A client recently asked us, “My father recently recorded a video outlining how he wishes to distribute his estate among the family. Can this video be recognized as a valid will?”
In today’s digital era, such questions have become increasingly common. However, estate distribution involves more than expressing personal wishes—it must adhere to legal requirements. In Malaysia, the Wills Act 1959 sets out specific conditions that must be met for a will to be considered valid.
Requirements for a Valid Will Under the Wills Act 1959:
- The Will Must Be in Writing.
A valid will must be in written form. This can include typed or handwritten documents, but verbal or video-recorded wills are not recognized under Malaysian law.
- It Must Be Signed by the Testator.
The testator must physically sign the will. This signature is essential to demonstrate their consent and intent.
- It Must Be Witnessed by Two People.
The testator’s signature must be witnessed by at least two individuals present simultaneously, who must also sign the will.
- The Testator Must Be of Sound Mind.
The testator must be mentally capable of understanding the will’s contents and the consequences of their instructions.
Is a Video Considered a Valid Will?
Under Malaysian law, a video recording is not recognized as a valid will. While it may provide evidence of the testator’s intentions, it fails to meet the formal requirements outlined in the Wills Act 1959. In the absence of a written document signed and witnessed as required by law, the courts are unlikely to consider the video legally binding.
To ensure your estate are distributed according to your wishes, it’s crucial to prepare a legally valid will. Here are some steps you can take:
- Draft a Written Will
Make sure it’s written, signed, and witnessed according to the Wills Act 1959.
- Include Video as a Supplement (Optional)
While the video cannot replace a written will, it can be recorded to explain your intentions. This might help clarify your wishes to your beneficiaries and avoid potential disputes.
- Appoint a Reliable Executor
Choose someone you trust to carry out your instructions. If you’re unsure, consider appointing a professional executor like Amanah Raya Berhad.
- Get Legal Advice
Don’t rely on assumptions or hearsay—speak to an estate planner who can guide you through the process.
By following these steps, you can minimize legal complications and ensure that your wishes are fulfilled after your passing.
You may make an appointment with our legal advisor here: https://calendly.com/finex-and-co-legacy-advisory/tea-talk-with-legalexpert
我可以通过录影的方式分配资产吗？
最近有位客户问我们：“我父亲录了一段视频，说明他希望如何分配自己的资产。这段视频可以算是一份有效的遗嘱吗？”
在现代社会，这种情况越来越常见。但是资产分配不只是讲清楚自己的意思，还得符合法律的要求。在马来西亚，《1959年遗嘱法令》(Wills Act 1959) 说明了一份合法的遗嘱需要满足的条件。
根据《1959年遗嘱法令》，一份有效的遗嘱需要什么条件？
- 遗嘱必须是书面形式
一份有效的遗嘱必须是以书面形式存在，不管是打印还是手写的都可以。但是口头讲的，或者录个视频，是不被法律承认的。
- 立遗嘱人(Testator)需要亲自签名
遗嘱必须由立遗嘱人亲自签名。这是为了证明立遗嘱人同意遗嘱的内容，并确认这是他们的意愿。
- 需要两位见证人 (Witness) 同时签名
签遗嘱的时候，两位见证人必须同时在场，而且他们也要在遗嘱上签名。
- 立遗嘱人必须有清晰的意识
立遗嘱人在签署遗嘱时，必须有清楚的判断能力，知道遗嘱的内容和后果。
那视频可以当遗嘱用吗？
很遗憾的是，根据马来西亚法律，视频遗嘱是无效的。虽然视频可以表达立遗嘱人的想法，但它不符合《1959年遗嘱法令》的要求。如果没有按照法律的要求，法庭一般不会承认这样的视频遗嘱。
如果你想确保自己的财产可以按照你的意思分配，以下是一些建议：
- 先写一份遗嘱
一定要有书面的遗嘱，而且要符合《1959年遗嘱法令》的要求，比如签名的时候一定要在有两位见证人在场。
- 可以选择录影解释遗嘱内容作为补充
主要还是要有书面遗嘱，但觉得有需要的话，可以录个视频解释你的想法，当个额外的说明。
- 选一个靠谱的执行人
找个你信任的人来执行你的遗嘱。如果真的不知道选谁，Amanah Raya Berhad这种专业机构也是个不错的选择。
- 咨询专业意见
不要靠自己猜或者听别人说，最好找专业的遗产规划师，他们会给你更准确的建议。
通过以上步骤，你可以避免法律上的麻烦，并确保你的意愿在您离世后得到完全的执行。
