Most people assume that wills are only for the elderly or the terminally ill. In reality, no matter your age, marital status, or health, if you own assets or have loved ones you want to protect, you should plan your will sooner rather than later. Here are five common scenarios that might apply to you and why now is the perfect time to get started.
1. You Just Landed Your First Job and First Paycheck
Why it matters:
As soon as you buy your first car, your first home, or start investing, those assets become part of your estate. Without a will, the Distribution Act 1958 governs how your estate is distributed, often sending everything to statutory heirs like your parents or siblings, rather than the people you would have chosen.
Solution:
Engage a professional estate planner to draft a clear, legally binding will. They’ll help you list your assets, name beneficiaries, and specify exactly how you want everything distributed.
2. You’re a New Parent
Why it matters:
Minor children cannot legally inherit or manage assets. If both parents pass away without a will, a court-appointed guardian takes over and access to funds may be delayed until probate is granted. These delays can jeopardize your child’s healthcare, education, and daily welfare during a critical time.
Solution:
In your will, you can name a trusted guardian for your minor children and set up a Testamentary Trust to include detailed instructions on how funds should be used for education, medical needs and monthly maintenance.
You may refer to How can a Testamentary Trust secure your children’s future better than a simple Will?
3. You’re a Homeowner
Why it matters:
If you co-own a property with your spouse or family member but pass away without a will, your share will fall under the Distribution Act 1958. Even if jointly owned, your portion could end up divided among your spouse, children, and parents which could lead to confusion or disputes over ownership.
Solution:
Create a will to specify who should inherit your share of any jointly owned property. This minimizes potential disputes and ensures the right people receive the correct share.
4. You Own Business Shares
Why it matters:
If you own shares in a private limited company (Sdn Bhd), it’s not as straightforward as passing down property or cash. Your family cannot instantly take over your shares. Without clear planning, they may be left holding shares they can’t sell or manage. Meanwhile, your business partners may not want family involvement but have no agreement in place for a buyout which could lead to disputes or business disruptions.
Solution:
Set up a buy-sell arrangement between you and the other shareholders that clearly states:
- Who can buy over your shares if you pass away;
- How the share value will be calculated;
- Whether insurance can be used to fund the buyout (so your family gets paid without burdening the company).
A buy-sell agreement ensures that your business transition is smooth and that your family receives fair compensation quickly.
However, your will is still essential. While the buy-sell arrangement governs the company’s internal process, your will legally names who inherits your shares. This prevents confusion among family members and ensures that your wishes are honored without dispute.
Many people delay writing a will, assuming it’s only necessary when they’re older or ill. But as these common life scenarios show, planning should evolve as your life does.
Having a will isn’t just about “who gets what.” It’s about protecting your loved ones during a difficult time, preventing disputes, and making sure your hard-earned assets are passed on exactly as you intend.
You may make an appointment with our legal advisor here: https://calendly.com/finex-and-co-legacy-advisory/tea-talk-with-legal-expert
你以为自己还不需要立遗嘱？ 这4个关键时刻让你是时候考虑写遗嘱了
很多人以为，立遗嘱是退休前、或年纪大了才要考虑的事。但其实，只要你已经有收入、资产、或家人依赖你，那就是开始规划的最佳时机。以下几个生活场景，可能就是你现在的状态，也说明了为什么早点立好遗嘱，真的很重要。
1. 你刚踏入职场，领到人生第一份薪水
为什么要重视？
你开始买车、投资、或者存头期买房，这些都已经是你的“资产”。
如果突然发生意外，而你还没立遗嘱，法律会按照1958年的分配法令来分配你的资产，可能会全给父母或兄弟姐妹，不一定是你最想照顾的人。
解决方式：
找专业的遗产规划顾问，帮你列出资产、指定受益人、写好一份合法有效的遗嘱。简单明了，没有猜测，也不给家人留下麻烦。
2. 你成为新手爸妈
为什么要重视？
孩子还小，不能直接继承资产。如果父母双亡又没有遗嘱，孩子的监护人必须由法庭来决定，而且你的家人可能需要更长的时间才能冻结你的资产。有些家庭因为这样的原因，导致孩子的教育费，生活费和医疗费用被耽误。
解决方式：
在遗嘱中，你可以指定信任的监护人，同时也可以设立遗嘱信托（Testamentary Trust），指明资产如何使用，例如：教育费、医药费、生活费等。
想了解更多信托如何保障孩子，请看：《如何通过遗嘱信托更好地保障孩子的未来？》
3. 你买了房产
为什么要重视？
假设你和你的另一半联名买房子，但如果你没有遗嘱而你又先离开，你的那一半产权可能要分给配偶、孩子，甚至父母。到时就会导致大家对产权混乱，会让另一半和家人之间产生纠纷。
解决方式：
立一份清楚写明房产分配的遗嘱，指定谁继承你的产权，避免未来争执，也能确保真正“留给你想留的人”。
4. 你拥有私人公司股份
为什么要重视？
私人公司（Sdn Bhd）的股份不像房子、存款，不能直接交给家人。如果你去世了，没有清楚安排，你的家人可能会拿着股份，却无法操作、也没人收购；而你的合伙人也可能不想让你家人继续参与公司，结果陷入拉锯战，影响公司运作。
解决方式：
和股东签订企业买卖协议（Buy-Sell Arrangement），清楚写明：
- 万一你离世，谁能买下你的股份；
- 股份如何估值；
- 是否透过保险金支付（让公司不必拿出现金，家人也能顺利拿到合理赔偿）。
企业买卖协议可以确保公司顺利交接，也能让你的家人尽快拿到合理的赔偿。
不过，遗嘱还是非常重要的。买卖协议主要是写明公司内部怎么处理股份，但遗嘱才是真正法律上指定股份由谁继承。有了遗嘱，就能避免家人之间因为股份分配而起纠纷，真正按照你的意愿去执行。
很多人总说：“等我有空再来处理。”但意外和变化从不等人。
立遗嘱，并不是在想“死后的事”，而是为活着的人，预先做好安排。
