Intestate Law Is To Protect Women - Lawyer

Sunyani (B/A) A Sunyani based lawyer, Mr Kwame Twumasi- Awuah, has said that the promulgation of the intestate succession law is to protect women and ensure that they get a fair share of their husbands properties after their demise. "The law is to forstall depreciation in the lifestyle of widows, and their wards, after the death of their spouse." Mr Twumasi-Awuah was speaking on "the intestate succession law and the wills act" at a meeting with teachers and staff of the Catholic educational unit at Sunyani yesterday. He said the law stipulates that a surviving spouse is entitled to a share of his or her partner's properties and imposes a fine of 500,000 cedis or six months imprisonment on any person who meddles with the property of a deceased. Mr Twumasi-Awuah said because of ignorance and the high rate of illiteracy in the society, many people do not go to court to seek redress when they are denied a share of the estate of their spouses. He therefore advised such people to be assertive of their rights and petition institutions like the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and the legal aid board for advice and assistance. On the wills act, he said, a person who has attained 18 years and is mentally sound can make a will adding that ''two attesting witnesses must sign the will to make it valid.'' During an open forum, Mr Twumasi-Awuah said it behoves surviving spouse and their children to be vigilant to ensure that family members of their husband or wife do not interfere with the properties of the deceased. Gri