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WILLS AND ESTATES


WHAT IS A WILL?

A will is a document that states how a person's assets will be distributed upon his/her death.



Is it a Legal Document?

Technically, yes a will is a legal document but it only has a legal effect upon the death of the person making the will.

How many wills can a person make?

A person may make multiple wills and amend it because how a person wishes to distribute assets upon death may change while a person is alive. So a person can make changes according to change in wish to distribute assets.

Which Will is valid?

A Will document is of no legal effect until the person making the will, dies. It only becomes a legally enforceable document upon death of the person, thus the final will of the person is the valid will which will be executed.

Essential Terms in a Will

testator/testatrix- person making the will for distribution of assets upon his/her death. It is the deceased person.

executor/executrix- it is the person who is assigned/ appointed to run the estate of the deceased person and oversees that the assets are distributed as per the Will.

beneficiary- person who receives the assets as per the Will.

holographic will- a will made by a person in their handwriting.

witness(es)- person(s) who sign the will along with the testator/testatrix, this confirms that the testator/testatrix who made the will is the one signing it.

 

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