TESTATE SUCCESSION/WILLS.

There is a thin line between life and death. It is always important that one's wishes after death are deduced into a Will.

A Will is just a formal expression of a person's wishes or intentions after his or her death. It is another document of transfer of property through which a persons can be able to dispose of their property after their death.

Wills would generally be focussed on property, children, customary heirs widows and widowers.

How best can persons safeguard their wishes after death in a Will

A person who writes a Will can keep it safely with a trusted friend, family member, relative, lawyer, member of the clergy; or by depositing it for safe custody in a bank or in the High Court.

It is prudent to have more than one copy of the Will and keep it with different trusted people.

It is also not wise for a person who writes a will to disclose information about it or its whereabouts to other people.

Utmost care must be taken while making a valid will to ensure that it is written clearly and witnessed by at least two witnesses.

It should provide clear descriptions of what property and clearly spell out the names of the beneficiaries and their respective age.

It is now a legal requirement that when disposing of a matrimonial property in the will, one should obtain consent of their spouse otherwise court is likely to set aside such a testimentary disposition without consent.
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Today Wills can also be made through video and audio recording in addition to a written Will.

Always seek the assistance of an advocate before making a Will.