Connect with us

News

Why next of kin can’t access funds after account owners’ death – Lawyer gives reasons

Published

on

Muhammed Adam
Spread the love

Lagos-based legal practitioner and Principal/Founder, Muhammed Adam & Associates, Muhammed Adam, speaks to VICTORIA EDEME on issues associated with writing a will

Can you explain the importance of having a will?

There are so many advantages to having a will. It is important for everyone, particularly those with assets in different parts of the country or worldwide. It becomes important for the person to take inventory of all their assets. Experience has shown that many people acquire property without a will, their family members do not know what they own while they are alive. So, a will helps the testator, the maker of the will, take proper inventory of their assets.

Under native law and custom, you can’t give your property to people who are not related to you. However, when you desire to give your property to non-relatives, a will can help you do so. Due to the nature of conflicts that have arisen in the past over the distribution of assets, the making of the will can easily resolve such disputes because it (a will) states who is to get what and what should be given to whom. In Nigeria, there are some native laws and customs that apply to inheritance. With the making of the will, there is a limit to which these native laws can apply to the distribution of assets. In some parts of Nigeria, women do not inherit property, or the first child is limited to certain properties. However, the making of the will reduces the impact of customary law on some of these assets.

What are the key components that should be included in a will?

There are four key components in a will. Firstly, a will must identify the testator i.e. the maker of the will and owner of the assets. The will must contain the full name, address, and age of the testator. Secondly, a will must clearly show who the executors are. Executors are people who will administer the will when the testator is no longer alive. Their names and addresses must be stated. Another important component of the will is the details of the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries are people who will inherit the properties of the testator after death. Also, the details of the property belonging to the testator must be stated in the will.

The testator must also state properties that do not belong to them. For example, you may entrust your property to my care as a lawyer. So when I’m writing my will, I need to state who such property belongs to. There is a saying that ‘you cannot give what you don’t have’. If a property does not belong to the testator, he cannot will it out. Also, the signature of the testator is very important because it validates the making of the will. A will without the testator’s signature is as good as a worthless piece of paper. The law requires that the signature must be in the presence of witnesses. If the witnesses are not present when the testator is signing the will, that will is not valid. These are the important components of a proper will.

Are there any legal requirements or formalities that must be met when drafting a will?

Advertisement

One of the requirements of a will is that it must be in writing. A will cannot be in oral form. The age of the testator is also a legal requirement. Under the law, you cannot make a will when you’re less than 18 because you’d be considered a minor. Even though a minor can acquire a property, a minor cannot give out a property. Signatures of the testator and witnesses are legal requirements. The date is also a legal requirement because a will is ambulatory, as it takes effect after the death of the testator. It is valid when the date of the will precedes the date of death. But if the date of death precedes the date of the will, it is invalid.

SEE ALSO:  Three farmers accused of feeding women to pigs

What happens if someone dies without a will?

When someone dies without a will, the person is said to have died intestate. But when someone dies with a will, the person is said to have died testate. If someone dies without a will, their property is subject to the estate law of their state of residence. The will subdues the effect of customary law and Islamic law. For example, if the person who dies without a will is a Muslim, the Islamic personal law will be fully activated. If the person is subject to native laws and customs, the customary law of that person will be fully activated.

Does this mean that the will supersedes customary and religious laws?

It supersedes them to the extent that it allows the testator to decide on how to distribute their properties and to also give people who are not related to them. Under Islamic law and customary law, there is a list of people that you can only give your properties to. There is an order that you must follow. There is a percentage that you must give to your child, father, daughter, mother, or surviving spouse under native law and custom. For instance, when a man is subject to customary law, and the person dies, the first child is the only child entitled to live on the property that the man was living on when he was alive. If he dies intestate, the customary law will be fully activated.

