How to Write a Will: Property Arrangement and Technical Tips

Writing a will is an easy task if you know the components of a will and how to arrange the will itself. You may not need a will for now, nor will you be writing one for yourself now, but others may need this information and by reading this post, you get informed and empowered to educate others on it.

How to Write a Will: Property Arrangement and Technical Tips.

Through this post, you will learn how to write a Will. Let us look at how a will is written in Ghana by identifying the contents and using this as a template to draft a simple valid will.

#1. A will should have a title.

The title must contain the name of the one making the will.

E.g. THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF KWEKU MENU

#2. A will should have a clear introduction

The introductions should contain the following vital details

a. Name the one making the will

b. his or her residence and postal or digital address

c. The date on which the will is made

d. Make a declaration of your intent to write the will

E.g. I, KWEKU MENU of Hse. NO. 1252 Street (DAN-15252-5252-36)
Densu Krom of P.O. Box 115, Densu in the ………………………….. region of Ghana, declares this document to be my last will and testament which I write on this 25 day of December 2022 as follows:

#3. Indicate your appointed executors in the will

The executors are the individuals who in your absence will ensure that your will is executed (properties are shared as enshrined by you in the will)

This can be written as follows

I appoint my friend Dr. James Bomso, my friend Davis Okran and my brother Ato Menu as the executors of my will. I direct that my funeral expenses and testamentary debts be paid.

#4. Who gets what?

Indicate those who should get a share of your property and exactly what they must receive. This should have an initial mention of all who will have a share in your assets after your demise.

E.g. I bequeath all my properties and possessions owned by me at the time of my death to (my existing children – Names of children/ Father, Mother, Spouse, Friend, etc. Name those who should benefit.)…and direct that the said properties be owned by them in equal shares/ according to the percentages of ….. etc.

#5. List properties and who gets what

Knowing how to write a Will also demands that you master the act of writing the properties and who receives each or the percentage that goes to whoever you so wish.

E.g. The properties and possessions INCLUDE
the following;
1. All my household furniture and furnishings;
2. All my books, jewels, shoes, and bags;
3. All my cars, including my white Toyota Corolla GR 112450M, VW numbered GR 12401;
4. All my interest in the properties of my father, the late …….
5. My house number, …….. situated at Trassaco, Accra;
6. My 15 plots with the Land registration number., located at …….
7. My other plots at (name towns and locations)
8. a. My bank account number (Account Number here) at (Branch and BANK NAME HERE)
b. My savings and current accounts numbers (Account Number here) at (Branch and BANK NAME HERE)

All properties, movable and immovable, of whatever description, which I shall die possessed of or to which I shall be entitled at
the time of my death but which I have not otherwise disposed of in this will shall be vested in my spouse who I direct to fairly and
equitably manage the same for himself and all my children.

SEAL THE WILL, ENSURING THAT THERE IS A TESTATOR’S SIGNATURE

SIGNED, SEALED, AND DELIVERED BY THE WITHIN-NAMED TESTATOR, (TESTATOR’S NAME HERE), ON THE ………… DAY OF MONTH, YEAR

……………………………………………
TESTATOR

WITNESSES:

Ensure you have a witness or witnesses

E.g.

READ: SSNIT Considers Increasing Retirement Age to 65 years

In the presence of witnesses, being present at the same time;
Name of witness: Name of witness:
Address: Address:
Signature: Signature:

We hope this post “How to Write a Will: Property Arrangement and Technical Tips” has been an eye-opener.