{"id":142489,"date":"2022-01-11T10:21:33","date_gmt":"2022-01-11T10:21:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.regenesys.net\/reginsights\/?p=142489"},"modified":"2022-01-13T13:35:51","modified_gmt":"2022-01-13T13:35:51","slug":"dos-and-donts-for-a-valid-will","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.regenesys.net\/reginsights\/dos-and-donts-for-a-valid-will","title":{"rendered":"Do\u2019s and Don\u2019ts for a Valid Will"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

The do\u2019s and don\u2019ts around drawing up a will may seem old-fashioned and outdated, but they are ultimately there to ensure that your last wishes are respected without someone trying to take advantage of your passing. Before diving into the do\u2019s and don\u2019ts of drawing up a will, let us first understand some important terminology.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

\"Do\u2019s<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Testator:<\/strong> This is the person whose will is being referred to. They are the person who signs the will and whose assets are being dealt with in the will.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Bequeath:<\/strong> The act of leaving something to someone in your will.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Beneficiaries:<\/strong> The person\/s to whom assets have been bequeathed in a will. They do not have a legal right to anything that the testator wishes to bequeath to them until the executor has approved the distribution. An executor is responsible to first settle any debt owed in the estate, and it may mean that they have to distribute assets that were bequeathed to the beneficiaries in the will to creditors or sell some of the assets of the testator to pay creditors.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Heir:<\/strong> An heir is someone who holds a legal right to benefit either in terms of a will or according to the laws of intestate succession.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Intestate:<\/strong> This is the term used to refer to the situation where someone dies without a valid will and thus their estate will be distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Do\u2019s\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n