Orphans and Vulnerable Children - CRIN

The Importance of Making a Will

In this activity, you will:

 Discuss the importance of making a will and what it should contain

Facilitator’s notes:

In this activity, you will discuss with the group the importance of will-making in succession
planning. You will also discuss the contents of a will, as well as the requirements of making a will.

Making or writing a will is an important way for parents to make plans
for their children’s future. A will is legally binding if correct
procedures are followed when it is made. When you discuss
will-making with participants, emphasise the importance of
making sure that the will is legally valid, so that there are
no complications when the will is executed (when the
instructions are carried out). Invalidated wills may entail
lengthy court procedures to sort them out.

The person appointed to manage the will should
realise that executing a will is a legal process and
mismanagement of the estate can result in legal action.

For this activity you will need:

 Flipchart and markers

 Copies of Handout 1

To facilitate this activity:

1 This activity follows on from the last one, where participants discussed
ways to ensure a child’s inheritance. Offer the information on wills in
this activity as a mini lecture, but allow participants time to ask questions.
Use your facilitator’s notes, reference notes and boxes giving definitions
and terms (see Activity 3 and 4) used in wills to help you answer them.

2 Distribute copies of Handout 1 to participants and go through it with
them. They will file it in their home visitor’s handbooks for reference.

Definition of a will:

A will is a legal statement made during a person’s life in which he/she directs how

his/her property should be shared out after his/her death. A will provides for orderly

succession; that is, it spells out clearly the wishes of the person making the will and how

his/her assets should be divided. It may also provide instructions for the guardianship of

the children and care for the aged, thus leaving the family in harmony.

Activity 3

There are further

notes on will-making

and a section on

questions and answers

about wills in Appendix

2 on page 360

!!

note

45 minutes

Guide to Mobilising and Strengthening Community-Led Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children Unit 2, Module 4^281