Write your will, and more, for free
JOBURG – The Law Society offers free services such as drawing up a will.
By Garry Hertzberg, practising attorney and presenter of the Laws of Life on Cliffcentral.com
A few days ago I received a call from a man I know who wanted me to draft him a simple will.
So I asked him if he was in good health and if he could make it to September alive? A strange question to ask but not without reason.
I asked this because our Law Society runs a great programme from 12 to 16 September called National Wills Week. During this week participating attorneys in your area will draw up basic wills completely free of charge. These attorneys will explain the importance of having a proper will and provide a copy to the client. It is important to note that these lawyers cannot insist that they are appointed as executor of the wills. To find an attorney who is participating, go to www.lssa.org.za and look under ‘our initiatives’ or call 012 338 5800.
It is advisable to make the appointment as soon as possible.
Drafting a will is something that often gets put off because it’s a gentle reminder that our lives don’t go on forever. Wills are not registered anywhere, so remember to keep your will in a safe place that is known to your family, as well as a schedule stating where your family can find important documents such as insurance policies and so on.
This is just one initiative by the Law Society seeking to aid and assist the public. Another interesting scheme is the ‘First Interview Scheme’ which aims at making attorneys’ services more accessible to those who either can’t afford it or who would not make use of attorneys.
This first interview scheme allows a free half-hour discussion to discuss the merits of any matter, the attorney will advise as to whether there is a claim or a case in the particular situation. Only the first half hour is free, so if any further action is taken it would be at the normal rate charged by that attorney.
Attorneys participate in this scheme on a roster basis. To find the attorney who is next on the roster one can contact the Law Society of the Northern Provinces on (012) 338 5800 or Communications@lsnp.org.za
