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.

The law of succession involves the management of the property of a deceased person. There are two ways to deal with a deceased person’s property depending on whether at death they had left a will or not.

The authority given to an executor/executrix (a person named in the will to distribute the property) is called a grant of probate

The authority given to an administrator (person given authority to distribute the property of a person who died without a will) is called letters of administration.

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.