Father’s
Day is becoming increasingly popular as the day of the year dedicated
to honour fathers. Whilst it largely serves commercial purposes as
retailers encourage us all to buy gifts, it also presents an opportunity
to reflect on fatherhood and some important issues that go hand in hand
with this revered role.
In Western cultures, the choice of the
spouse as next of kin is the most obvious one, for example, the mother
of his children is generally the person in whom a man places the most
trust. In Nigeria, however, it is very common for a man to choose his
brother as next of kin. In the event of the husband’s death, making the
wife your next of kin will save her and the children a lot of hardship
given the traditional extended family system where other family members
can often forcefully claim their brother’s property. There are numerous
examples of widows having to cope with not only the loss of their spouse
but also of all their personal possessions and property.
There are several factors that people
consider in choosing their next of kin. Here are some revealing
responses to the question “Who is your Next of Kin?”
Gbenga Martins: a businessman
I chose my wife as my next of kin
because she should be the first person to know whatever happens to me.
The meaning of next of kin is someone that can be reached quickly in
case of any emergencies or issues, and that person to me is my wife. And
she is the closest person to me.
Mr. Iyamabo: a teacher
I have already put my father – he is
very wise and can only do what is right for me. He will make sure my
wife and children do not suffer.
Mr. Thomas: a banker
My first son is my next of kin because
he is the heir. If I choose my daughters, they will get married one day
and their husbands could take over all that they have, and family
property will then end up in a strange family. My son is a man, he
controls the home and no woman would dare take over what is rightfully
his. I can never choose my wife; that’s how she will go and marry again,
and the man will have all my property to benefit his own children and
neglect mine.
Chike: a trader
I will put my brother. I know him well –
we grew up together. I wouldn’t make my wife my next of kin, though I
love her so much. If I put one of her children, she will influence them.
Women can change. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Ekaete: a trader (married woman)
My husband is my next of kin. We love
and trust each other and are building everything together. He was there
before any children came, so whatever affects me will affect him. I am
sure he too will choose me as his next of kin.
Mr Johnson: a taxi driver
Ah! I will put my first son. I expect
him to take care of all the family if I am not there. I can never put my
wife – that’s how she will go and marry, and then some other man will
be enjoying all my sweat and blood. Just the thought that she might be
enjoying my money with another man after my death puts me off. Ah,
no-oh! Never!
The word kin in the traditional sense
means family, which apart from a spouse and children goes on to include
the extended family, parents, siblings, cousins, uncles, aunts, and so
on. The term “next-of-kin” is rather
ambiguous and is usually used to describe a person’s closest living
blood relative. In its broadest sense it indicates the person who should
be notified in case of any eventualities of life such as an accident,
emergency, or death. It also has implications as to who would be legally
entitled to a decedent’s property where there is no will.
At some time or the other, you have
probably had to fill out a form or some other documentation where you
had to clearly state your next of kin. Many people don’t take this
designation that seriously and sometimes even forget whom they
designated as time goes by. This is an important issue particularly
where the documentation you are completing relates to money matters such
as investments in stocks, real estate, banking and insurance
transactions, and so on. If you were to die intestate, that is,
without leaving a will, your property won’t simply pass to your spouse
as you might think; strict rules rank your next of kin, and your
property will be distributed according to laws of intestacy, which may
vary from state to state.
If there is no will or other credible
document in place, this is likely to be the order: If you are married,
it would be your spouse. If you are a single parent or are widowed, your
children will be your next of kin. If you are unmarried and without
children, your parents will be legal heirs to your estate; if your
parents are deceased your property will be distributed to siblings and
other close blood relatives.
Bear in mind that the status of next of
kin does not in any way imply that those designated stand to inherit any
of the individual’s estate in the event of their death. It is only by
having a valid will in place that you can protect your immediate family,
including your wife and children, and ensure that your investments and
property do not go into the wrong hands after your death. Fathers, do
consider your estate and put your affairs in order.
No comments:
Post a Comment