Your Loved Ones Will Thank You for the Will You Write Today

Life moves quickly, circumstances change without warning, and families are often left struggling to understand what their loved one truly wanted. Also keep in mind that Empires & Families are Always Destroyed from Within. The absence of a properly drafted Will is one of the most common reasons estates fall into disputes, delays, and unnecessary legal complications.

Creating a Will is one of the simplest and most powerful steps you can take to protect the people you care about, and waiting only increases the chances that matters will be decided by the law rather than by you.

Even if one does not anticipate any dispute, a Will puts in black and white ones wishes and creates a record of one’s assets and bequests which can be shown to third-parties (Societies, government authorities, etc.)

Good Practices that ought to be followed when making a Will:

1.      Select Younger and Reliable Witnesses and Executor (s)

Your Executor must be alive and capable when the time comes to act, and witnesses may be asked years later to confirm the signing of your Will, such as at the time of applying for Probate. Choosing younger, reliable individuals increases the likelihood that they will be available when needed. Although adulthood is the only legal requirement, practicality should guide your selection.

2.      Plan for the Possibility That a Beneficiary May Pass Before You

If your primary beneficiary dies before you, and your Will does not account for this, your estate may be distributed in ways you did not intend. Adding a simple line naming an alternate beneficiary ensures continuity and prevents accidental disputes among surviving relatives.

3.      Always Add a Residuary Clause

It is very common to forget an asset or acquire new property after drafting your Will. Without a residuary clause, these leftover or newly acquired items can fall into legal uncertainty and cause avoidable disputes. A residuary clause simply states that any property not specifically listed should go to a chosen person. This one sentence can prevent confusion, protect your beneficiaries, and ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.

4.      Consider Getting a Doctor’s Certificate or Have a Doctor as One of Your Witnesses

One of the most frequent challenges raised against Wills is the claim that the person who made it lacked mental capacity. Having a doctor giver a certificate as to your soundness of mind or having a doctor sign as one of your witnesses, especially someone familiar with mental health assessments, can help establish that you were fully aware and capable at the time of signing. This makes the Will far more resistant to future objections.

5.      Sign or Initial Each Page

Initialing or signing each page is not mandatory but is highly advisable. It prevents anyone from tampering with the document or inserting new pages. This step is especially useful for typed Wills, where multiple pages can otherwise be rearranged without detection.

6.      Avoid Codicils and Choose a Fresh Will Instead

Codicils are amendments to an existing Will, but they introduce risk. If the codicil is lost or separated, the original Will applies, potentially undoing important changes. When you need updates, it is far safer to draft a new Will entirely and discard the previous version. A clean, updated document avoids confusion and protects your intentions.

7.      Get Professional Guidance on Storing the Will

A Will that cannot be found is as good as no Will at all. Whether you prefer privacy or accessibility, the best storage method depends on your personal circumstances. A lawyer can help you choose the safest and most practical option so your Will is both protected and discoverable when needed.

Note: The above is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a legal opinion.