I was intrigued whilst listening to a radio programme with a guest legal speaker specialising in WILLS. I started thinking,that no one in my immediate family have ever made and left a written will on departure from this green earthly pasture of toils sweat tears inclusive of laughter and joys. Our family is not fragmented and there is a sense of civility amongst us siblings - the 'lands' are classified as 'family land', and the 'house' as 'family house', that's the oral 'will' of the family to date.

The speaker spoke about children from past and present relationships, some included in a written and signed Will some excluded, but, stated that if you are left out or omitted from a valid signed and dated family WILL, for whatever reasons, one have the right to ask to see a copy of the WILL, and of course, one have a right to contest the WILL.

I recall one young adult was orally told by her stepfather, that her mother left her nothing in the WILL - she accepted her lot. But after the mourning period, she asked to see a copy of the WILL, after a duration of time and perpetual asking to see the will, with nothing forthcoming from step father end of the woods, she contacted a solicitor. The WILL showed that her mother wanted her daughter to have half of her estate.

Down my timeline, I have experience of a man who died leaving a signed and updated will in the hands of his solicitor until his death, in the will contents he named his eldest daughter as chief executive of his estate and left the bulk of his inheritance to her, because she looked after him, the other siblings were informed of his actions by their father based on the other children unwillingness to participate in his care based on them prioritising their immediate family needs. Based on the father's decision, the other children took a dislike to him 'showing favouritism' and boy oh boy, it all headed for the Court of Law decision as soon as the grave soil was placed in the grave. The animosity that followed resulted in no communication between the siblings up to this day.

A friend told me about a woman who died, and the family found numerous copies of wills signed and dated by the woman, of course the last dated and signed WILL, was considered by the executor of the will to be valid, but some siblings names were not included (due to fall out or non attendance for family functions)in the updated will, but in the other three wills, for example, one niece named was not in the first will, omitted in the next two wills, and then her name reinserted in the last and final will - boy oh boy, Praise God for the Court of Law in its ability to sort this 'sibling rivalry' as to the rejection of the final will in favour of the will that have their names on it, or change amounts of financial funds.

So, a question, is there a way where there is a WILL or is there a WILL where there is a way? It seems that at times whether a will is made or not, the battle for 'fairness' continues amidst the siblings or family relatives; or do 'some' departing folks take delight in ensuring that sibling rivalry/family war continues in the silence of their grave.... on that note, I am willing to imitate, King David the psalmist, and say, Yea thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I WILL fear no evil...

I hereby nominate you for the TALKSHOP person of the year since the passing of DNJ.
What happened to Baga, Paulita, etc?
It appears that mother England is holding the fort.

Grenadaman or( should it be Grenadaperson, I perceived that you know how very particular 'Mother' is in ensuring that gender issues are adhered to at all times in our society today, I believe it is 'Mothers' way of atoning for her sins and her very poor treatment to us colonial siblings, of course, we deserve treatment of nothing short of par excellence.

Hence, I am deeply honoured by your kind gesture of an award, 'Mother' likes dishing out awards, (so, I can see you are a step offspring of 'Mother'). However, due to Mothers' perplexed and erratic behaviour at times, I am quite wary of awards of any kind, as 'Mother' expects a prospering degree of humility at all times, and expects us to keep our awards under cover, only using the award for benefits that will see her, ie 'Mother' in a very good or exemplary light for all the nations.

On the contrary, Grenadaperson, once again, I thank you for your kind gesture of goodwill.

You are most welcome Dame.