MONDAY, September 16, to Friday, September 20, is National Wills Week, and people are advised to utilise this opportunity as a number of legal practitioners in both the public and private sectors volunteer their time to assist in drawing up wills at no cost to members of the public.
A will is a legal document that ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes after you pass, making sure that your loved ones are protected from any complications during an already challenging time.
National Wills Week is an annual initiative of the Law Society of South Africa.
Legal Aid SA’s provincial executive, Lungile Magoso, said that having a will is not a bad omen.
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“If you already have a will, take the opportunity to review and finalise your will. Proactively, you will be giving a valuable gift to your loved ones – clarity and peace of mind during a difficult time.
“Creating a will does not have to be complicated. To ensure that all parties, including the executor, are clear and to prevent disputes, it is best to keep your will simple and straightforward. Use clear language to avoid mistakes and to simplify the process for your appointed executor,” she said.
During Wills Week, citizens are advised to take along their ID documents, a list of their assets owned and the names and ID numbers of their beneficiaries.
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“Choosing the right executor is also critical as she/he will be responsible for implementing your wishes. Select someone trustworthy, organised and capable. It is also wise to use descriptive details of the beneficiaries and assets involved as well as full names and identification numbers for accurate identification. This will help prevent any misinterpretation or mistakes in the distribution process.”
Legal Aid SA Vryheid Local Office will be assisting community members from Pinetown and the surrounding areas with the drafting of wills. The office is located at 1 Church Road, Pinetown, and can be contacted at 031 719 2700.
The public can also utilise the Durban office located at 22 Dorothy Nyembe Street, Marine Building Ground Floor – contact 031 304 0100.
For more information on participating legal practitioners, visit LSSA National Wills Week – LSSA.
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