ARE YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER?

Update Your Will And Testament Today!

Dear Clients, 

We trust that you are keeping yourself and your family safe and Will be spared from infection with the Covid-19 virus which is threatening all of our lives and our current way of living. 

This lockdown time of isolation provides us all with an opportunity to reflect on the important things in life and to give attention to some important matters which we normally don’t have time to attend to. 

It is the right time to give careful consideration to the updating of one’s Last Will and Testament or to have one drafted should you not have done so already. 

Having a Will is arguably one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family. Not only does a legally enforceable Will legally protect your spouse, children and assets, it also spells out exactly how you would like matters handled after you have passed away. 

Each and every person’s situation differs and we would like to assist you in enabling you to have a valid and legally enforceable Last Will and Testament. 

Here are some of the advantages of having a Will: 

• Your Will allows you to determine how your assets will be divided on your demise and will avoid potential unnecessary acrimony between family members; 
• You can bequeath certain assets directly to certain persons or organizations; 
• You can nominate replacement beneficiaries (if a nominated beneficiary passes away before you or within a certain period after you); 
• You Will decide who will take care of your minor children, avoiding costly and emotional court applications for the appointment of a guardian(s); 
• You can put measures in place to enable the management of the financial affairs of your minor children/grandchildren until they reach an age at which you feel they will be able to manage their own affairs and you can prescribe the manner in which the bequeathed assets/funds should be maintained and/or utilized; 
• You will have the opportunity to substantially minimize estate taxes by making use of the tax exemptions provided for in the Act. 
• You will decide who will wind up your estate and will be able to choose a reliable, trustworthy and experienced executor to make sure that your estate will be wound up properly and all your wishes are executed expediently; 
• You can disinherit individuals who would otherwise stand to inherit if you had no Will (ex-spouses, etc.); 
• You can make gifts and donations to charitable organizations of your choice; 
• You can avoid other legal challenges, i.e.: if you die without a Will, part or all of your estate may pass to someone you did not intend; 
• You can change your mind and amend your Will when your circumstances in life change; 
• A custom drafted Last Will and Testament will ensure that the administration of your estate will not unnecessarily be held up and will limit disputes and conflicts relating to your last wishes and intentions; and 

As is clear from the above it is most definitely in the best interest of your loved ones that you ensure that you have a valid and legally enforceable Will at your demise. 

Our professional, experienced and qualified team is available to assist you in ensuring that your Last Will and wishes will be included in a legally enforceable document which will be the most important legal document you will ever sign. 

Please do not hesitate to contact and email our Fiduciary attorneys in the event that we can be of assistance in this regard. Our Wills are expertly drafted after completion by yourself of a Will application form which is emailed to you and there is no need for any attendances at our practice. 

Should you wish to have a free Will drafted at no cost to you, wherein you appoint one of our fiduciary attorneys as your executor, please do not hesitate to email Werner Greeff werner@visagievos.co.za or Linkie Goosen linkie@visagievos.co.za with your request and we will send the Last Will application form to you for completion. 

Sincerely. 

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your legal adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)