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.

• Having a will ensures that upon one’s death, his/her property is given to those people that he/she intended it to go to.
• A will helps to avoid family wrangles/conflicts that normally result from failure to agree.
• A will enables the will-maker to appoint an heir of his/her choice
• A will enable the relatives of the dead to know all his/her properties which may not be known to them
• A will ensures that the deceased’s property is distributed by a trusted person.

This is a document stating all the property you own and how you want it distributed upon your death and who should distribute it.