Legal Aid SA encourages locals to draft wills at no cost this week
One of the greatest risks of not having a legitimate will in place is the often nasty family in-fighting over the inheritance of assets, particularly family homes.
It is National Wills Week which started yesterday and will end on September 20. Locals are encouraged to go and draft wills at no cost. Legal Aid South Africa has partnered with the Law Society of South Africa and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and will be drafting basic wills for free throughout the week, as well as providing legal advice on wills, at no cost.
One of the greatest risks of not having a legitimate will in place is the often nasty family in-fighting over the inheritance of assets, particularly family homes. Legal Aid SA urges all South African citizens and non-citizens to utilise their over 150 participating attorneys during this week to draft wills at no cost and ensure that their assets are distributed according to their wishes.
Legal Aid SA Legal Practitioners will be setting up information stalls and service desks at various courts, Master’s Offices and other community venues in all provinces to assist with the drafting and completing of basic wills this week. Furthermore, legal practitioners will also address community members on the administration of deceased estates and why it is important to have a will.
According to DoJ&CD statistics, the 2018 National Wills Week campaign saw free wills drafted and estate advice given to 4,555 people across the country. This was supported by a strong social media awareness campaign which reached 340,754 users nationwide with important information to consider when thinking of estate planning.
