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Is a copy of a will valid?

12 October 2021

Both my parents recently passed away in a car accident. My father shortly before his death mentioned to me that... they recently had a new joint will drawn up. I’ve searched everywhere for the will and can only locate a copy of the signed will. Even their attorney does not have the original will. Can this copy be accepted as the valid will of my parents?

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352
Article
Properly executing a will is extremely important

09 July 2018

I gave instructions to my attorney to prepare a last will and testament for me as my will no longer... reflected my wishes. At my request, my attorney emailed the will to me with clear instructions as to how I should go about signing it. I asked my neighbours to act and sign as witnesses. My neighbours signed the will on all the pages and left before I signed. I then signed the will on all the pages. I am now worried about the validity of my will as the email from my attorney states that I have to sign the will in the presence of two witnesses. Is my will valid?

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450
Article
Demystifying the executor in a deceased estate

21 July 2017

During a person’s lifetime s/he will gather assets, in other words, belongings such as a house or a motor vehicle.... These assets and liabilities will form part of a person’s estate. At the death of that person, his/her deceased estate must be administered, in other words, divided, distributed and controlled by someone. This person is called an executor.

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413
Article
Owning property without a will

10 March 2017

If you die without a will, an administrator will have to be appointed to administer your estate which will be... distributed according to the laws of intestate succession. As such, your assets may not be distributed as you would have wished. It also means that the process will be delayed and that there will be additional expense and frustration which most people would not want to inflict on their loved ones during a time of loss.

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500
Article
Managing disputes over a deceased relative’s estate

15 August 2016

If someone leaves a sizeable estate behind, it may cause conflict among the possible heirs. The help of an attorney,... when settling an estate after a death, can avoid unnecessary troubles.

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570
Article
Is an unsigned electronic will valid?

09 November 2015

My father recently passed away. His will was drafted by a financial planner who e-mailed the final draft to him,... but which he never signed. We found the email with the will attached but no further correspondence or documentation between the financial planner and my father regarding the content of the will or his wishes. Is this will valid?

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357
Article
Can I inherit if not formally adopted?

13 October 2015

I have been raised as the only child by parents who are not my biological parents. Although I regard them... as my true parents, I was never formally adopted by them. They are both in ill-health and I don’t think they have a will. They don’t have much, but I am concerned that if they die I will lose the possessions that they do have. Will I be able to inherit from them when they pass away?

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393
Article
Some pointers for planning your estate

28 July 2015

The main aim of planning your estate is to ensure that as much of the accumulated wealth is utilised for... your own benefit and for the maximum utilisation of dependents on your death.

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366
Article

BEST LEGAL Q&A 2021, EDITION 6

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BEST LEGAL Q&A 2021, EDITION 6

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