Why Nigerian needs to start Making Wills
Wills help in the disposition of their properties upon the time of their death
Nigerians are petrified when it comes to writing their own will, it's like wishing them death if you ever mention it to anyone. At some point in time, death will eventually come to everyone irrespective.
I have sat down with people on different occasions to educate them why it's important that they write their own will and I think it's not far-fetched.
Firstly, after the death of an estate, the close relatives start asking questions about the assets possessed by the deceased and whichever banks or investment house they are located in. No single person has details of this information except the deceased himself, who's no longer alive to provide the answers. A will of testament would have quietly solved this confusion without a doubt.
Secondly, loads of funds are left untouched in Financial houses because no family members can just work up to the banks and lay claim to the funds. The banks have no reason to oblige them because they have no direct relationship with the bank. Some people have found a way around this by introducing their wives or children as signatories on their accounts. Even at that, Nigerians are very private people. Giving up the right of sole signatory means those people will find a way to kill you real quick.
In addition to this, after the death of the estate, anyone who possesses the backing of the rest of the family can just walk up to the court and get a letter of administration, which allows him to administer the will of the deceased as he wishes. Regardless of they will take responsibility for all the other immediate families. It is turning in hindsight when you refuse to write your own will, you can not be able to control events after you are gone.
I read of a son who through a letter administration got his father's benefits. He racked up a sum of 30 million nairas and bought a Mercedes of 15 million for his own personal use. I'm sure his Dad would be turning in his grave.
Writing a will should not be an option, it's a necessity that needs to be embraced. These funds can be wisely distributed across time to solve prominent life issues rather than been forgotten in the bank or siphon by gluttons.