THERE BETTER BE A WILL

1. LIONS CLUB OF KALYAN
THERE BETTER BE A WILL
Make a will ..... now. Don't be under impression that nothing is going to happen you, your
kids/partner will get everything that belongs to you. Don't make them run to lawyer and
court with burden of sorrow.
Ohh, we don't talk about death..... Nothing will happens to me....... My kids will get all my
property after my property after my death, no issue....... If you are thinking on the same
line, you are probably on the wrong path.
Remember that friends/relative who died suddenly, at a very young age? Who left a young
husband/wife, a small kid, ageing parents behind? And nobody had a clue about his
property, fixed deposits, nominations, ECS arrangements and most importantly the various
passwords. Why did nobody have a clue about the property? Because she/he didn't make a
will. Maybe because there were no nominations on some accounts/FDs. Why? Sheer
laziness or the Indian sentimental attitude of not talking about death?
I am not a lawyer but I have seen enough family feuds about owning property. So, I spoke to
a couple of lawyers who deal with such property matters frequently on what could be the
basic arrangements that a common man has to make. Though making a will was the
unanimous answer to most queries, there are a few other points to note too.
What is a will?
A will is a document expressing your wish about how to dispose of your
property/money/jewellery etc. after your death.
What is a good time to make a will?
Right now.
How to make it?
Write your wish on a piece of paper, any piece of paper, Sign below. Get two people to sign
it.
That's it?
Yes, That's it.
No need to make an affidavit?
No.
No need to go to a lawyer?
No.

2. So, grab a paper( A lawyer friend tells me that in Indian courts, a will written on the back of
a bus ticket has been held valid. But don't wait for such an emergency). Write down who
should get your house, land, jewellery, etc. Write down who should get access to your bank
accounts, FDs, etc. And sign it.
Ask for two people to sign it. No need to show them the contents. So perish the thoughts of
how can you show your will to strangers. Their signature means that they saw you signing
the said document.
You might wonder if a will is necessary if you have assigned nominees. Yes, it is necessary.
Because if a nomination is contested, the will wins hands down. A nomination is just a
trustee, S/he can't automatically own the property. However, do assign a nominee
everywhere possible. To your bank account, the bank may ask for a succession certificate.
Getting that from the court is a tedious process.
What else can you do?
Sit down with your spouse. And Children, if they are at an age when they can understand
financial matters. Tell them about all your accounts, FDs, mutual fund investments, gold,
any property you own. Also tell them about any loans you have taken. Remember, they are
the ones who have to repay the loan in case you leave this world.
Make a list of all your passwords. Passwords to your email accounts, net banking, passwords
of your online billing procedures like for MTNL, BSNL, mobile, etc. Write down the ECS
transaction details. Imagine if they don't know your passwords, it will be chaos.
A will becomes all the more necessary in the present days of redevelopment of old
buildings. In Mumbai and other cities, many old structures are being redeveloped and
having clear ownership of the house is always a big relief.
Can you change your will?
Every day, if you wish. You can change the will any time, there is no cap on how many times.
Just make sure to sign it. And get witnesses sign it. And tell your spouse/ children/ parents
where you have kept it.
If it is easy, why don't most people make a will?
Laziness. Or the thought that "NOTHING is going to happen to me". Or the sentimental
taboo related to anything about death.
So, go make a will. Share your important details with your loved ones to spare them the
trauma in case of something happens to you.
Here's to your long and healthy life.