MAKING A WILL

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30231, 9 September 1963, Page 2

MAKING A WILL

"Absolute Clarity” Needed Because seven out of 10 married women outlived their husbands, that did not excuse them of the need to make a will, said Mr P. R. Vincent at a meeting of the Christchurch Federated Business and Professional Women’s Club. “It is only common sense to have one's affairs in order,” he said. A will should be absolutely clear to express the testator’s true intention: it should be kept up to date and made with a certain amount of elasticity to cover needs which may arise. Mr Vincent emphasised the importance of having a trustee, who should be equipped with toe power to give a widow immediate funds if she needed them. Without a trustee indecision in a family could also arise and bring much unhappiness. He explained the meaning of life tenancy, its traps and toe problems it created for children, but pointed out that one of its purposes was to avoid double death duties.

Long lists of bequests, such as pictures and furniture, were not recommended as they became out of date in a will of long standing. Everything on these lists had to tie accounted for and serious problems arose if, for instance, some of the bequests had been given away in the meantime. When a will was made it should be kept in a safe but obvious place—not hidden in some place where it could not be found readily, Mr Vincent said.