Drawing up a will is vitally important
Legal Aid SA's KZN Communication Practitioner, Bongani Mahlangu, said everyone should have a will in place to ensure that the distribution of their assets at death is done according to their wishes
ATTORNEYS encourage the public to take advantage of National Wills Week and get a basic will drafted for free.
Private attorneys, Legal Aid South Africa attorneys, and those affiliated to the Law Society of South Africa are among many in the legal fraternity participating in the annual campaign which runs from Monday to Friday next week.
Legal Aid SA’s KZN Communication Practitioner, Bongani Mahlangu, said everyone should have a will in place to ensure that the distribution of their assets at death is done according to their wishes.
‘It is important to have a legal expert assist in drafting your will as their knowledge and expertise will ensure that the will is valid, meets all legal requirements and that your assets are efficiently administered,’ Mahlangu said.
‘If you are a parent, a breadwinner, a homeowner and generally want to ensure that your affairs are in order, it is important that you have a valid will drafted by a professional.
‘A valid will allows you to state who should inherit your assets and property, to appoint an executor of your choice for your estate and also a guardian for your minor children.
‘If you were married, divorced or widowed recently, or you have started cohabitating with a partner or have bought new property, you must have a will. Similarly, unmarried persons, particularly those who may have a number of people and extended family members who depend on them financially, should ensure they have a will in place, as several people could make a claim on their estates,’ said Law Society of South Africa Co-Chairpersons Mvuzo Notyesi and Ettienne Barnard.
They said this will protect the interests of your loved ones and ensure that there is no delay in settling your estate after your death.
‘It also ensures that your executor will act according to your wishes as set out in your will,’ they said.
When visiting a participating attorney during National Wills Week, make sure you have your ID documents and a list of what you own and who you wish to leave your assets to.
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