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Wills For Free During National Wills Week
Wills For Free During National Wills Week
From 7 to 11 October 2013 attorneys participating in the National Wills Week will write basic wills for members of the public free of charge. More than 1 000 attorneys' firms throughout South Africa are participating in the National Wills Week project.
The aim of National Wills Week is to highlight the importance of having a valid will in place to ensure that the wishes of testators are taken into account when they die, and that their assets are disposed of according with their wishes.
Also, this initiative is to encourage members of the public who would not normally make use of the services of an attorney, or who may hesitate to approach an attorney for various reasons, to consult an attorney.
Why approach an attorney to draft your will?
An attorney has the necessary knowledge and expertise to ensure that your will is legally valid and complies with your wishes. An attorney can also advise you on any problem which may arise with regard to your will. Often a will is not valid because the person who drafts it does not have the necessary legal knowledge to ensure that the requirements of the law are met.
What could happen to your estate if you die without a valid will?
If you die without leaving a valid will, your assets will be distributed according to the provisions of the Intestate Succession Act. The provisions of this Act are generally fair and ensure that your possessions are transferred to your spouse and children.
But, the following problems may arise if you die without leaving a will:
- Your assets may not be left to the person of your choice.
- It can take a long time to have an executor appointed. The executor who is appointed may be somebody you may not have chosen yourself.
- There could be extra and unnecessary costs.
- There could be unhappiness and conflict among members of your family because there are no clear instructions on how to distribute your assets.
Attorneys participating in the National Wills Week project will display posters with their contact details so that members of the public can make appointments with participating attorneys in their area.