It’s Wills Month and Capital Legacy and Good Things Guy are urging South Africans to recognise the significance of well-drafted Wills for legacy preservation and family care.
Johannesburg, South Africa (25 August 2023) – In life, we often find ourselves preoccupied with the hustle and bustle of the present moment. We focus on building careers, nurturing relationships, and chasing dreams. But amidst the chaos, there’s one aspect that we often neglect to consider – planning for the inevitable.
That’s right, I’m talking about Wills, and let me tell you, they’re far more crucial than you might realise.
Let me share with you my heart-wrenching story, one that made me intimately understand the importance of having a well-drafted will in place. When my father passed away, what should have been a time for mourning turned into a battle with bureaucracy that no one should ever have to endure.
I discovered a will in my father’s safe, a document printed on the letterhead of a certain bank, which led us to believe it was my father’s latest Will. Filled with grief and confusion, I visited the bank, only to be ushered into a dimly lit conference room that felt as cold as the news I had just received. Hours turned into an eternity as I answered an endless stream of questions about my father’s assets, debts, and insurance policies. The bank representative, rather than offering empathy, exuded an icy demeanour.
As the questions piled up and the hours stretched on, the trauma of the situation became almost unbearable. Finally, the bank representative tallied up the assets and casually mentioned that the bank would take a percentage to handle the estate. The insensitivity of the situation only deepened the pain.
However, just two days later, a glimmer of hope emerged. A friend of the family informed me that he had been chosen as the executor of my father’s latest Will, which was securely held by a lawyer.
Astonishingly, the bank’s Will was outdated and inconsequential.
Armed with this newfound knowledge, I called the bank representative to share the truth. The response I received was nothing short of shocking – the bank representative offered a discounted rate if I still allowed them to execute the outdated Will. Understandably, emotions ran high, and words were exchanged that will never be forgotten.
In light of my harrowing experience, September takes on a new significance in South Africa – it’s not only the month of spring blossoms but also a time for reflection and action.
Traditionally, September is Wills Week, but this year, we’ve teamed up with Capital Legacy to kick off an entire Wills Month. Together, we’re striving to remind South Africans of the critical importance of having a valid will and how the process can be made effortlessly smooth with the right approach.
Capital Legacy, our partner in this mission, is a respected organisation that specialises in estate planning and legacy preservation. With their expertise, they ensure that your final wishes are respected and your loved ones are taken care of in the most seamless way possible. Their dedication to guiding you through the intricate process of creating a will ensures that your legacy remains intact and your loved ones are spared the undue stress of navigating legal complexities during an emotionally trying time.
Alex Simeonides, CEO of Capital Legacy: “I cannot stress the importance of wills enough. Wills Month is our way of further driving this message home to all South Africans. My team and I look forward to helping you get your affairs in order this September, as we do every month. Through our collaboration with Good Things Guy we want to make a real difference and help you to leave the legacy you intend to.”
However, our message doesn’t stop at creating a will – it extends to maintaining it as well.
Just as you service your car or prioritise annual health checks, updating your Will is equally vital. Life is an ever-evolving journey, and circumstances can change in the blink of an eye. A will that was once comprehensive may no longer accurately reflect your wishes or assets, potentially leaving your loved ones in turmoil.
We understand that discussing wills might feel uncomfortable. The thought of our own mortality can be daunting, and yet, by shifting our focus to the legacy we want to leave behind, the conversation becomes one of profound importance.
Wills are not just legal documents; they’re a testament to our lives, ensuring that our wishes are honoured and our loved ones are protected long after we’re gone.
So, as September dawns upon us, let’s take the time to reflect, act, and converse. Let’s create and update our wills with the help of trusted professionals like Capital Legacy. Let’s ensure that our legacy is one of love, care, and compassion for the ones we hold dear.
After all, planning for the future is the ultimate act of love and consideration, showing that even in our absence, we are still there, looking out for our loved ones.