One may cancel a will in two ways by;

• Making another will
• By writing to declare that the original will is cancelled
• By marriage. Once one gets married, the will that was made before that marriage is automatically cancelled.

Every person, man or woman above 18 years of age and is of sound mind can make a will.

A deaf, dumb or blind person can make a will if he/she is of sound mind.

A person who is usually insane can make a will during times when he/she is sane.

It should be noted that a will is invalid if at the time the person making it did not understand what they were doing.

What does a will contain?

• All the names, address and age of the person making a will
• Name of the executor(s). This is a person who will ensure that the testator’s instructions in the will are followed. This can be any person that you choose, man or woman.
• Name and address of the person appointed as the heir.
• A list of the properties belonging to the person making the will.
• List of the children and the dependants
• Name of the wife/husband
• Names of persons who have received a share of the properties of the person making a will and what property has been given to each of them.
• Signature or thumbprints of the person making the will.
• Signature or thumbprints, names, addresses and occupation of at least two witnesses to the will.
• It should be noted that a will must be in writing and signed by the person making it and the witnesses.

Where no will was made, the following are entitled to benefit from the property of the deceased.

• Where the deceased died leaving behind a customary heir, a wife, a lineal descendant and a dependant relative.
• Customary heir is entitled to 1%
• Widow/widower is entitled to 15%
• Children of the deceased entitled to 75%
• Dependent relatives are entitled to 9%

Note: The administrator or an executor must file a list of all assets of the deceased in court within six months from the grant of probate or letters of administration, (inventory) and an account of how the properties have been used or distributed within one year of receiving the authority and he /she is expected to have performed his or her duties by the end of 12 months unless he requests court to grant him more time.