If the person is neither a Muslim nor someone subject to customary law, what applies is the administration of the estate law of that state. If the person is married under the statute, i.e. when they did the marriage in a registry or a licensed place of worship, certain people would apply for a letter of administration. So, the person that is number one, for instance in Lagos State, under the administration of its estate law is the surviving spouse, followed by the children, mother of the deceased, father of the deceased, uncle of the deceased, brothers, and so on. But the point is that if someone dies without a will, you apply for letters of administration. The letter of administration is a document that allows a third party to administer the estate of a deceased person.

The letter of administration can only be given to at least two people. The people that can apply for it are the surviving spouse and the children. If the surviving spouse is not alive, then the children, at least two of them who are above 18 years, can apply. If there is nobody like that, then it goes down to the mother of the deceased and so on. To enable those survivors to transfer or acquire those properties, they must get a letter of administration. Otherwise, they will not be able to get it. And this includes having access to bank accounts, having access to the pension, cooperatives, shares in companies, and all of that. A letter of administration is an important document that must be obtained when someone dies without a will and they have properties in their name.

SEE ALSO:  Mortuary tax not meant to generate revenue – Enugu Govt

How do the next of kin of account holders and pensionable workers get access to the accounts once the holder dies?

Advertisement

By law, a next of kin is someone who is required for information purposes only, i.e. someone who can be reached immediately if the account holders are unreachable. Being a next of kin, however, does not confer a legal right to acquire property or to have access to property or assets, money in an account, pension, and all of that. The obligation of the next of kin is to be able to bring the death of the account holder to the attention of the bank or to the attention of someone who holds the money so that they can recognise whoever comes forward as the owner of the letter of administration. I’ll give you an example. Let’s say you are my next of kin, and I have N20m in a bank. If I die today, your obligation by law is to only inform the bank that this person is no more. The bank will not transfer the money to you because you are just for information purposes.

In a real-life case that I was involved in, a woman was named as next of kin to a successful businessman, who was her husband. She wrote the bank to give her the money in her husband’s account because she’s the next of kin. The bank refused and she went to court. We argued before the court that the fact that she’s the next of kin does not mean that she’s automatically entitled to the money. By law, she still requires a letter of administration to be able to have access to the money. The advantage is that the next of kin may be someone who is disqualified by law from applying for a letter of administration. I’ll give you an example.

If a man now names his friend as next of kin, the friend does not have power, access, or rights to his money and he cannot apply for the letter of administration. But when there is a will, that will should automatically tell you who the money in the account is going to. The bank will work with what the will says concerning who will now have access to the account. But when there’s no will, it will work with the letter of administration. So to ensure that the transfer of wealth is moved to the next of kin, that account holder must have a will that states such.

Can you clarify the role of executors and how they are appointed in the will?

The role of the executor is the role of the administrator. He is the person who will assist the beneficiaries in getting the properties to them. For instance, if you name me as the beneficiary of your will, after death, the administrators need to transfer the property to me. There’s a document that the administrators must give to me as the beneficiary. That document is called assent. It’s only the executors who can issue that document. Before the administrators or the executors can issue assent to me, they must also apply to the probate registry of the High Court of the state to get probate. A document issued to executors or administrators to be able to administer a will is called probate. After the probate has been given by the probate registrar, it is their role again to now issue documents called assent so that the beneficiary can have access to the property. How executors are appointed is at the discretion of the testator. There is no special procedure to it.

SEE ALSO:  Relocate now, Lagdo Dam water has been released, FG tells Nigerians 

Can an executor be a beneficiary too?

As a general rule, no. The reason behind that general rule is so that there is no conflict of interest between being a beneficiary and being an executor. If you are an executor and a beneficiary at the same time, you may want to favour yourself more than other beneficiaries, or you may want to administer the assent faster towards getting the property compared to when you are not an executor and a beneficiary. But the testator, maybe because of their relationship, may name an executor as a beneficiary. For instance, if you name your spouse an executor of your estate, ordinarily that person is supposed to benefit from your estate, even without being an executor. So such a person can be named beneficiary and executor at the same time.

