Have You Written A WILL Yet?!

We all insure our phones, insure our cars, insure our health. But the one thing that holds everything together - our assets - is what most people never protect.

We work hard to build a future, but we rarely pause to ask: “What happens to everything I built after I’m gone?”

Just like wearing a seatbelt, it doesn’t mean you expect an accident, but wear it in case anything happens. Similarly, writing a Will doesn’t mean anything bad is going to happen - it simply means you’re responsible. And that’s why Will becomes your best friend.

What Exactly Is a Will?

A Will is basically your final instruction manual. It tells your family:

“This is what I own.”
“This is who should get it.”
“And this is the person I trust to handle it.”

Confusion-free. Dispute-free. Drama-free.

But here’s the shocking part - Most families don’t write a Will because they assume:

“All my assets are in my name. After I pass away, they automatically go to my family.”

❌ No. They don’t.

Without a Will:

Banks freeze accounts
Property transfers get stuck
Multiple legal heirs may claim the same asset
Family members end up in emotional and legal battles
It may take months or even years to access what is rightfully theirs

But there is a major misconception I keep hearing that “only the wealthy or people with huge properties need to write a Will”. This is completely untrue!

Anyone can (and absolutely should) prepare a Will, because anything you own has value. It could be your bank accounts, even small savings or investments, mutual funds, jewellery, gold, property, or money you’ve lent someone. It could also be your social media accounts, cloud storage, important passwords, email access, online subscriptions. Literally anything that holds value in your life. If it matters to you, it deserves a place in your Will.

Also, most families don’t realise this, but a Will does more than just distribute wealth. It also helps your family access unclaimed money you may have forgotten about. Across India, thousands of crores lie untouched in old bank accounts, FDs, PF accounts, demat accounts, unpaid insurance and small investments. When someone passes without a Will, families often don’t even know these exist, and even if they do, accessing them becomes a long, draining, almost impossible process. A Will becomes a map, telling your family exactly what exists and where it is - saving them months or years of running behind banks, courts and government offices.

A Will is simply your voice when you are not around.

Let’s take two very known personalities - Ratan Tata and Gautam Singhania. I’m sure everyone knows them and can relate to their stories.

Ratan Tata is admired not just for his success, but for his discipline and clarity. Everything he owns - his trusts, foundations, and personal assets are properly planned, structured, and protected. There’s no confusion, no uncertainty, and definitely no scope for disputes. His legacy is safe, exactly the way he wants it to be.
That’s the power of having a Will and a clear plan.

Now look at the story of Gautam Singhania and his father, Vijaypat Singhania. Vijaypat, with full trust and emotion, handed the entire Raymond empire to his son believing he would take care of both the business and his father. But things turned bitter. Their relationship collapsed, and the matter spilled into a major public dispute over property, ownership, and rights.

This could have been avoided if Vijaypat Singhania had a properly written, well-structured Will, with clear distribution of assets, responsibilities, and expectations.

Two famous names. Two different outcomes. All because one had clarity, and one believed blindly.

The difference is HUGE! This is why a Will is not just a document - it is your voice, your clarity, your protection, long after you're gone.

Most Simple and Easiest Way of Writing a Will

Start Writing: The Clarity Commitment

Don't worry about legal jargon right away. Think of this as a detailed letter to your family. Use clean and simple language to state your wishes. Your goal is to eliminate any chance of misinterpretation.

List ALL Assets: Everything YOU Own

This isn't just about big items. List every detail. Create a detailed schedule that covers:

Real estate (homes, land), gold/jewelry, vehicles, valuable art.
Financial Accounts: Bank accounts, Fixed Deposits (FDs), Mutual Funds, Stocks/Bonds.
Digital: Cryptocurrency (specify exchange/wallet), NFTs, domain names, valuable social media accounts.
Have a secure, sealed document containing essential passwords and access keys (stored separately and securely, and referred to in the will).
Liabilities: List all outstanding loans, mortgages, and debts. (Your estate must settle these first)

Name Your Beneficiaries: Who Gets What

Clearly specify who gets what percentage or specific item. Always name both the primary beneficiary and a contingent beneficiary (who gets the asset if the primary person passes away before you).

Be precise: Use their full legal names.
If you have minor children: This is where you would name a guardian for them. (one of the most crucial decisions in the entire document)

Appoint an Executor: The Trusted Steward

The Executor is the person legally responsible for carrying out your wishes. This is a demanding job that requires integrity, time, and sound judgment. Choose someone trustworthy, organized, and financially capable who is willing to take on the responsibility. It is wise to name a substitute executor in case your primary choice is unable or unwilling to serve when the time comes.

Additional Advice to you: Talk to your chosen executor before finalizing your will to ensure they understand and accept the role.

Add Two Witnesses: Legal Validation

To be legally valid, your will must be signed in the presence of at least two adult witnesses.

The witnesses cannot be beneficiaries or the spouse/civil partner of a beneficiary. This maintains the impartiality and validity of the signing process.
All three (you and the two witnesses) must be present together and watch each other sign the document.

If Unwell/Elderly: Certificate of Mental Fitness

If you are elderly, undergoing a serious medical procedure, or facing a health challenge, it is a powerful step to attach a 'Certificate of Mental Fitness' or a similar note from a registered doctor. This document officially states that you are of "sound mind" and fully understand the nature and consequences of the will you are signing.

Store the Will Safely: The Secure Storage

A perfect will is useless if it can't be found. Store the original, signed document in a secure place like a fireproof safe, a bank locker, or with your attorney but your executor and a trusted family member MUST know exactly where the original document is kept and how to access it upon your passing.

Registering your will with the relevant government authority (A Sub-Registrar's office in India) adds significant legal strength, makes it tamper-proof, and ensures its existence and location are officially recorded, making it much harder to challenge or dispute later.

Your Will must be updated regularly.

The assets you have in your late 20s are very different from what you’ll have in your 30s, 40s, or 50s. Your income grows, responsibilities shift, your family expands and your investments multiply. A Will isn’t something you write once and forget - it should be part of your life.

If You’re Still Confused Whether You Need a Will

Then ask yourself this: You didn’t work hard your whole life - earning, saving, investing, hustling just to leave your family in confusion. Your success story doesn’t end with wealth creation. It ends with wealth protection.

If you’re ambitious, keep achieving. But also understand that your family is counting on your planning.

✨ If you’ve spent your life building wealth, assets, memories, and security. Make sure your family doesn’t struggle to understand what you want - Write a Will TODAY! ✨

If you are confused or not sure how to write a Will - comment “Will” or directly reach out to me for proper guidance. I’m happy to even share a simple template to help you get started.

Akash Neelakantan Salvady

Wealth Manager at Infiniti Financial Services

Have You Written A WILL Yet?!