknowledged before two witnesses who are present at the same time. Each witness must then sign in the will-maker's presence.
The simplest practical approach is to arrange one uninterrupted meeting, with all three people physically together and able to see what is happening. Do not rely on a video call or an electronic signature to replace the normal paper process.
Before anyone signs
Read the entire document first. Check the names, gifts, executors and any arrangements for children. Resolve uncertainties before the signing meeting. Have the complete final document ready, with no missing pages or unfinished choices.
Choose independent witnesses who are not beneficiaries and are not married to, or civil partners of, beneficiaries. A gift to a witness, or to that witness's spouse or civil partner, can be lost even where the rest of the will remains effective.
At the meeting
Follow the document's signing instructions. Sign at the appropriate place while both witnesses are present together, or properly acknowledge an existing signature to both. The witnesses should then sign while you remain present. Keeping everyone together until the process is finished avoids unnecessary questions later.
Ask witnesses to provide the identifying details requested in the document. Clear names and addresses can help if their evidence is needed during probate. They do not have to read your private gifts simply to witness your signature.
After signing
Keep the original intact and store it securely. Tell your executor where it is held and how it can be obtained when needed. A scan is useful for reference, but it does not replace the importance of the original.
Do not cross out a name, add a gift or substitute a page later. Alterations have their own formal requirements. A newly executed will is often clearer than a collection of handwritten changes.
If you cannot sign normally, have difficulty seeing or reading the document, or there is any concern about understanding or pressure, obtain a solicitor's assistance before the meeting. The signing arrangements should fit your circumstances, rather than leave others trying to explain them afterwards.
Sources and further reading
General information, not advice on your individual circumstances. Laws and tax rules can change; check the linked official guidance and obtain professional advice where needed.