I know what you thinking, Bathong (word to express disbelief, surprise or dissatisfaction) Puleng! Let me explain. I come from a family where a conversation like this one is a taboo. Mention the word “Will” and your family members think you planning on killing them.

 We listen but we don’t judge!

Remember your neighbour’s son who squandered his parents’ money and is now a drug addict or the headlines surrounding Piet Pompies who killed his parents as he was the sole heir of their estate. Perhaps this could be a single-minded generation or a curse in our very own communities.How many times have we heard of a mother, or father who died and left their children in debt? or a parent not leaving a will and the same parent having Choice Assorted or Smarties (a term used to describe children who have a different mother or father) and family members fighting each other.

South Africans being too secretive won’t help you, instead it is a recipe for disaster. It’s one thing to grief for the loss of a loved one but to stress about the process of an estate whilst grieving is something else. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. As I attended a funeral of one of the members in our community a thought came to mind, “This man must have left a will”. Why? one would ask, it was obvious as none of his family members were fighting, in fact everyone was working together and not against each other.

I came to a conclusion on the importance of having a will and it would be an honour to share my thoughts with you:

1. It is good to have a say on how your property will be distributed when you no longer here.

    

2. You can insert a clause that specifically exclude community of profit and loss. That way your son/daughter in law will not benefit from your estate.

    

3. You can state in your will that a trust can be formed and that all your assets must form part of that trust.

    

4. If you are murdered by your heir. The same heir will be disqualified from inheriting.

    

5. You get to appoint the executor of your estate.

    

6. You allowed to update your will and it can be revoked if you sign a new will.

Remember: It is Your will. Your way.