Page 34 - Seniors Today - Oct 2019

Toolkit

How to make a Will

It is agreed that making a Will is important – but how do you go about it?
Sonavi Kher Desai has some answers

A Will is a testamentary document voluntarily executors who will carry out the instructions of
made by an adult of sound mind in his/her the testator stated in the Will.
lifetime, giving instructions about how his/her While a lawyer may be consulted to draft a Will,
property should be distributed and/or managed a simple, straightforward Will can be drafted by
after death. Here are some frequently asked the testator himself/herself.
questions relating to a Will.
Does a Will have to be written on stamp
Can any person write their own Will or do paper or any other special paper?
they need a lawyer? No. A Will can be written on any paper. It is
Anyone can write their own Will. However, you recommended that you use a good quality,
must ensure that you follow certain rules. A durable paper.
Will must clearly identify the person making it
(testator), adequately describe the property of
the person, and who the property is to be given
to, either by way of a complete transfer or partial
interest for life or use. A Will may also establish
a trust for the property with trustees and
beneficiaries named. It must be signed by the
testator in the presence of two adult witnesses
who witness the same by signing the Will and
stating that it is signed by the testator in their
presence, stating the date and place. Witnesses
need not read the Will. A Will may name the You can consult a lawyer, or also draft your Will yourself

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