Dear Reader,

It’s rapidly approaching that time of the year when we all ask, “Where did the year go”? While we at Appleton will be celebrating the festive season too, as The Fiduciary Specialists, our first responsibility is to our clients.

At this time of the year, I want to take this opportunity to urge you to make a quick (but important) fiduciary checklist before you close down for the year, go on holiday or simply put your feet up for a well-deserved break.

You will read in this edition of the Appleton Times, that we walk you through the importance of creating a life file and you will also be able to view a couple of videos we have produced on this topic on the Orion Wealth Managers YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2ld4acLul4

Secondly, please just take a few minutes to sit and review your Will to see that it is up to date and reflects your current circumstances and wishes.

Updating your Will regularly is a vital exercise to ensure your own peace of mind and that of your heirs and loved ones. The exercise should not take long, is provided at no cost by Appleton and your updated Will will be stored safely, again at no cost to you.

There are five reasons to update your Will and to review this vital document regularly:

1. Any change in marital status requires a change in your Will. Please check your marriage contract, (community of property, ante-nuptial contract, with or without accrual, or if you are married under Sharia for example).
2. Any change to your family such as the birth of a child, or grandchild that you wish to cater for in your letter of wishes. Bear in mind too, that a testamentary trust may be desirable or required.
3. Any change in your asset base, such as the purchase or sale of a property, or a life right, or a share portfolio for example.
4.  Any change in your professional life, such as the investment in, or disinvestment from, a business.
5.  Finally, your heirs’ needs may change over time and thus you may wish to change your letter of wishes to cater for these new needs and circumstances.

So, please take the time to review your Will before the holidays and contact your Wealth Specialist or Financial Advisor to provide you with estate planning peace of mind for you and your family.

Finally, before signing off for the year, in this, the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of the Spirit Foundation (https://spiritf.org/), I would invite you to have a look at our website to see some of the wonderful work we do in scholar education, community upliftment and wildlife conversation.

If you feel you would like to be part of this wonderful work, please consider signing a special bequest to the Spirit Foundation in your Will application or Will update form and make a material contribution to making South Africa a better country for all.

Now all that remains is for me to wish you, your family and loved ones a special, happy and healthy festive season and please take care out there!

Yours sincerely,