A will is a legal document that describes how you would like your property and other assets to be distributed after your death.
Not everyone makes a will. Africans rarely consider writing a will, especially people whose socioeconomic status falls between the average and low. But aside from socioeconomic status, there are many other reasons why people write a will. The common practice of asset distribution among the average African parents isn't written, it's done verbally. Parents often share their inheritance to their children even before their death.
One of the reasons why people write will is to have equal distribution of their numerous properties among their children without conflicts. Whatever is legally binding gives little or no room for dispute. This is often seen in a big family where the man probably married more than one wife or has children from a different woman and wishes that his assets are evenly distributed.
Another reason for writing a will is when a person wishes to entrust his assets to someone different, especially when he doesn't trust his loved ones with his properties. This can be a friend or a business partner whom he believes in. I have heard of parents who gave their properties out to a stranger because his children were wayward. Such children would claim the properties after death if a will is not written to revoke their right.
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Finally, a will can be written to show the proportion of property each individual is entitled to. Not every property is shared equally, sometimes a few people hold more than others. Only a will can clearly state this.
Personally, anyone can be biased while writing a will. We have a favorite person and we would want to favour who we love most. While will writing can be a good idea in times of dispute and doubt, it can also generate hatred especially if the share is biased.
The verbal distribution of assets before death still stands out. The property owner not only settles any dispute that may arise after his death but also monitors how the assets are managed.
One negative impact of writing a will is that the owner's lawyer becomes more knowledgeable of the family properties than the actual family. If the lawyer is unfaithful, he may take certain properties that the family aren't aware of. I don't discourage writing a will, but what's the need if peace already dwells in the home?
