WOMEN are lax when it comes to taking care of their legal affairs and so end up suffering the consequences.

WOMEN are lax when it comes to taking care of their legal affairs and so end up suffering the consequences.

Many of them hardly think about what could happen to their houses, car, money or other possessions should they die unexpectedly. Drafting a will is the furthest thing from their minds.

Nthabiseng Monareng, a Joburg family law consultant, says many people, especially women, believe that a will is for people who are rich.

"This is far from the truth," Monareng says. "Anyone with assets can and should make a will."

She says an increasing number of family disputes, in which many people are cheated out of their inheritance, has made it necessary for everyone to draw up a will.

"This is to ensure that assets are protected and that opportunists do not take what does not belong to them.

"Wills are important to avoid conflicts between family members. They help to give direction to what should happen to assets. They also give families peace of mind should you die unexpectedly," Monareng says.

She says in terms of South African law a person can inherit testate succession, that is when a will has been drawn up, and intestate, when no will was was made .

Monareng will hold sessions aimed at educating women about wills and encouraging them to draw up the legal documents.

For R200 Monareng will assist women to draft wills and to secure copies. Contact 083-674-8236 or safmily.law@gmail.com