The Weekend Sun
Friday 6 September 2019
33
Those big myths and mysteries about wills One surprising misunderstanding from a study recently commissioned by the Public Trust was the belief that a couple need just one will between them rather than one each. Just over half (52 per cent) thought this was correct, according to the Public Trust study commissioned ahead of their ‘myth busting’ Wills Month campaign. Public Trust chief executive Glenys Talivai says that many people mistakenly assume that, without a will, everything will automatically go to their next of kin. “Every adult needs their own individual will, whether
in a relationship or not,” says Glenys, but 55 per cent of adults do not have one at all. “A will makes it very clear how you’d like your assets to be shared between family and friends and can greatly reduce the chance of your estate being successfully challenged. “Without a will, assets are divided according to the Administration Act 1969. Another misunderstanding with wills concerns relationships and when to update a will. “A will is still valid after a legal divorce, but anything assigned to ex-partners in the will becomes void. “From a legal perspective, that provision is read as
if the ex-partner died before the will maker,” says Glenys. “If you enter a new marriage after a will is made, it will usually revoke any will you wrote previously. The third big myth revealed in the research was about what goes into a will. “A will does not need to be highly detailed at all. You can simply decide to divide everything equally.”
How will you protect your loved ones? A will allows you to make your wishes known and provides clear instruction about what should happen when you die. It can be a very simple exercise, yet the impact of not having a will can add significantly to the distress of a bereaved family. Waipuna Hospice often finds itself helping grieving families through counselling and support
Waipuna for Tomorrow ambassador Peter Williams.
groups. “We believe good estate planning reduces anxiety for those left behind by protecting the family and avoiding costly legal bills,” says Waipuna Hospice’s CEO Richard Thurlow. “Most of us will be affected by illness at some stage of our lives,” says Waipuna for Tomorrow ambassador Peter Williams. “I have lost both my first wife and my father to cancer. During the final months our family was comforted by hospice support. “Waipuna
Hospice plays a vital role in our community supporting the terminally ill and their families. “For that reason, I urge you to support Waipuna Hospice with a gift in your will.” Until September 20, Waipuna Hospice and local solicitors are making it easier for you to create or update your will. Just include a gift to Waipuna Hospice in your will and your participating solicitor will draw up, free of charge, a basic will or amendment to an existing will, or a memorandum of wishes in the case of a Family Trust. To receive a voucher for your basic free will, contact Wayne Bloxham on: 0800 4 WAIPUNA (0800 492 478) or email: info@waipunafortomorrow.org.nz before September 20.
For a limited time Waipuna Hospice and local solicitors who have volunteered their expertise are making it easier for you to create or update your Will. Just include a gift - big or small to Waipuna Hospice in your Will and your participating solicitor will draw up, FREE of charge, a basic Will or amendment to an existing Will.
Butler Gray Law Office
"This September - Will Month, I urge you to create or update your Will." - Peter Williams
To receive a voucher for your FREE basic Will contact 0800 4 WAIPUNA (0800 492 478) or info@waipunafortomorrow.org.nz Before 20 September 2019