In an instance where the executor is not a beneficiary, what are the benefits that the executor will get?

Advertisement

One of the provisions for executors is how they will be paid. The testator will make provision for how the executors will be paid. If I make a will, and I appoint you as my executor, I may say that the sum of N5m should be paid to you every month during the administration of the estate. That way, you are not benefiting as a beneficiary now. You are being paid for your professional engagement. A lawyer can be an executor. If you name me as an executor in your will, and I’m being paid my professional fee for being an executor, I can’t be said to be a beneficiary of the will.

What options are available for distributing assets if the beneficiary dies before the testator?

If the beneficiary dies before the testator, such assets can go back to the estate. There is something called residual estate, which constitutes undistributed property. In some instances, it can be re-willed to another person, or to the survivor of that beneficiary. If the testator is still alive, he can use his discretion to change whatever he or she wants to change. But normally what happens in this instance is that the property will be re-willed to another person or the survivor of the beneficiary.

How often should a will be updated or reviewed?

A will should be updated if there is any change in your financial situation. It can be when you have a new child, you get married, a beneficiary dies, an executor dies, or there is a change in personal relationship. For instance, I have a son and I’ve made my will. If tomorrow I have another child, I will update my will. A codicil is an amendment made to a will. So you can have an original will and as many wills as possible. But the wiser thing to do is that if there’s a change in financial situation or family relationship, you update your will. (PUNCH)

 

 

Advertisement
Advertisements
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Grid collapse: TCN restores power to 90% substations

Published

on

Spread the love

The Transmission Company of Nigeria has said 90 per cent of its substations have received bulk power supply following efforts to recover the grid which suffered another collapse on Tuesday.

It said the ongoing restoration of the national grid which collapsed for the sixth time this year is ongoing and almost completed.

The Public Affairs General Manager of TCN, Ndidi Mbah said in a press statement that it has restored supply to Abuja.

On Monday, the grid collapsed at about 6:18 p.m., plunging many into darkness.

Checks by our correspondent confirmed that power generation dropped from 3.87 gigawatts at 5 p.m. to 3.56GW at 6 pm., and then to 0.00GW by 7 pm and 8 pm.

Reacting, electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory decried the incessant grid collapses, describing them as an embarrassment to the country.

But the transmission company in a reassuring message said the problem would be resolved soon.

The statement read, “The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby states that the national grid experienced a partial disturbance, on Monday, 14th October 2024 at about 6:48 pm and notes that efforts to fully recover the grid are still ongoing.

Advertisement

“Although the recovery of the grid commenced immediately, with Azura power station providing the blackstart, grid recovery reached advanced stages at about 10.24 am, today when it encountered a challenge that caused a slight setback in the recovery process.

“The slight setback notwithstanding, TCN continued with the grid recovery process, which has reached an advanced stage, ensuring bulk power availability to about 90 per cent of its substations nationwide.

SEE ALSO:  I didn’t come to look for money, I came to work — Tinubu

The statement added that supply has been restored to the Abuja axis and other major distribution load centres nationwide.

“Supply has been restored to the Abuja axis and other major distribution load centers nationwide.

“The partial disturbance did not affect the Ibom Gas generating station which was islanded from the grid yesterday and continued to supply areas in the South Southern part of the country such as Eket, Ekim, Uyo, and Itu 132kV transmission Substations during the period.

“Investigation into the cause of the incident will be carried out as soon as the grid is fully restored.”

Advertisements
Continue Reading

News

FG predicts 5-day heavy downpour across 22 states, FCT

Published

on

Buildings partially submerged by flood in Maiduguri in September 2024
Spread the love

The Federal Government has issued a forecast of five days of heavy rainfall, which could lead to flooding in 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), starting today, October 14, 2024, and ending on October 18, 2024.

