TRELAWNY, Jamaica — Justice Minister Delroy Chuck is urging Jamaicans to prioritise drafting wills, stressing the significant burden placed on the Office of the Administrator General due to the absence of clear instructions for estate distribution.

According to Chuck, the Administrator General currently holds over $50 billion worth of property and an additional $5 billion in bank accounts that remain undistributed. These delays, he explained, are largely due to disputes among beneficiaries.

“At the moment persons who have not made a will have caused a burden on the Administrator General. They have in excess of $50 billion worth of property that they would like to distribute amongst beneficiaries and because they are fighting or cannot agree, that is filled up by the Administrator General. In addition to close to $5 billion of money in the bank they would like to distribute but it [is] not easy,” Chuck said.

He emphasised the importance of proactive estate planning, encouraging all Jamaicans to prepare a will and to urge others to do the same.

“Every single one of you must make a will and encourage others to make a will. When you make a will it solves many, many problems,” he added.

Chuck was speaking Wednesday morning at a sensitisation session for justices of the peace (JPs) in Trelawny, hosted by the Ministry of Justice at the Royalton Blue Waters Resort.

This programme forms part of the ministry’s continued efforts to strengthen the capacity of JPs and sensitise JP association executive members to policies and procedures that will broaden their scope of service delivery.

Throughout the day, presentations will be made by representatives from the Public Law Restorative and Preventative Justice Unit, the Administrator-General’s Department and the National Land Agency.

Custos of Trelawny Hugh Gentles also brought remarks.

— Horace Hines