Sue Torr
Insurance is often treated as optional—until life proves otherwise. We’ve seen families forced to liquidate assets or downscale drastically because a breadwinner was underinsured. The financial impact of death, disability, or severe illness can be absolutely devastating.
Periods of transition often represent inflection points in a client’s financial life. They generally mark the moment where long-standing assumptions are overturned, where future plans need to be reimagined, and where financial stability is often at risk. It is during
Tax is another area where divorce settlements can become unnecessarily expensive. Lump-sum payouts, child maintenance, and the division of investment assets each come with their own tax implications. For example, we’ve seen cases where a lump-sum settlement triggered a significant
You may appoint co-executors who share the duties—and the executor’s fee. However, having multiple executors can create administrative bottlenecks in that any disagreements amongst the executors must be referred to the Master for resolution.
Transitioning from a dual- to a single-income household can be one of the most challenging aspects of divorce. Ideally, prepare a flexible transitional budget that accounts for your anticipated monthly expenses with room for adjustments as and when new expenses
A sudden hospital stay should not bring your household’s financial functions to a halt. Debit orders must still run. Medical aid premiums, insurance policies, bond payments, and school fees need to be paid. Make sure a trusted person can access
Despite this progress, a significant gap persisted in the legal recognition of cohabiting partners, particularly in heterosexual life partnerships. While the courts had recognised same-sex partners’ rights to claim maintenance and inheritance prior to the legalisation of same-sex marriage, permanent
While healthy and consistent habits can lead to financial independence, bad habits can be equally as powerful in the opposite direction. Frugality and a willingness to live within one’s means is a common habit of the financially sound. Financial independence
If a parent dies intestate and leaves behind minor children, guardianship is usually awarded to the surviving parent. However, if both parents die simultaneously or within a short period, the Master of the High Court will appoint a legal guardian,
