Recently, a client approached us with an intriguing question: “Can my Will be written in Mandarin?” She mentioned that a friend had drafted her Will in Mandarin and was curious if this was legally valid in Malaysia. Inspired by her friend’s experience, she was considering doing the same but wanted to ensure it wouldn’t cause any issues later.
Is a Mandarin Will Valid in Malaysia?
Under Malaysian law, the creation and execution of Wills are governed by the Wills Act 1959. Interestingly, the Act does not specify any particular language for drafting a Will. This means that a Will can be written in any language, including Mandarin. However, it’s important to note that the Will must be signed by the Testator and witnessed by two individuals who are present at the same time.
Practical Considerations for a Mandarin Will
While drafting a Will in Mandarin is legally permissible but not encouraged, there are several practical considerations that you should keep in mind:
-
Court Proceedings:
If the Will is written in Mandarin and needs to be presented in court for a grant of probate, it must be translated into English. While the original Mandarin Will remains valid, an accurate translation is essential to ensure that the court correctly understands your intentions. This translation must be verified by the affidavit of a qualified translator and must be attached to the application for the Grant of Probate. Taking this step helps to prevent any potential legal complications or delays during the probate process.
-
Clarity and Accuracy:
It’s essential that the Mandarin Will clearly reflects your intentions. Any ambiguity in the wording could lead to misunderstandings or disputes among your beneficiaries, potentially complicating the probate process.
What If I Really Do Not Read and Understand English?
We encourage the will to be translated and read to the Testator before signing, preferably by the estate planner who prepared the Will. This ensures that the translation is transparent and accurate.
Why Professional Assistance is Crucial?
-
Expert Guidance:
Drafting a Will in English with our professional advice ensures compliance with legal standards and clear communication of your wishes. A professionally drafted Will minimizes the risk of disputes and ensures that your estate is distributed according to your intentions.
-
Avoiding Pitfalls:
Writing a Will on your own, especially in a language that may not be widely understood by all involved parties, could lead to significant complications. With professional assistance, you can avoid these pitfalls and ensure your Will is watertight.
At FINEX & CO, while we do not draft Wills in Mandarin, we are committed to ensuring that your Will is clear, compliant, and accurately reflects your intentions.
You may make an appointment with our legal advisor here:
https://calendly.com/finex-and-co-legacy-advisory/tea-talk-with-legal-expert
我的遗嘱可以用华文写吗？
最近有个客户问了我们一个很有意思的问题：“我的遗嘱可以用中文写吗？”她说她有个朋友就是用中文写的遗嘱，所以她也想试试看，但是又担心这样做会不会有问题。
华文遗嘱在马来西亚有效吗？
在马来西亚，一份有效的遗嘱是根据1959年的遗嘱法来撰写的。这个法律没有规定遗嘱必须用什么语言写，所以你可以用任何语言写，包括华文。但是这份遗嘱必须由立遗嘱人签名，而且签名时要有两名见证人在场。
用华文写遗嘱时需要注意的
用华文写遗嘱虽然在法律上是可以的，但其实我们不太建议这样做。还是有一些实际问题你需要考虑的：
-
法律程序：
如果你的遗嘱是用中文写的，需要向法院申请遗嘱认证（Grant of Probate），那就必须要把遗嘱翻译成英文。虽然中文原版依然有效，但要确保法院能准确理解你的意愿，翻译必须非常准确。而且这个翻译要由合资格的翻译员提供宣誓书，附在申请文件 (affidavit) 里。这一步可以帮你避免在法院程序中出现任何法律问题或拖延。
-
清晰和准确：
遗嘱一定要写得清楚明白。如果遗嘱里的用词不清楚，可能会让继承人误会，甚至引起争执，搞得整个程序更麻烦。
如果我真的不懂英文怎么办？
我们建议在签名之前，由准备这份遗嘱的资产规划师口述翻译成华文解释清楚这一份遗嘱的内容。这样可以确保翻译过程透明，内容也符合立遗嘱者的意愿。
为什么要找专业人士帮忙？
-
专家建议：
在我们的专业建议下，用英文立遗嘱不只符合法律标准，也能清楚表达你的意愿。这样一来，你的遗嘱更有保障，不容易引发争议，能确保你的财产按你的意愿分配。
-
避免麻烦：
自己写遗嘱，尤其是用一种可能不是所有人都能明白的语言，可能会带来很多麻烦。但如果有专业人士帮忙，你就能避免这些问题，确保你的遗嘱合法有效
在FINEX & CO，虽然我们不提供用华文写遗嘱的服务，但我们会确保你的遗嘱内容清晰合法，完全符合你的意愿。
