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.

• An application for a grant of probate is made in the form of a petition in English and the will must be attached to the application and lodged in a magistrate court where the deceased had permanent residence.
• Where the will is written in a language other than English, an English translation must be attached to the application.
• The application must be verified by at least one of the witnesses to the will.
• The applicant must attach the following;
• Death certificate
• LC letter confirming the death of the person who made the will
• Copy of the will. 

The petition must state the following;

• Date of the person who made the will died
• That the will was his/her last will
• List of all the property left by the deceased and their value in monetary terms
• List of dependent relatives
• State that the person applying for the grant of probate is the executor named in the will
• A declaration of compliance that the requirements of the law and payment of estate duty have been complied with.

• Make more than one copy of the will to avoid forgery of it.
• The will can be kept by anyone who he/she trusts including lawyers, a bank, an insurance company, a close friend, a LC official, an elder, a relative, a religious leader, friend among others.
• A person with whom a will is kept should make it known immediately upon the death of the testator.