Add updating your legal affairs to your new year's resolutions
Alongside other resolutions it would be prudent to also ensure that your legal affairs are up to date
Now that people are returning from holiday full of optimism and plans for the new year, it's time to start thinking about getting your legal affairs in order. You should make sure to check up on the following issues: Have you signed your will, and is it up to date? Statistics show that around 50% of adults don't have a signed will. Dying without a valid will means you lose all control of the winding up process, as the Intestate Succession Act will regulate who gets what. In addition, you don't get to appoint your executor, a guardian for your minor children [if the other parent is not alive], or set up a trust to protect money accruing to minor beneficiaries. Ensure you start off the year by getting a will drawn up and signing it. If you are one of the few who has actually arranged for your will to be signed, please ensure it is up to date. I have seen too many wills where children have been left out because they were born after the will was drawn up, although the testator had many ...
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