“Why a Will Should Be Your Priority During Wills Month”

Every September, South Africa observes Wills Month, and this week is especially important — Wills Week. It’s a reminder that taking care of what matters most (your loved ones, your legacy, your peace of mind) means more than just good intentions. Having a valid Will ensures your wishes are respected and your family is protected.

What Is a Will — and Why It Matters

• A Will is a legal document that outlines how your estate (your assets, property, personal possessions) should be distributed after you pass away. It can also name guardians for minor children, appoint executors to administer your estate, and specify funeral wishes.

• Without a valid Will, the law determines who inherits — and that might not align with what you want. It can cause delays, extra costs (both legal and emotional), and confusion for those left behind.

Common Misconceptions

Misconception	Reality
“I’m young / don’t have many assets yet.”	Even if you don’t own a big estate now, you likely have things people value — items, savings, digital assets, or responsibilities. Things like guardianship matter early.
“My partner / spouse will automatically inherit everything.”	Spousal rights depend on how you are married / what your marital property regime is. Without a Will, intestacy laws apply.
“Setting up a Will is too complicated or expensive.”	It doesn’t have to be. A simple Will can be made affordably; Proper Group (and specialists like those in Wills & estates) can help you do it correctly.

Key Components of a Good Will

• Executor: someone you trust to administer the estate fairly and efficiently.

• Beneficiaries: who gets what. Be as clear as possible (names, percentages, specific assets).

• Guardianship: for children under 18, name a guardian.

• Specific Bequests: jewellery, heirlooms, personal items.

• Residual Estate: what happens to what’s left after debts and specific bequests.

• Witnesses & Formalities: to make the Will legally valid, there are rules about signing, witnessing, storage.

How Proper Group Can Help

While Proper Group is best known for financial planning, insurance, medical aid, investments & group benefits; sound estate planning — which includes creating / reviewing Wills — ties into all those services. Ensuring your financial plan includes what happens when you’re gone is a vital part of responsible planning.

If you’ve updated your life insurance, your investments or your assets recently, it’s a good time to revisit your Will. Life changes — marriage, children, acquiring new properties — can change what your Will needs to say.

Wills Month / Wills Week: What You Should Do Now

1. Check if you have a valid Will. If you made one many years ago, maybe under different circumstances, or it was done quickly/digitally without professional oversight, it may be time to review and update.

2. Review your assets. What do you own today? Properties, bank accounts, investments, vehicles, digital assets.

3. Think about your people. Who depends on you? Children, partners, elderly parents.

4. Get it in writing, formally and legally. Use a qualified professional to ensure your Will is valid under South African law.

5. Store it safely and tell someone where it is. Executors / trusted family should know.

Wills Month is more than just a reminder — it’s an opportunity. The chance to secure your legacy, ease the burden on those you love, and have peace of mind that your wishes will be carried out. Whether your estate is large or small, what matters is doing it properly.

Reach out to Proper Group today to talk through how your Will fits with your overall financial plan.