It's wise to enlist an expert's help when drawing up your Will. This is a legal document that must be correctly worded, signed and witnessed – or it could be declared invalid.
Banks, lawyers and financial advisors can help. Some offer this service at no charge if they are named as executors of your estate.

Assets and liabilities
Prepare for your meeting by listing all your assets, such as your home, land or other property, household contents, antiques, car, jewellery, motorbike, caravan, savings and cash, stocks, shares, investments, pension benefits and life insurance policies.

Then list all your liabilities, such as your bond, loans, hire purchase agreements, bank overdraft, credit cards and tax owed.

Guardianship
Also consider who you would entrust with the guardianship of minor children or animals. If you've supported the SPCA during your lifetime, you may wish to include your favourite cause in your Will, too.

Estate Duty is payable to the government on all estates over a certain value.
However, whatever you leave to your spouse is exempt from Estate Duty – as is any bequest you leave to a charity or trust.

Estate Duty is calculated on your estate once the value of these bequests has been deducted. This is another reason why it's important to seek professional help when drawing up your Will.

If you have an existing Will and wish to alter, update it or add a beneficiary, there's no need to rewrite the document.
You can attach a codicil. This is a legal document and must also be correctly worded and witnessed. Again, expert help is advisable.

Never make your own alterations to your Will – or pin or staple extra pages to the
original document. Rather make a codicil. Keep it in the same envelope as your Will, and leave it with your attorney or bank. Ensure that your executor knows where to find it if need be.

This is simply a gift of property or money in a Will.

The bequest could be a specific item or amount of money, or the residue of your estate (That is whatever remains after other bequests and all expenses have been paid).

Charitable bequests
By leaving a bequest to the SPCA, you'll ensure that your caring continues beyond your lifetime. This is the ultimate legacy of love.

There are several ways in which you could structure your charitable bequest:

On your behalf
Whatever way you choose to structure your special bequest, your vision and generosity will be greatly appreciated – and make a world of difference for the animals.