A will for every age and stage of your life

Writing a will is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your loved ones. A last will and testament is a legal document that outlines how your assets and property should be distributed after you pass away. Creating a will at every age and stage of your life is important because life is unpredictable, and you want to make sure your will is relevant to your life stage.

In your 20s and 30s

When you’re in your 20s and 30s, you may not have many assets, or dependants, but you should still seriously consider writing a will. You may very well a have a car, jewellery, heirlooms, or savings that you may want to leave to specific people in your life. In your will, you can name an executor responsible for carrying out your wishes. 

If you have minor children, you should also consider thinking about who a suitable guardian would be for them. If something were to happen to you, it helps social workers guide the court as to your wishes. If you don’t name a guardian, the court will appoint one for you, and it may not be the person you would have chosen.

You could also consider including the names and passwords of digital assets, such as cryptocurrency in your will. Without a will, it may be difficult for your loved ones to access these accounts after you pass away. Just imagine owning bitcoin, passing away and nobody knows where the passwords are.

In your 40s and 50s

In your 40s and 50s, you may have acquired more assets and property, and your life circumstances may have changed. If you got married or divorced, had children, or bought a home, it’s essential to update your will to reflect these changes.

Most people get divorced between the ages of 40 and 50. In South Africa in 2021 the median age at the time of divorce was 45 years for males and 41 years for females, indicating that, on average, divorced males were four years older than divorced females.

The 2021 statistical release on divorces in SA is based on 18 208 completed divorce forms received and processed by Stats SA, reporting divorce data for the year 2021.

In your will, consider who you want to inherit your assets and property. You may want to leave your assets to your spouse, children, or other family members. You could also consider including any charities or organisations that you support.

You may even have a business partner or offshore assets at this stage of your life, and this would mean additional considerations with regards to your will and other documents such as buy and sell agreements or trusts.

You should also review the beneficiaries of your retirement and life insurance policies. These policies will pass to the designated beneficiary/ies, regardless of what your will says. Make sure that your beneficiary nominations are up to date and reflect your current wishes.

In your 60s and beyond

If you’ve retired, sold your home, exited businesses, or lost a spouse, you should update your will to reflect these changes.

Consider your healthcare wishes and include them in your will. If you become incapacitated, a healthcare power of attorney can make medical decisions. You could also consider creating a living will, which outlines your wishes for end-of-life care.

Talking to your loved ones about your will and wishes is essential. Let them know where your will is located and who your executor is. This can help prevent confusion and conflict after you pass away.

Conclusion

No matter what stage of life you’re in, having a will is crucial. A will help ensure that your wishes are followed and that your loved ones are cared for after you pass away. Even if you don’t have a lot of assets or property, a will is still important as it removes confusion and conflict as your wishes are clearly documented.

If you already have a will, reviewing it regularly and making any necessary updates is important. Life is unpredictable, and your circumstances will change over time. Keeping your will up to date helps ensure that your wishes are always reflected.

Creating a will can be daunting, but don’t be intimidated, Capital Legacy is there to help you. We have drafted more than 600,000 wills over the last 10 years. We believe in the power of a personal consultation, where one of our expert consultants will meet you at your convenience, tailoring your will according to your needs. Don’t leave your loved ones with additional stress if something should happen to you. And remember, where there’s no will, there’s drama.

Speak to your financial advisor or contact Capital Legacy today.