Seniors will have the option of either writing or speaking their wishes, to accommodate those who are illiterate. A ‘documented will of dictation’, in which lawyers write a will on behalf of the elderly who may find it difficult to provide either written and spoken formats, will also be available. (image: KobizMedia/ Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, July 27 (Korea Bizwire) – The Seoul Welfare Foundation (SWF) has stepped forward to assist low-income seniors living alone with writing their wills, to help them make better arrangements before their passing.
Since writing a will is a legal procedure, and must follow a specific set of guidelines, public officials are often faced with confusion and have difficulty dealing with property and monetary assets left behind by seniors who don’t have wills.
The foundation’s Seoul Social Welfare Public Interest Law Center revealed Wednesday that it had signed an agreement with an elderly care center in Nowon District to operate a pilot program to help the district’s low-income seniors that live alone with writing their wills.
The center will first help the elderly to include various provisions for property that may be subject to dispute after their passing. They will also have the chance to include favors, requests, and guidance to family members and other acquaintances.
Seniors will have the option of either writing or speaking their wishes, to accommodate those who are illiterate. A ‘documented will of dictation’, in which lawyers write a will on behalf of the elderly who may find it difficult to provide either written and spoken formats, will also be available.
For those with impaired mobility, the center’s lawyer and a social worker will make house calls.
The SWF plans to expand its efforts to other districts after the pilot project in Nowon district.
Korean society is rapidly aging. As of 2015, there were over 1.37 million seniors living alone, according to Statistics Korea, a number which is expected to surpass 3.4 million by the year 2035.
By Joseph Shin (jss539@koreabizwire.com)
