From Procrastination to Preparation: Making Wills Simple

“Procrastination is my superpower.”

“How do I choose a substitute for my kids? Nobody makes my kid’s oats like I do.”

“I don’t want to start a family feud before I’m gone.”

“My estate is mostly mismatched Tupperware and socks — who wants that?”

I’ve heard it all: The (funny but true) reasons people avoid wills.

70% of people in South Africa don’t have a will, and let’s be honest — writing a will is not exactly anyone’s idea of fun, hence the high procrastination rate on the specific subject.

Most people would rather binge a series, clean out the garage, or even go for a dental check-up before tackling it. Why?Because wills feel sensitive, serious, and ask too many difficult life questions.

The trick is to make writing your will feel less like doom and gloom, and more like life admin …with benefits.

Reframe it. It’s not about death; it’s about planning for life .

What questions should you ask before writing a Will?

1. Who do you trust to care for your minor children?

2. Who should be your will executor?

(The best executor is someone who you not only trust with your wishes, but someone with the practical, legal, and financial know-how to wrap up your affairs.)

3. Do you want to leave any specific gifts to people?

4. How do you want to distribute your assets?

5. Do you want to give any money to charity?

6. Who do you want to leave your digital assets to?

7. Have you been married more than once? Do you have children from multiple marriages?

8. When can minors access their inheritance?

9. Do you have a plan for the worst-case scenario?

Find attached a short user-friendly checklist that summarizes all the important points we just mentioned. Feel free to print it out and use it to help prepare for your first will.

At Orca, we know that wills can feel awkward —

So we make them simple and practical, and even a little less gloomy and doomy.