﻿{"id":2010,"date":"2025-08-07T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalwills.ca\/blog\/?p=2010"},"modified":"2026-06-09T20:08:37","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T18:08:37","slug":"preparing-a-last-will-and-testament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalwills.co.za\/blog\/2025\/08\/07\/preparing-a-last-will-and-testament\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Make a Will: Top 10 Reasons You Should Write Your Will Now"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Originally published: 20 April 2017 &nbsp;|&nbsp; Last updated: 7 August 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"border-left-color:#2980b9;border-left-width:4px;background-color:#f0f7fb;padding-top:20px;padding-right:24px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:24px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>TL;DR:<\/strong> The top 10 reasons to write a Will include: controlling who inherits your assets, appointing guardians for children, choosing your executor, reducing family disputes, minimising legal costs, providing for charitable giving, protecting common-law partners, managing digital assets, ensuring business continuity, and gaining peace of mind.\n<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n\nTL;DR: The top 10 reasons to write a Will include: controlling who inherits your assets, appointing guardians for children, choosing your executor, reducing family disputes, minimising legal costs, providing for charitable giving, protecting common-law partners, managing digital assets, ensuring business continuity, and gaining peace of mind.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"646\" height=\"646\" data-attachment-id=\"2230\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.legalwills.co.za\/blog\/2025\/08\/07\/preparing-a-last-will-and-testament\/top10\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.legalwills.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/top10.jpg?fit=720%2C720&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"720,720\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"top10\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.legalwills.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/top10.jpg?fit=646%2C646&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.legalwills.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/top10.jpg?resize=646%2C646&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Reason to write a Will\" class=\"wp-image-2230\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.legalwills.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/top10.jpg?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.legalwills.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/top10.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.legalwills.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/top10.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 646px) 100vw, 646px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top 10 Reasons to Write a Will in South Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. You Control Who Inherits Your Assets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\nEvery South African adult needs a Will. Here are the 10 most compelling reasons to write yours today. And why you should not delay.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. You Appoint Guardians for Minor Children<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\nWithout a Will, the Intestate Succession Act decides. A Will lets you choose exactly who receives what.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. You Choose Your Executor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\nA Will is the only way to choose who raises your children.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. You Reduce Family Disputes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\nSelect a trusted person to manage your estate, not a court-appointed stranger.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. You Minimise Legal Costs and Delays<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\nA clear, legally valid Will minimises the risk of disagreements among family members.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. You Can Make Charitable Bequests<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\nThe estate administration process becomes more cost-effective and efficient when a person leaves a Will compared to when they die without one. The estate administration process becomes more cost-effective and efficient when a person leaves a Will compared to when they die without one. The process of estate administration becomes more cost-effective and efficient when someone leaves a Will than when they die without one. The process of estate administration becomes more cost-effective and efficient when someone leaves a Will than when they die without one.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"613\" height=\"658\" data-attachment-id=\"1464\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.legalwills.co.za\/blog\/bequests\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.legalwills.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/bequests.jpg?fit=613%2C658&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"613,658\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"bequests\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Bequests to charities&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.legalwills.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/bequests.jpg?fit=613%2C658&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.legalwills.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/bequests.jpg?resize=613%2C658&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Planned Giving\" class=\"wp-image-1464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.legalwills.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/bequests.jpg?w=613&amp;ssl=1 613w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.legalwills.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/bequests.jpg?resize=279%2C300&amp;ssl=1 279w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 613px) 100vw, 613px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. You Protect Common-Law Partners<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\nYou have the option to create a lasting impact through donations which will support your chosen charitable organizations and their causes.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. You Manage Digital Assets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\nCommon-law partners do not receive any inheritance rights when someone passes away without leaving a will. A Will serves as the only method to establish their care.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. You Ensure Business Continuity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\nYou should provide instructions about your digital assets together with your online account information during the document preparation process.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. You Gain Peace of Mind<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\nIf you own a business, your Will can include provisions for business succession and continuity.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is it too late to make a Will?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\nYou will experience immediate relief when your affairs become organized because your family will have complete protection.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"Article\",\"headline\":\"Top 10 Reasons to Make a Will in South Africa\",\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Tim Hewson\"},\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"LegalWills.co.za\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.legalwills.co.za\"},\"datePublished\":\"2017-04-20\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-10\"}<\/script>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why should I make a Will in South Africa?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"To control who inherits, appoint guardians for children, choose your executor, reduce disputes, minimise costs, and gain peace of mind.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is it too late to make a Will?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No. Anyone aged 16+ and of sound mind can make a valid Will at any time.\"}}]}<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Originally published: 20 April 2017 &nbsp;|&nbsp; Last updated: 7 August 2025 TL;DR: The top 10 reasons to write a Will include: controlling who inherits your assets, appointing guardians for children, choosing your executor, reducing family disputes, minimising legal costs, providing for charitable giving, protecting common-law partners, managing digital assets, ensuring business continuity, and gaining peace [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":true},"categories":[7],"tags":[30,12,33,22,15],"class_list":["post-2010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-wills","tag-beneficiaries-2","tag-estate-planning","tag-executors","tag-guardians","tag-wills"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\r\n<title>Why Make a Will: Top 10 Reasons You Should Write Your Will Now - The S.A. 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