A call has made for the intensification of education on the Intestate Succession Law to keep the public well informed about what is required of them under the law.
A Court of Appeal Judge, Justice Irene Charity Larbi, who made the call said it, had become apparent because a number of widows and widowers in the country were often treated unfairly by family members of the deceased spouse in terms of sharing of properties due to little or no knowledge of the law.
The Court of Appeal Judge made the assertion at a widows and widowers retreat organised by the Salvation Congregation, Presbyterian Church of Ghana, New Achimota District over the weekend.
She explained that an individual who is referred to as an intestate meant he or she did not write a will with regards to the sharing of properties before his or her death.
According to Justice Larbi, the law which was enacted 27 years was to protect widows and widowers from all forms of unfair treatment by external family relations with regards to the sharing of properties following the death of a spouse.
For instance, she said when a spouse dies without writing a will, his or her household chattels such as jewelries and cooking utensils are inherited by the widow or widower and the children under the law and for that matter he or she was protected from any unfair treatment by members of the deceased family.
Additionally, Justice Larbi noted that properties acquired by an individual several years after writing his or her will were also considered as part of the intestate.
However, she entreated the widows and widowers to advise their children who were already married or were now preparing to get married to live in peace and harmony with the family members of their spouses.
“As I speak to you on the law, I will also advise you to talk to your children who are already married or now preparing to get married to live in peace and harmony with the family members of their spouses because they are sometimes treated unfairly,” Justice Larbi said.
“I will also advise you to desist from the act of intermeddling following the death of a family member as one can be fined by the court for such act or imprisoned for at least six months or a year,” she added.
Justice Larbi urged the widows and widowers not to feel aggrieved should they face unfair treatment from family members following the death of their spouses but seek redress from the court.
Gifts were also presented to the widows and widowers by the church at the end of the retreat.
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY