Will Writing: Common myths
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Myth Number 1
Wills do not usually start with the words "being of sound mind and body." In order to write a Will, you have to possess "Testamentary Capacity." That is, the ability to think clearly and coherently. If there is any doubt surrounding the Testamentary Capacity of the Testator dictating the terms of the Will, it is Will Time's standard practice to draw up a Larke v. Nugus report on the circumstances surrounding the Execution of the Will. As Paul White is almost always in attendance at the signing, soundness of mind can be vouched for.
As for "of sound body", please disregard this, as terminally ill people can still write Wills. They do have to have Testamentary Capacity, though.
Myth Number 2
You may have seen in films that a rich person uses a video to explain to his family what he wants to happen to his Estate. Whilst there is nothing to stop somebody from making a video, that would not actually be his Will. In order to satisy the Law, a Will has to be in writing, signed and witnessed. You can rest assured that ours are all three!
Myth Number 3
You don't have to wait until you are married to prepare your Wills. They can be drafted in "contemplation of marriage", so that they are not automatically revoked when you actually tie the knot. As the Honeymoon probably involves travelling to distant parts, you do have to think about your personal safety there, just in case the foreign idyll turns out to be a War Zone when you get there, as happened recently in Mumbai.
Myth Number 4
You do not need to draw up a long and detailed list of all your worldly possessions. In most cases, you would decide to give a dining room table, for example, to someone who had always admired it. This would be a specific bequest. Everything else in your Estate would fall into the "Residue" and you just need to state who you would like to inherit that.