A tribute to strong WILL’d women this Women’s Month

We’re in 2023. I’m a working mom, like most of the moms I know. Life is busy and rushed; I arrive home just before 6pm; my husband grabbed the afternoon school run as I had a project deadline and traffic was worse than usual. There’s loadshedding and we’re late to warming our child’s dinner so she’s less than impressed. After the bedtime routine, packing school bags and lunches, my hubby and I cook a quick meal and then tackle our individual tax returns before calling it a day.

The traditional “role” of women has evolved. We’re now in the same rat-race as our male peers, earning our own income and defining our own destinies. Women are handling their own financial affairs and in some cases are the driving force in ensuring the family’s affairs are in order. Whether you’re single, dating or married, it’s the 21^st century and you are in control of getting your affairs in order and you’re able to design your own legacy. It feels like there’s never enough time in the day to get to everything and never the right time to knuckle down and tick all the financial affairs boxes, but it is in your power to take control and get it done.

When considering getting your affairs in order, the ‘usual’ suspects would likely be to have a savings account, retirement annuity, medical aid, car insurance and life insurance. One important item often overlooked is your last will and testament. Don’t put off doing it because you see it as a morbid, grudge item. See it as one of the ways you can protect your family from additional drama, heartache and stress should anything happen to you. Your will allows you to state exactly what you would like to happen to your assets when you pass away and gives you the opportunity to leave a positive legacy for those you leave behind. It takes a strong-willed woman to get through the daily challenges life throws at us. All our efforts will be in vain if we neglect to look out for our loved ones.

Six important considerations if you don’t have a will in place.

1. Imagine forfeiting the opportunity to nominate preferred guardians for your children (Did you know that 52% of South African households with children are run by single moms?).
2. Consider the heartache of cherished assets and heirlooms ending up in the wrong hands.
3. Picture losing control over who inherits your assets, leaving it all to be distributed according to South African legislation.
4. Delayed estate settlements can worsen the already challenging grieving process for your family.
5. Consider the family feuds that could erupt if there is no clarity as to your wishes.
6. Your partner could be left with nothing.

So how can you get your will sorted? It’s simple, reach out to Capital Legacy to book your will consultation with one of their friendly, expert will consultants. Their consultations are offered in person, virtually or telephonically for your convenience. In less than an hour you’ll be equipped with a professionally drafted last will and testament and have complete peace of mind. There is no charge for the will consultation. Capital Legacy will also send a courier to collect your will for safekeeping once you have checked that you’re happy and it’s correctly signed and witnessed. As your life events happen, for example, you get married, purchase property, or perhaps have kids, you can request a will amendment, and any updates/changes to your will are also at no cost to you.

This is a special salute to all those strong-willed women out there. May you find a moment to breathe, tick those boxes, reflect and even spoil yourself this month, never forgetting that it’s the legacies we leave behind that truly matter.