A will is a person’s declaration of his intention of how his property is to be dealt with. The maker of the will is called a testator or testatrix where the maker is female. A will has no effect until the death of the maker. As such, it is ambulatory because it speaks from the grave upon death.
It can be revoked at any time a maker desires not withstanding anything stated to the contrary by the maker. He can alter, amend or even destroy it.
There are many advantages of making a will.
- Top of our list is the fact that the testator has a satisfaction of having ordered his affairs before his death. This forestalls any partitioning issues that may have arisen upon his death and prevents squabbles among his family members.
- Secondly, the testator has the satisfaction of benefiting those he loved or owed a duty of care.
- The testator also has the benefit of appointing people he trusts as his will executors. These people ensure that his will is respected and enforced. Where the testator has infant children, he is able to appoint of for them a guardian to cater for them upon his death.
- A will gives the testator the opportunity to give his funeral directives. These include where he decides to be buried, how he wants to be buried, the church or association to conduct his funeral Service and many other incidentals.
- Lastly, it gives the testator the opportunity of making specialty gifts for whatever purpose
It is advised that you engage the services of a property lawyer to prepare your will and deposit same at the Probate Registry in your locality.
