Information on making your will

If you haven't made a Will or if you haven't thought about your Will recently, it is quite possible on your death that your estate may not be disposed of in accordance with wishes or intentions. To die intestate, that is without a Will, or to die leaving a Will which does not reflect your wishes, can create a great deal of unnecessary trauma for those who are left behind and regrettably can create unnecessary friction and tension in the best of families.

Please find attached instruction sheets for single Wills and husband and wife Wills accompanied with explanatory notes in relation to the same. You are also able to nominate a Power of Attorney should you so wish. We suggest that this is a worthwhile consideration.

CODICILS

1. What is a codicil?

A codicil is a document supplementary to a Will made earlier which is executed by a testator with the intention of adding to, altering, revoking, explaining or confirming a will, provision or part of a Will.

A codicil must be executed with the same formalities as a Will and when so executed becomes part of the Will and must be proved with the Will.

A codicil confirming a will may have the effect of republishing the will or of reviving an earlier revoked will.

Amendments made by a codicil may add or revoke a few small provisions (e.g., changing executors), or may completely change the majority or all of the gifts under the will. Each codicil must conform to the same legal requirements as the original will, such as the signatures of the testator and two disinterested witnesses.

We strongly recommend that if you do not have a Will or you have not reviewed your Will for some time, that you consider this matter now and put your house in order.