The Hindu Business Line : Where there's a will...

OLD people are generally anxious. But after reading the newspapers over the last week, they've become more restless. And so they're sitting for longer hours in park benches and tossing in bed, muttering `will,' `no' and so on. They've been sending in nervous mails too, so here's some help.

Will I make a can?

I understand your question. You want to ask, "Can I make a will?" The answer is yes. You can make a can, er... will.

I'm too weak-willed. But I want to make a strong will.

It's possible. Only don't make the will during a moment of weakness. And once you make the will, it can be put in the strong room.

On second thoughts I feel like keeping all the property to myself.

In that case, your will may not serve any purpose. There must be some property that is being given to others after the death. This is called disposition, even if you are indisposed.

How is testator related to prostate?

Testate means `having made a valid will,' from the Latin word testatus, past participle of testari to make a will, as Dictionary.com explains. Prostate, meaning that gland, is from Greek word proïstanai, to set before, that is, pro-, in front; plus histanai, to set, place. The only connection I see is that both are concerns of growing old.

Is it possible to ensure that my will prevails?

A tough question because after you're gone the will has to do the talking. You may not be around to clarify and interpret.

I've drawn a will. I'm too eager to test it out!

What you have in mind is something like a fire drill or RD parade rehearsal. If you are too keen, you may have to play dead and see what everybody does.

All my people are milling round me. Do I tell them the truth?

You better not reveal your mind, in your own interest. You can enjoy all the attention that everybody showers on you, thinking that you would name them in your will. If you make known the contents of your will, a good majority of them may willy-nilly vanish.

Anything that I should remember when making a will?

Plenty. Use simple language. Mention that you're making the will voluntarily and out of free will, assuming nobody is holding a knife at your throat. Specify clearly the identity of the property being bequeathed, otherwise people will go and ask for somebody else's place. Also be clear about the identity of the beneficiary, rather than writing, `the doctor in white coat who visited me in the hospital.' Property that is bequeathed in the will must be legally yours, so normally you can't include Taj Mahal, for example, as one of the items in the will. Don't leave any blank spaces in the will, you-know-why.

Will the will add to my goodwill?

Tough question, because after one's death, what becomes more important than your goodwill is the property that is left behind, causing its own string of problems and squabbles among the living. Normally, the dead don't come back; else they may like to revisit their wills.

SayCheek@TheHindu.co.in