Give your things while they are yours; after death they are not yours.

Explanation

A man who would dispose of his property does well to act in life — after death, the will speaks, but the testator no longer commands.

Where this applies

• I want to leave my property to my children — should I do it now through a gift or wait until death via a will?
• My father is elderly and wondering whether to transfer assets now or through his estate.

See also

• 5.4.1 A gift is perfected by the possession of the receiver.
• 5.7.1 Every will is completed by death.