Image: De Varona Law
By Staycey Yalo – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Papua New Guineans have been urged to write their wills to ensure their families benefit, in the event that they pass on.
Public Curator, Jacob Popuna, made the appeal after cases of deceased persons without wills has been causing difficulties for his office to equally distribute assets to beneficiaries.
It is a real challenge at the public curator’s office when it comes to dealing with beneficiaries of deceased persons involved a polygamous lifestyle.
According to the Law, the widow gets 1/3 of what has been left behind by the deceased, while the children/child takes the remaining 2/3rds.
However, the increasing lifestyle of Papua New Guineans to engage in polygamy marriages often forces the Curator’s office to reach a compromise.
Popuna explains that writing a will makes it easier for his office to establish and give beneficiaries what they are entitled too.
Often times, 3rd parties involving the deceased’s relatives have caused issues as well. The Public Curator also encouraged lawyers to document wills of their client as verbal wills cannot be considered.
He said there are regional offices established and people should not give excuses to get a copy of the will forms.
Momase Region has their office in Lae, New Guinea Islands in Rabaul, Highlands in Mt Hagen and the Southern Region and NCD located at 4mile, here in Port Moresby.