The prediction was made by the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre under the Federal Ministry of Environment in a statement released on Monday.

Communities living along the flood plains of Rivers Donga, Benue, and Ogun have been advised to evacuate immediately due to increasing water levels, which could lead to severe flooding.

Affected Areas.

The following states and their surroundings are predicted to experience rainfall that may result in flooding:

1. Osun State: Ede, Ile-Ife, Ilesa, Osogbo

2. Delta State: Escravos
3. Cross River State: Ikon
4. Taraba State: Donga, Ibi, Wukari, Bandawa, Beli, Bolleri, Dampar, Duchi, Garkowa, Gassol, Gungun Bodel, Kambari, Kwata Kanawa, Lau, Mayo Ranewo, Mutum Biyu, Ngaruwa, Serti, Yorro
5. Nasarawa State: Rukubi
6. Kebab State: Argungu, Birnin-Kebbi, Gwandu, Kalgo, Ribah, Sakaba, Yelwa
7. Gombe State: Bajoga
8. Katsina State: Bakori, Funtua
9. Borno State: Biu, Briyel
10. Kaduna State: Birnin-Gwari, Buruku, Kaduna, Jaji

11. Niger State: Bida, Kontagora, Lapai, Lavun, Magama, Mashegu, Mokwa, New Bussa, Rijau, Sarkin Pawa, Suleja, Wushishi
12. Yobe State: Dapchi
13. Adamawa State: Demsa, Farkumo, Ganye, Gbajili, Jimeta, Mayo-Belwa, Mubi, Natubi, Numan, Song, Shelleng, Wuro Bokki
14. Kogi State: Ibaji, Omala
15. Kwara State: Jebba, Kosubosu
16. ⁠16. Bauchi State: Kari, Tafawa Balewa, Kirfi
17. Plateau State: Shendam
18. FCT: Kubwa, Gwagwalada, Bwari 19. Kano State: Sumaila
20. Oyo State: Kishi 21. Sokoto State: Silame
22. Zamfara State: Majara Advisory.

Advertisement

The government has urged residents in these areas to take precautionary measures and remain alert.

SEE ALSO:  FG approves Dangote refinery as sole supplier of jet fuel to Nigerian airlines

The forecast highlights the potential for flash floods, particularly in vulnerable communities.

Residents are encouraged to monitor updates from local authorities and evacuate if necessary.

The Ministry of Environment and disaster management agencies are collaborating with state governments to prepare for emergency responses.

Advertisements
Continue Reading

News

Nigeria in darkness as national grid collapses again

Published

on

Spread the love

The national electricity grid has collapsed again throwing the country into darkness.

The grid collapsed at about 6:18 pm on Monday, leaving Nigerians in darkness.

Reports said the power generation dropped from 3.87 gigawatts at 5 pm to 3.56GW at 6 pm and 0.00GW at 7 pm and 8 pm.

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company confirmed the grid collapse in a statement on Monday evening.

The EEDC informed its customers “of a general system collapse that occurred at 18:48 hours today, 14th October 2024,” saying this has resulted in the loss of supply currently being experienced across the EEDC network.

“Consequently, due to this development, all our interface TCN stations are out of supply, and we are unable to provide services to our customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States.

“We are on standby awaiting detailed information of the collapse and restoration of supply from the National Control Centre (NCC), Osogbo,” the EEDC stated in the statement signed by the Head of Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh.

EEDC distributes power to the five South East states.

Advertisement

Also, the Abuja Disco confirmed the grid collapse in a statement Monday night.

“Dear Valued Customer, Please be informed that the power outage being experienced is due to a system failure from the national grid at 6:58 pm today, affecting the power supply to our franchise areas.

“Rest assured, we are working with the relevant stakeholders to restore power as soon as the grid is stabilised. Thank you for your understanding,” the company said.

Advertisements
SEE ALSO:  Tinubu directs IGP to restore peace, security in Rivers
Continue Reading

Trending