Where there's a Will, there's a way to protect what matters most

A Will isn't just about paperwork; it's about peace of mind. Having a Will ensures your assets are distributed as you wish, prevents conflict, and gives your loved one's clarity when they need it most. Yet around 85% of South Africans die without having a valid Will, leaving families to face months of legal delays and uncertainty. To see why it matters having a Will, let's look at two families - one family who managed to plan ahead, and one that didn't.

Case 1: The Mokoena family's struggle - no Will, no clarity

When Mr Mokoena passed away suddenly at 49, he left behind his wife and two children, but no Will. The result? His estate had to be divided under the Intestate Succession Act, a South African law that governs how a person's estate is divided when they die without a valid Will (intestate), which didn't reflect Mr Mokoena's wishes. That meant:

• The family home, which he wanted his wife to keep, had to be split.
• No executor was appointed, causing months of delays.
• His minor children's inheritance was kept in the Guardian's Fund, causing delays when trying to access funds for school fees and everyday needs.
• Family disputes and emotional strain piled up during an already painful time.

All this could have been avoided with a simple signed and valid Will.

Case 2: The Nkosi family's peace of mind - a Will in place

When Mrs Nkosi passed away at 52, leaving a minor child, she had a signed and valid Will drafted through Discovery Wills and Trust Services. Her Will:

• Appointed Discovery as her executor, who provided professional services and efficiently wrapped up the estate.
• Clearly stated how her assets should be shared.
• Set up a testamentary trust for her child's inheritance ensuring it was protected until the age of 21.
• Named her sister as the guardian of her child.

The difference was immediate. The estate wind up process began smoothly, without issues. No confusion. No conflict. Just peace of mind and a legacy of love and organisation.

What can we learn from these two stories?

Without a Will, the law determines how your estate is divided but with a Will, you decide what happens to your assets. A signed, accessible and valid Will helps you:

• Avoid family disputes and misunderstandings.
• Reduce legal costs and delays.
• Appoint guardians for your children.
• Protects beneficiaries' inheritance by setting up testamentary trusts.

It's one of the simplest, most meaningful gestures you can leave behind.

How Discovery Bank makes it possible to get a Will

As a Discovery Bank client, you can get access to Discovery Wills and Trust Services free and professional Will-drafting services.

If you're a Discovery Bank client, you can:

• Request and store your Will at no cost directly in the Discovery Bank app.
• Earn 10,000 Vitality Money points once your signed Will is safely stored with Discovery Wills and Trust Services.

Not yet a Discovery Bank client? You can still start your estate planning journey by visiting discovery.co.za, speaking to your financial adviser or sending an email to Willsandtrust_info@discovery.co.za.

Take control today

Having a Will is one of the most important ways to protect your legacy and your family's future. Start your Will and estate planning journey today with Discovery Wills and Trust Services - because when it comes to your legacy, being prepared changes everything.

Find out more

Limits, terms and conditions apply. For standard Wills, drafting is free of charge. If you need a customised or offshore Will, we'll refer you to a specialist boutique law firm, where a fee will apply. Discovery Life Limited, Registration number 1966/003901/06, is a licensed life insurer, an authorised financial services and registered credit provider, NCR Reg number. NCRCP3555. Discovery Wills and Trust Services, a division of Discovery Central Services (Pty) Limited, a company registered in South Africa with registration number 2016/054628/07 and part of the Discovery group of companies.