Teneisha Johnson

Recently I acquired more information regarding making a valid will in the Cayman Islands.

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The execution requirements for making a valid will in the Cayman Islands are set out in the Wills Law (2004 Revision).

 

It is also a requirement of Cayman Islands law that a testator must have testamentary capacity at the time of creating his or her will.

 

The test for testamentary capacity, known as the “golden rule,” was first explained in the English case of Banks v Goodfellow and it remains good law in the Cayman Islands today. Here are the facts:

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(a) Does the testator understand the nature and effect of what he/she is doing;

 

(b) Is he/she aware, broadly, of the extent of his/her estate;

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(c) Does he/she appreciate the claims of those who might reasonably expect to benefit from his/her estate; and

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(d) In considering (c), is there any disorder of the mind or insane delusion that will influence the disposition of his/her property or poison his/her affections such that he/she would make a disposition of property that he/she would not otherwise have made.

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In summary, the Wills Law provides that a will must be in writing; it must be signed by the testator or by some other person in his/her presence, at his/her direction.

 

If the latter, the testator must acknowledge such signature in the presence of two witnesses present at the same time.

 

If the former, the testator’s signature must be attested to by two witnesses present at the same time in his/her presence.

 

Subject to only two exceptions for soldiers and sailors on active service, the execution requirements must be complied with; if not, it will be invalid.

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Cayman Islands law does not, as a general principle, permit holographic wills.

 

Holographic wills are documents that are usually handwritten and do not comply with the strict requirements for proper execution as a will but have nevertheless been written as testamentary documents, often in extreme circumstances.

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The most famous holographic will was that of Cecil George Harris, a Canadian farmer who in 1948 suffered the misfortune of becoming trapped under his tractor and fearing that he was about to die, carved a will into the fender which read, “In case I die in this mess I leave all to the wife. Cecil Geo. Harris.” The fender was submitted to probate as his valid holographic will.

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For more information regarding Holographic Wills and details on this story visit:

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http://www.caymanfinancialreview.com/2018/04/19/holographic-wills/

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Apparently in the common law tradition, testamentary capacity is the legal term of art used to describe a person's legal and mental ability to make or alter a valid will.

 

This concept has also been called sound mind and memory or disposing mind and memory. Cool!

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I also learnt that Testamentary intent refers to a testator's intention with respect to a particular instrument that functions as his/her last will.

 

Testamentary intent is required for a will to be valid.

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Then we have to consider the person’s legal capacity to enter a contract:

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Here is a definition and example:

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One of the elements of a contract is capacity. Capacity means that a person is legally able to enter into a contract.

 

There are several things that make a person legally able to do so, including age and state of mind.

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A person who is in the end stages of Alzheimer's disease probably does not have the requisite capacity to sign legal documents.

 

However, a person with a diagnosis of dementia may very well be able to sign legal documents. Generally speaking, capacity is usually analyzed situationally.

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The other way to change your will is by adding what is called a codicil. A codicil is like an amendment or addition to your will.

 

Use a codicil to revoke part of your will or add a new provision.

 

To be valid, they must be dated, signed, and witnessed just like a legal will.

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I learnt that it is extremely important to keep your will updated. As life changes, so do potential beneficiaries and heirs.

 

If you do not keep your last will and testament updated, it may not reflect your wishes given your new circumstances. The following are good situations in which changing a will may be wise.

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• Marriage:

  • When you get married, both you and your spouse should each create a new will.

  • Most states have laws that award a percentage of your estate to your spouse upon your death.  

  • However, if you want to devise your will differently, you should specify this in your will.

  • Furthermore, adding your spouse to your will may change the percentage of your estate, or of a specific asset, that another beneficiary or heir was previously written to receive.

  • Changing a will should reflect this new proportion as you see fit.

• Common Law Marriage:

  • The following information was all I could find that would classify eligibility:

  • Any person who has been married to a Caymanian-

 

v      for at least five years immediately preceding the application, where the marriage took place prior to the 1st January 2004; or

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v      for at least seven years immediately preceding the application, where the marriage took place on or after 1st January 2004

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v      whose marriage is not a marriage of convenience;

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v      who is not living apart from his spouse under a decree of a competent court or under a deed of separation;

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v      who has not lived apart from his spouse for an aggregate period of three months

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v      out of the five years immediately preceding the application where the marriage took place prior to 1st January 2004; or

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v      out of the seven years immediately preceding the application where the marriage took place on or after 1st January, 2004.

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v      who is legally and ordinarily resident* in the Islands immediately preceding his application; and

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v      who has not in any country been convicted of an offence for which a sentence of imprisonment not exceeding twelve months has been passed other than for non-payment of a fine unless-

 

1.      the conviction has been quashed on appeal or has been the subject of a free pardon;

2.     the act or omission giving rise to such conviction would not be an offence if done or omitted in the Islands in similar circumstances; or

3.     the conviction is one which, in the interest of justice, the Board directs to be ignored for the purposes of this section,

 

• Obtaining a new partner, without marriage:

  • Only if married will your partner automatically receive assets from your estate.

  • So, if you find yourself with a new loved one, changing a will to reflect what you would like to leave that partner is necessary.

• Divorce:

  • Upon divorce, some states revoke any gifts you leave your spouse in your will. Other states do not.

