Anytime someone asks me this question, my response is always ‘No, it is not too early to write your will.” As someone with first-hand experience, I will tell you why I made the previous statement.
I don’t want to make assumptions that everyone reading this understands what a will is so I will define it. In simple terms, a will is a legal document that states how your properties and assets should be distributed upon your demise.
That is to say, when you leave this world, how your resources are shared depends solely on this document. If you have children or dependents, it is very important to have a will to avoid unnecessary trouble when you leave.
I know it’s weird we’re talking about death and wills but it’s a fact we all must face. We don’t want to leave the people behind with added grief.
Let me now tell you my experience- I am proudly the first daughter of my family. My mum had me out of wedlock while she was still in school with my dad. My father of blessed memory, as the good man that he was, owned up to the pregnancy.
My mum took a break from school, and my father continued schooling and at the same time was working. After my birth, my mum returned to school. A little while after that, they got married and started life.
Both parents came from average families, they weren’t poor but the luxuries of life could not be attached to them. My mum had about 5 siblings that I knew of (I hear there might be more) while my dad came from a family of 8 siblings, so the struggle was real.
My parents were hard workers, dedicated and they were so united, I strongly believe it was what made them successful. Even after marriage, it took a while before they gave me siblings, the age difference between me and my immediate younger brother is about 8 years.
While the remaining two have just two years between them. They made sure they were always prepared for circumstances and planned well.
My dad passed away when he was 39, I remember it was a few weeks before his 40th birthday. To say I was devastated was an understatement, I loved my father dearly and he was my guy. Our bond was special and I always felt he understood me.
I was 18 at that time and very much an adult with regards to my knowledge of things, I was exposed and taught properly by my parents. Anytime I remember him, I involuntarily shed a tear.
Immediately after his burial, his relatives began poking their noses. I call them ‘his relatives’ because those people can never be my relatives, never.
They kept questioning my traumatised mother on how their inheritance would be shared. I was always livid whenever I heard the word ‘their inheritance’- as if they worked for it.
Long story short, the lawyer called everybody one evening and gave us a copy of my father’s will to each of us. Those who could read collected and those who could not had someone explain it to them.
Nah, don’t worry, this is not one of those African movies where the father does not have a will or where the will does not cater for the man’s children. My parents wrote the will together.
Apparently, my father started writing his will after graduating from university and got his first job. He made adjustments as he had more children and more assets. What my parents did was, every year on his birthday they reviewed the will and saw if there were any necessary changes to be made.
Heaven knows where I, my mother and my siblings would be if my father’s will wasn’t written. In case you’re wondering, his relatives were treated well too, they got what they deserved.
Anytime I think of my father, I am even more grateful to him for writing his will at such an age many would consider young.
I understood that once you’re 18 in most parts of the world you are allowed to prepare your will. As an adult now with kids of my own, I have my will ready should anything happen to me.
As long as you are working, and have assets, children or dependents, it is not too early to write that will. Write that will today, it does not mean you are praying for any bad occurrence, you are just being cautious.
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