Do You Have A Will?

By Omolara Garuba

I still remember the first time I brought up the topic of writing a will in a public forum. The response was overwhelming—over 3,400 reactions in just 24 hours from people from all walks of life. It was clear that this was a topic that resonated with many, and one that sparked a range of emotions and opinions.

Some of the comments really stood out to me. One person said, “I think once you hit 40, you should definitely have a will in place. And then, as life changes, you can update it.” This comment struck a chord with me, as it highlighted the importance of having a will in place as we get older. It’s not just about planning for our own mortality, but also about ensuring that our loved ones are taken care of after we’re gone.

Another person shared, “I’ve been thinking about writing a will, but I keep pushing it off because I don’t want to think about dying.” This comment echoed a sentiment that many of us can relate to. Death is a difficult topic to confront, and it’s natural to want to avoid thinking about it. However, avoiding the topic altogether can lead to unintended consequences, such as leaving our loved ones to deal with complicated and potentially costly legal issues after we’re gone.

Someone else made a great point: “If we start framing having a will as a thoughtful gift to our loved ones, rather than just a morbid necessity, more people might be open to it.” This comment highlighted the importance of shifting our mindset around wills and estate planning. Rather than viewing it as a grim task, we should see it as an opportunity to show our loved ones that we care about their well-being and want to make things easier for them after we’re gone.

Another person highlighted a sad reality: “In Africa, we tend to avoid thinking about death altogether. We just go through life without planning for the inevitable.” This comment struck a chord with me, as it highlighted the cultural taboo that surrounds death and estate planning in many African societies. However, it’s essential that we start to break down these taboos and have open and honest conversations about death and estate planning.

The responses I received highlighted the importance of having a will in place, regardless of our age or cultural background. It’s not just about planning for our own mortality; it’s about showing our loved ones that we care about their well-being and want to make things easier for them after we’re gone. By framing having a will as a thoughtful gift, rather than a morbid necessity, we can start to break down the cultural taboos that surround death and estate planning.

In conclusion, the response to my initial post highlighted the importance of having a will in place and the need to break down the cultural taboos that surround death and estate planning. By having open and honest conversations about these topics, we can start to shift our mindset and view having a will as a thoughtful gift to our loved ones.