Draft your will free of charge this week

National Wills Week runs until Friday, 16 September

LOCAL attorneys are giving members of the public an opportunity to protect their assets by helping them draft their Last Will and Testaments free of charge this week.

This is part of National Wills Week, which runs until Friday, 16 September.

Rohrs Duvenage Attorneys in Empangeni, Connie Marais Attorneys and Reena Rajgopaul Attorneys Inc in Richards Bay, Kirkwood Inc in Mtunzini, and Legal Aid SA are all participating in this year's initiative.

"By making a will, you ensure your assets are disposed of in accordance with your wishes after your death. This privilege is called freedom of testation", said the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA).

"If you die without leaving a valid will, your assets will be distributed according to the provisions of the Intestate Succession Act.

"The provisions of this

Act are generally fair and ensure your possessions are transferred to your spouse and children, and, where applicable, to siblings, parents, and, if required, to the extended family in terms of degrees of relationships and those who were dependant on you for financial support."

LSSA, however, warns this route may not always be favourable as 'your assets may not be left to the person of your choice, it can take a long time to have an executor appointed, and the executor who is appointed may be somebody you may not have chosen yourself'.

"There can also be unhappiness and conflict among members of your family because there are no clear instructions on how to distribute your assets," the law society said.