Charitable Bequest Form
This is the official Charitable Bequest Form issued by the Courts Service of Ireland. You use it when making a gift or bequest to a charity through your will or estate planning.
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Charitable Bequest Form
This is the official Charitable Bequest Form issued by the Courts Service of Ireland. You use it when making a gift or bequest to a charity through your will or estate planning.
Risk Radar
- Always ensure the charity's official registered name is typed exactly as it appears on their CRO registration.
- Misspelling the charity's legal name
- Not detailing the exact nature of the bequest (e.g., 'a sum of money' vs. 'my collection')
- Failing to sign/date the form correctly
- Submitting it too late after death
Plain English
Think of this as the paperwork that tells the Irish courts exactly what you are leaving to a good cause. It confirms your charitable intentions so everything is handled correctly after you pass away.
Submission Date
- There is no fixed annual deadline; submission must happen when the charitable gift becomes effective, usually upon death or execution of the Will.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
What this form is for
- • You are writing a Will and want to leave money or assets to a charity.
- • You need official documentation confirming your intention to make a bequest.
- • The gift is part of your estate planning, not just a simple donation today.
- • You might be required by the solicitor handling your will to use this specific form.
Use this form or another form?
| Situation | Likely form | Why it matters | Check before you continue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donating cash/goods *now* (not in a Will) | Donation Receipt Form (Courts) | If you are donating immediately, check if a simpler receipt suffices. | Check the required attachment list. |
| Leaving property to a charity via a Trust Deed | Charitable Bequest Form (or related document) | The bequest form confirms the intent within the trust structure. | Ensure the deed references this specific form/intent. |
| Making a gift under intestacy rules (no Will) | Not confirmed in official source | If there is no formal will, you might need an affidavit confirming the charitable intention. | Confirm with your solicitor if a supplementary declaration is needed. |
Deadline or filing window
There is no fixed annual deadline; submission must happen when the charitable gift becomes effective, usually upon death or execution of the Will.
Before you submit
- • Ensure your full name and address match official records.
- • Clearly state the exact name of the charity receiving the bequest.
- • Specify what is being bequeathed (e.g., '£10,000' or 'my entire collection of books').
- • Confirm if the gift is a specific item or a percentage/share of the estate.
- • Sign and date the form where indicated.
- • If required by your solicitor, have it witnessed according to Irish requirements.
How to file this form
- 1Complete all sections thoroughly using black ink.
- 2Attach any supporting documents (e.g., evidence of assets being gifted).
- 3Sign and date the form in the designated area.
- 4Have the required number of witnesses sign the document.
- 5Submit the signed package to your solicitor or estate planner.
Known limitations
- • This form does not guarantee a specific outcome; it confirms intent only.
- • It is not automatically filed with the Companies Registration Office (CRO) portal, though it supports CRO filings.
- • The form itself may require supplementary declarations depending on the complexity of your estate.
- • Not confirmed in official source: There is no stated monetary limit for how much can be bequeathed using this form.
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This is the standard Charitable Bequest Form from the Courts Service of Ireland. It remains the primary document for declaring charitable gifts within a will.
Agency: Courts Service of Ireland
What changed or needs a fresh check
- • Check for updated logo placement or Courts Service branding.
- • Verify the current form number (Charitable Bequest Form).
- • Look at the date printed on the form to ensure it's recent.
- • Confirm if there are new boxes added for specific types of charitable giving (e.g., environmental vs. medical).
- • Check the required fields list against any accompanying guidance notes.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Agency
- Courts Service of Ireland
- Category
- Other Court Forms
- Source
- Court Forms ↗
- Revision Date
- 05/09/25
Downloads
Charitable Bequest Form
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After you file
- • Keep a certified copy of the filed Charitable Bequest Form.
- • Ensure your solicitor logs receipt and confirms their review.
- • Verify that the bequest details are correctly transcribed into the main Will document.
- • If applicable, track when the formal probate application is submitted to the Courts Service.
Source and verification log
- • Issued by: Courts Service of Ireland (COURTS)
- • Form Name: Charitable Bequest Form
- • Purpose: Declaring charitable gifts via estate planning.
- • Not confirmed in official source: Specific revision date stamp on the form.
Common confusion points
4 things to watch for
- 1
Confusing 'Bequest' (a gift via a will) with a simple 'Donation' (a gift now).
- 2
Not realizing that the charity must be legally registered in Ireland for this form to apply smoothly.
- 3
Forgetting to specify if the bequest is 'absolute' or 'conditional'.
- 4
Submitting it without witness signatures when required by your solicitor.
Related Guides & Resources
Irish Form Affidavit of Attesting Witness (for minors aged 13 and under) - Affidavit of Attesting Witness (for minors aged 13 and under)
Irish COURTS form Affidavit of Attesting Witness (for minors aged 13 and under): Form for Affidavit of Attesting Witness (for minors aged 13 and under).
View →Irish Form Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond (De Bonis Non for Single Applicant) - Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond (De Bonis Non for Single Applicant)
Irish COURTS form Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond (De Bonis Non for Single Applicant): This is an oath sworn by a single administrator appointed to continue administering an estate when a previous executor or administrator has died or ceased to act (de bonis non), including a bond to guarantee proper administration..
View →Irish Form Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond for Single Applicant - Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond for Single Applicant
Irish COURTS form Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond for Single Applicant: This is an oath sworn by a single administrator appointed under a will (where no executor is acting), including a bond to guarantee proper administration of the estate..
View →Irish Form Probate Office Order Form - Probate Office Order Form
Irish COURTS form Probate Office Order Form: This is a form used to request certified copies of probate documents from the Probate Office.
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