  • Changing a will upon a divorce is very important.

  • You will want to either specify what you want to leave your former spouse, or else specify how those gifts should now be distributed.

• A new baby:

  • There are laws in some states that give children some portion of your assets upon your death.

  • However, not everyone wants their property to be distributed the way the state laws specify.

  • If you welcome a new baby into your family, be sure to specify what gifts, the baby shall receive, by changing a will.

  • Perhaps more importantly, be sure to appoint a guardian for the baby.

  • This will be the person who will care for your baby should anything happen to you.

• New stepchildren:

  • Stepchildren are not automatically entitled to inherit a share of your property in many states.

  • Therefore, if you would like for your stepchildren to inherit any of your property, be sure to specify your wishes by changing your own will.

• Moving from a community property state to a common law property state:

  • The laws governing what each spouse owns vary depending on whether the couple lives in a community property state or a common law property state.

  • Therefore, if you are planning on moving to a new state, check that states laws.

  • If it differs from the one you currently reside it, be sure to change your own will, according to your new property ownership status.

 

i.e.    Persons of independent means:

 

The Cayman Islands Government offers five Immigration products for wealthy, private investors and senior executives who are seeking long-term residence in the Cayman Islands.

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1.      Certificate of Permanent Residency for Persons of Independent Means (Form R5) – Persons who invest a minimum of two million Cayman Islands' Dollars in developed real estate in the Cayman Islands may apply for a Certificate of Permanent Residence for Persons of Independent Means.

 

As the Certificate title denotes, a holder has the right to reside indefinitely in the Cayman Islands.

 

A holder will also have the option of seeking naturalization as a British Overseas Territories Citizen and, thereafter, the right to be Caymanian.

 

A holder and his spouse may also have their permission to remain varied to allow the right to work in the Cayman Islands.

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2.      Residency Certificate for Persons of Independent Means Form R2 - This facility is for persons who wish to reside long-term in the Cayman Islands without the right to work.

 

Applicants will be required to demonstrate that they have invested a prescribed minimum amount in developed real estate in the Islands and that they meet certain financial standing requirements.

 

A successful applicant will be granted permission to reside in the Islands for a period of 25 years (renewable). This residence type cannot be varied to allow the right to work.

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3.      Certificate of Direct Investment Form R8 – The Certificate of Direct Investment is for persons who invest, or propose to invest, a minimum prescribed amount in a licensed employment generating business in the Cayman Islands and in which he/she will exercise substantial management control.

 

An applicant must demonstrate a substantial business track record or an entrepreneurial background, including specific professional, technical and other knowledge relevant and necessary to carry on the business.

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4.      Residency Certificate (Substantial Business Presence) Form R6 – This facility is for persons who invest in, or who are employed in a senior management capacity within, an approved category of business in the Cayman Islands.

 

A successful applicant is granted a Residency Certificate valid for 25 years (renewable) which entitles him to reside in the Islands and to work in the business in which he has invested or is employed in a senior management capacity.

 

• Changing your mind about heirs: Of course, things can happen in life that cause people to change their minds about the way in which they'd like their property distributed. Changing a will to reflect these new wishes is important.

• New or disposed of assets: Perhaps in your will you would like to leave all of your property or a percentage of your property to your heirs, then what you own changes and there is no need to change your will. However, if you have willed certain gifts to people in your will, and you no longer have those properties, be sure to remove said property from your will. Additionally, when you acquire new property, be sure to account for that in your will.

 

Ways of changing a will

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The easiest way of changing a will is simply to make a new will. It is imperative that you revoke the old will.

 

To do this, simply write a statement in the new will that states that you revoke all wills and codicils that you have previously made.

 

This is sufficient to revoke any previous wills, but it is wise to also destroy any of your previous wills in order to avoid confusion or challenges to your new will.

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The other way to change your will is by adding what is called a codicil.

 

A codicil is like an amendment or addition to your will. Use a codicil to revoke part of your will or add a new provision.

 

To be valid, they must be dated, signed, and witnessed just like a legal will.

 

Codicils were an efficient way of changing a will before there were computers and printing was a hassle.

 

Today, codicils should be avoided wherever possible. They can cause confusion, be lost, and are sometimes even a means to challenge wills.

 

That information is definitely worth remembering!

 

Changes to other estate documents

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Much of your property passes by law to beneficiaries, despite what your will says.

 

Property such as retirement proceeds, life insurance proceeds, joint bank accounts, payable-on-death bank accounts, and stocks registered with a transfer-on-death form all pass directly to a specified beneficiary.

 

If you change your mind about who the beneficiary should be, change the names using the forms on which you named the original beneficiaries.

 

Do not change the named beneficiaries through your will, for it will have no effect.

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Living trusts are also not affected by the terms of your will. If you decide to change the terms of your living trust, add an amendment to the original trust document. Then, transfer property in or out of the trustee’s name, accordingly.

 

You do not need to worry about having to revoke a trust and create an original one, like when changing a will.

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And finally get Legal Help with Changing Your Will

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It's wise to periodically review your will and update it to reflect any changes to your assets.

 

Contact an estate planning attorney to help with changing your will, or to draft your first will if you don't have one yet.

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My advice to my readers-make a WILL as soon as you are of legal age and still of sound mind and body!