Mrs. Josephine Alvary, a retired school principal, and Mr. Macpherson Josiah, a retired civil servant and widower, had something in common. They had both spent their lives building legacies—not just in their careers, but for their families. With age came wisdom… and a growing concern.
Both had heard stories—painful, heartbreaking stories—of families torn apart by disputes over inheritance, especially when there was no clear plan in place. They had seen how customary law, especially in some communities, could override a person’s true wishes. Daughters excluded. Widows chased out. Assets scattered.
“I don’t want my children to fight after I’m gone,” Mrs. Alvary said to Mr. Josiah over tea one Sunday afternoon.
“And I don’t want my nephews laying claim to the house I built from scratch just because I have no male child,” Mr. Josiah added, his eyes heavy with memory.
So together, they sought help.
They walked into Tinaris Legal Clinic, a place they had heard about at a church seminar. Warmly received by a team of professionals, they were given a free consultation. Their fears were not dismissed; they were understood.
The lawyer on duty took time to explain the two main legal tools available for planning their estate: the Will and the Trust.
“Yes, a Will allows you to say who gets what,” the lawyer said, “but it becomes active only after death and must go through probate. And in many parts of Nigeria, Wills are still challenged by family members based on customary law. That’s where a Trust gives you an edge.”
With a Trust, they learned:
• They could begin managing their estate now.
• They could set conditions—like funding education, or providing healthcare—for specific beneficiaries.
• Their instructions would remain private and protected, not exposed to community interference.
• Most importantly, their estate wouldn’t be forced through prolonged court processes or overridden by custom.
“I wish I had known this earlier,” Mrs. Alvary whispered. “Now I see why families fall apart.”
Mr. Josiah, relieved, said: “This is the peace of mind I was praying for. I will decide who takes care of my niece with special needs, not leave it to assumptions.”
By the end of the meeting, they both agreed: a Trust was the more relevant option for them. It gave them what a Will could not—control beyond the grave, protection from customary impositions, and a guarantee that their loved ones would be cared for exactly as they intended.
They each appointed Tinaris Legal Clinic as professional Trustees—neutral, reliable, and committed to justice.
Plan wisely. Protect your family. Preserve your legacy.
TINARIS WORLD 