A WILL: Just To Let You Know 

A WILL: Just To Let You Know 

By: Balami Lazarus

This piece of write-up is all about ‘ WiLL’. But I will briefly here in small measure say what I knew about Lawyers having interacted with some of them as friends and some through my students, lawyers are among the few professionals known to keep secrets of their clients in confidence and in documents. 

My interactions with them has opened my eyes on this subjects ( WILL ). They are equally expensive to hire , to protect , defend and or advice clients on business transactions or on matters of family interest. Only few lawyers are engaged in free legal services in an attempt to protect individuals , groups or communities, that is to say Pro – bono .

That is why most of them dislike amicable settlement through Alternative Dispute Resolutions ( ADR ) which is easier , faster and cheaper. Highly practice in Australia and other western nations. 

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Funny enough this class of professionals are always at the forefront of human rights advocacy but hardly you find them going to court on such matters. However, some do. Now looking at the subject-matter. Little is known by many people of WILL. 

My relationship with legal practitioners has given me an insight of what WILL(s) is or are. WILL is said to be a legal document made by an individual before his or her demise. Its contents are sensitive because it serves as a divider , stating clearly and expressly how an what to be done with the deceased estate ( Properties ) including chattels . Is also a legal documents that spelt out who gets what and when?

I recalled twenty years ago or thereabout I was present at the opening and reading of a friend’s father WILL that made my first time to be part of a WILL reading , it was an experience. Interestingly, WILL make things easier  regarding inheritance issues, for it defined the will and intention of the deceased as he / she wanted.Are you aware that most people are ignorant of this legal documents? One thing people have in their mind is the thought that WILL can not be challenged.  

A WILL can definitely be challenged and legally contested for, when and if one suspect a foul play of the WILL; meaning it has been influenced or its contents are known before hand in favour of any of the beneficiary. These are reasons for legal redress in a court of competent jurisdiction. 

To make a WILL, there are processes that needed to be done. A legal practitioner of your  choice needed to be engaged in writing a WILL to give it a legal perfection in the execution. An application letter informing the court of one’s intention to deposit the said document with the court – High Court of Justice in the office of a Probate Judge where the testator reside . 

A WILL must have witness (s) provided by the testator. At the demised of the testator concern , application for retrieval, opening and reading of the WILL in the presence of his family members who are supposedly the beneficiaries having examined the sealed legal document to be sure it has and was not tempered with. 

Witnesses to the WILL must be present at the time of opening and reading of the said document. Since WILL is one’s wishes on matters patterning his estate  it must be respected no matter what. Therefore, WILL can be prepared and written locally and yet be effective and binding. To sum it all, WILL is a legal document declaring a person wishes regarding the disposal of their property when they die.

*Balami , lisher / Columnist  08036779290

A WILL: Just To Let You Know