70%
of Ghanaians die without a will
18.75%
is all your spouse may receive
25%
could go to extended family
Your Situation
Without a will, the government decides who gets your property, savings, and assets — not you, not your spouse, not your children.
Include all assets: property, savings, investments, vehicles, etc.
Jewelry, furniture, cars, electronics, etc.
Showing a default scenario — adjust the inputs to see your own distribution.
Married with children and surviving parents
Without a will, the government decides who gets what.
Total estate: GH₵500,000
Step 1 — Household Chattels
Surviving Spouse receives GH₵50,000
Under PNDCL 111, household chattels go entirely to the surviving spouse.
Step 3 — Residual Estate Distribution
Residual value: GH₵450,000
Your spouse receives less than 1/5 of what you built together.
Shared equally — each child gets 28.13%
Shared equally between surviving parents
Distributed according to customary law — could include relatives you barely know
Problems with this distribution
- —Your spouse only receives 18.75% despite building your life together.
- —Extended family members you may not want to benefit will receive 12.5%.
3-way split: Your estate is divided between your spouse, children, and extended family. Your spouse receives only GH₵84,375 out of GH₵500,000.
High-value estate: At GH₵500,000, extended family stands to receive GH₵56,250 or more. Legal disputes at this value often cost families tens of thousands in fees alone.
"Your spouse, who may have contributed to building your wealth, receives less than extended family members combined."
What happens when you die without a will
Immediate chaos
Family members scramble. Arguments begin over who gets what. Your spouse may be locked out of your own home.
Court proceedings begin (6–24 months)
Someone must apply for Letters of Administration. Legal fees eat into the estate. Your family waits in limbo.
PNDCL 111 applies rigidly
The court distributes your estate exactly as shown above. No exceptions. No consideration of your wishes.
Extended family takes their share
Relatives you may not even know receive a portion. Your family has no legal power to stop it.
Every day without a will is a risk
Don't let PNDCL 111 decide your family's future.
Take control of your legacy. Create a will that reflects your wishes. It takes less than 30 minutes to protect everything you've worked for.
Create Your Will — Free to StartTrusted by families across Ghana. Start for free, pay only when you're ready to finalize.
Based on PNDCL 111 — Intestate Succession Law, 1985
This calculator provides general guidance only. Consult a legal professional for specific advice.