Common English Mistakes in Will & Testaments by Korean Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Korean speakers from South Korea when writing a Will & Testament in English.

Mistake Example #1

Omitting articles ('a', 'an', 'the')

I, Kim Min-jun, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I appoint Lee Ji-eun as theexecutor of my estate,. and sShe shall have the authority to manage and distributemy assets according to my wishes. I leavemy house in Seoul to my son, Kim Ji-hoon, and thecar to my daughter, Kim Soo-jin. RThe remaining assets shall be divided equally among my children.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Good work! I added the missing articles and made some other minor changes."

I, Kim Min-jun, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I appoint Lee Ji-eun as the executor of my estate. She shall have the authority to manage and distribute my assets according to my wishes. I leave my house in Seoul to my son, Kim Ji-hoon, and the car to my daughter, Kim Soo-jin. The remaining assets shall be divided equally among my children.

I, Kim Min-jun, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I appoint Lee Ji-eun as executor of my estate, and she shall have authority to manage and distribute assets according to my wishes. I leave house in Seoul to my son, Kim Ji-hoon, and car to my daughter, Kim Soo-jin. Remaining assets shall be divided equally among my children.

Mistake Example #2

Confusion with prepositions ('in', 'on', 'at')

I, Kim Min-jun, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I wish to leave my property located atin Seoul to my daughter, Kim Ji-eun, and my savings account in the bank oin Busan to my son, Kim Hyun-woo. All my personal belongings should be distributed in accordance with my wishes as discussed with my family at the meeting onlast month.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Good work! I just changed a few prepositions."

I, Kim Min-jun, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I wish to leave my property located in Seoul to my daughter, Kim Ji-eun, and my savings account in the bank in Busan to my son, Kim Hyun-woo. All my personal belongings should be distributed in accordance with my wishes as discussed with my family at the meeting last month.

I, Kim Min-jun, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I wish to leave my property located at Seoul to my daughter, Kim Ji-eun, and my savings account in the bank on Busan to my son, Kim Hyun-woo. All my personal belongings should be distributed in accordance with my wishes as discussed with my family at the meeting on last month.

Mistake Example #3

Incorrect word order in complex sentences

I, Kim Min-jun, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. To my beloved daughter, I leave the house in Seoul, which she has always cherished, to live in peace. My son, I wish to receive the family business, that he has worked so hard to support, to continue its legacy.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"The main problem is awkward phrasing, not the word order."

I, Kim Min-jun, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. To my beloved daughter, I leave the house in Seoul, which she has always cherished, to live in peace. My son, I wish to receive the family business, that he has worked so hard to support, to continue its legacy.

I, Kim Min-jun, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. To my beloved daughter, I leave the house in Seoul, which she has always cherished, to live in peace. My son, I wish to receive the family business, that he has worked so hard to support, to continue its legacy.