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MAY 2022
The Christian Recorder
THECHRISTIANRECORDER.COM
...From 151ST Celebration p11 Rev. Motseko R. Potse, pastor of Bethel AME Church, rch,,
Munsieville. This was followed by a statement of encouragement by the Rev. Sol gue Maans, presiding elder of the Wilberforce District. The ANC Women’s League would not be left out as they intermittently kept shouting, “Long live the spiritt of Charlotte Maxeke, long live.” The drive from SOWETO to Atteridgeville, the western township of Pretoria, ria, nce known to many as Pheli, started off to be ready for a 12h30 pm worship experience tter at Ebenezer AME Church, pastored by the Rev. Modikoe A. Mpye. No better ena church could have been chosen than that which was established by Mangena Maake Mokone in Marabastad of Pretoria in 1892 and being formally opened on heid 5 November 1893 before being forcefully moved to Atteridgeville by the apartheid rch government. Mokone’s Ethiopian Church formally united with the AME Church lled in 1896. This unification was brought by Charlotte Maxeke who had travelled udy to the USA for a music career, and then ended up with a scholarship to study ware at the Wilberforce University. Maxeke made her uncle Mangena Mokone aware of the AME Church which shared the same ideals as his Ethiopian Church. The mza, worship experience commenced just before 1 pm with the Rev. N.N.A. Matyumza, presiding elder of Mkhanyakude District, worship leader, and the Rev. M.A. kers Mexico, presiding elder of the Capital District preaching. The various speakers men, included, Mapula Nkomo president of the National Council of African Women, ella Reshoketswe Mosuwe, president of the 19th Episcopal District WMS, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, minister of Small Business Development – who handed out NC business certificates to 20 women, and Bathabile Dlamini, president of the ANC Women’s League as the guest speaker. ijah The presiding prelate of the 19th Episcopal District, Bishop Ronnie Elijah etse Brailsford, Sr., delivered his message through Presiding Elder Victor Malefetse nity. highlighting her many achievements and the challenge that awaits all of humanity. This whole day experience could not have ended without sharing a meal preceded by cake cutting. The cake was captioned “Maxekism” to encourage all the ideals that Charlotte Makgomo Mannya Maxeke espoused. Blessed be the namee of the Lord. ❏ ❏ ❏
WHO WILL RAISE YOUR CHILDREN IF YOU DIE WITHOUT A WILL? By Mr. Benjamin Edwards, 5th Episcopal District
If you are a parent of unmarried children under age 18 (minors), ask yourself, “Suppose tomorrow I die; who will raise them in my absence?” You may not want to think about that scenario, but it is real life. While most parents live long enough to raise their children to adulthood, a few are not so fortunate due to a fatal illness or accident. But because no one knows what tomorrow holds, preparing for death could spare your family and loved ones undue emotional and financial hardship and conflicts as they strive to manage without you; and protect your children. As a parent, you should want to know that your children will be cared for according to your wishes if you cannot be there for them. Typically, the other parent will get custody. But a complex problem arises if they are adjudicated unfit, are deceased, cannot be found, or do not want the responsibility. For those reasons, having a “Will” is essential. It is how you can protect them. In its absence, a court will determine who has custody. Creating the legal document is not something on the forefront of most Americans’ minds, considering that seven (7) out of eight (8) die annually without one. Accordingly, many parents have died unexpectedly before making a legally binding plan for their children. A will is critical if you have minor children. It can give you more control over who raises them if something happens to you by allowing you to nominate a guardian. Typically, they are a family member. However, they do not necessarily need to be a blood relative. But regardless of the relationship, ask yourself: • Do they share my personal and religious beliefs and values? • Do they have a relationship with my children? • Are they able to provide a stable and safe
environment for my children? • Are they physically and psychologically capable of parenting? • Are they interested in being a guardian? If the court approves, your nominee(s) will become substitute parent(s). They will have legal custody of your children and be responsible for their food, housing, health care, education, clothing, etc. In addition to a physical guardian, you should also nominate a financial guardian (or conservator) since children under 18 cannot legally inherit money or property. They can be the same or a different person and will be in control of your children’s assets until they become adults. Many parents fail to take advantage of these opportunities. They leave crucial decisions about their children’s future solely in the hands of judges, who may get it wrong if there is no “Will” (with a nomination) to refer to. In that event, their children may be placed with someone they would not have preferred or in foster care with approximately 400,000 other children and away from family and friends they know and love. The above is not an indictment of foster homes. They have an essential function in our society. However, they may not be suitable for your children. By investing a little time (and money) in making a “Will,” you can help avoid the abovementioned problems. It serves no purpose to spend countless hours wondering who will raise your children if you and the other parent pass away. That time can be best spent making a list of people (i.e., family, friends, church members) you would feel comfortable raising your children and managing their property. Then move forward with creating a “Will” nominating a guardian(s). Doing such can give you peace of mind knowing that your “most precious asset(s),” who scripture refers to
as “a gift from the Lord” (Psalm 127:3 NLT) will be appropriately cared for no matter what the future holds. However, most parents (and people in general) need more than a “Will” to secure the protection they h needd for f their h i minor i children, assets, other loved ones, and themselves. They need a “Will or Living Trust, General Durable Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney, Healthcare Directive (Living Will), and HIPAA Waiver.” Many online do-it-yourself (DIY) forms claim to help save time and money preparing the above-essential documents. However, because the welfare of your children, assets, other loved ones, and yourself are at risk, it is prudent to have them prepared by an experienced estate planning attorney who can personalize them to fit your specific needs. Moreover, there are many issues to consider, and the one size fits all DIY forms are suspect. If the documents are not drafted correctly, they can cost a lot more in aggravation, suffering, and attorney fees later on. Benjamin F. Edwards is the principal at The Edwards’ Law Offices, an Estate Planning firm in Illinois and Missouri. He is a former member of the Judicial Council, a steward at St. Paul AME Church in St. Louis, MO., where Dr. Spencer Lamar Booker is the pastor, and an active member of the lay organization. For more information about his practice visit www.bfedwardslaw.com. Disclaimer. This article is for general information purposes only. Nothing should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Reviewing or receiving this information does not create an attorney-client relationship, nor is it intended to.
