Information on Last Will & Testament please.

[13roman58]

I have read, somewhere on this forum I believe, a complete guide how to make a will without using a solicitor. By putting key words into this forum's search engine I am unable to find it. Can anyone help?

[genghis]

Hi, there's some useful info including a will form that you can download on the BRS website.

[13roman58]

Thanks for that info

[the butlers wife]

I personally would not trust these forms, when making a will one needs to be very specific here in the TRNC. All wills need to be stamped by a notary, sealed and lodged with the court. Please make sure you go to the notary and the court when this happens.

I have just heard of a case where this did not take place, with disastrous consequences for the bereaved widow.


The butlers wife

[£eagle]

I do not think that the information given by the Butler's Wife is completely correct.
A Cypriot Will is valid only if properly executed by the testator in the presence of 2 witnesses who countersign the Will. All pages need initialing. The intervention of a notary is not required.
It is not necessary to file the Will at the Court registry although it is probably a good idea as the formalities of execution of the Will will be checked. It is better to find out about any errors now rather than after your death.
Ex-pats making wills are not restricted in the same way as Cypriots. Care needs to be taken when preparing a Will especially for those ex-pats who remain inside the UK Inheritance Tax net - which is virtually everyone who retains a UK connection, such as a house or even registration with a UK doctor!

The £eagle

[karakumc5]

I agree with the Butlers wife

People come too Cyprus and do things they would never do back home, buy houses and check nothing the sun seems to adle their brains

Invest your life savings in a villa/apartment and save a few pounds on a proper will

When it all goes wrong then moan about how the system is all against us

If you wouldnt do it in the UK why do it here

[cyprusishome]

There is nothing wrong with a pro forma will, in fact you can do them in the UK. As long as the correct procedures are followed ie having 2 independent witnesses and lodge it with the registrar at the courts. We have done ours this way, the will is sealed and signed by the registrar and stored in the court office. If the will is not lodged with the registrar then there will be a problem of legitimacy. You DO NOT need to have a notary sign the will.

It is not a case of saving money it is just finding a simple route if your will is of a simple nature with one or two beneficiaries and the estate shared equally. If you need to make specific bequests then a more formal will needs to be drawn up with the help of a notar or solicitor.

There is nothing wrong with the system here, may not always what we are used to so just make sure you take proper advice and make your will bullet proof.

[guru]

Can the two independent witnesses be husband and wife or do they also have to be independent of each other?
Whereabouts is the court?
Do you need an appointment or can you just turn up?
Do the witnesses need to be with you at the court?

I have a copy of the will pro-forma, but if someone could post the whole process in idiot form I'm sure it will help a lot like us who need to do it but keep putting it off 'til next time.

[Owl Lady]

My husband passed away last year,we had both made a will here.We left everything to each other and then to family and friends etc.It was not deposited with the court as our solicitor said it was not necessary.The only problem was the car,I do not drive and the log book was in my husbands name only.Because of this I was unable to sell it until after probate,which was quite quick for Cyprus,8 months.I would advise anyone to get both names put on the log book asap.regardless of whether you drive or not.The cost of the wills was about £100 I can't remember exactly.