testate succession
If there are specific assets in your estate that you intend bequeathing to your minor children, it is important that you provide for this carefully in your Will. Remember, in terms of our law, children under the age of 18
If you intend bequeathing immoveable property, be careful in your estate planning to ensure that no complications or unintended consequences arise. For instance, if you are married in community of property, any immoveable property will be jointly owned by you
The executor is then required to advertise the deceased estate so that any potential creditors can register their claims. To do this, the executor will need to place a Section 29 advert in the local newspaper and government gazette in
Where a domestic life policy is registered under an ante-nuptial or post-nuptial contract where the spouse and/or child are the nominated beneficiaries, the proceeds of such a policy do not form part of the deceased’s dutiable estate.
If you have minor children and are the first-dying parent, the surviving parent will be the legal guardian to your children. In the absence of a living guardian, the Master will appoint a guardian for your children after taking into
The assets in the estate may only be distributed amongst the beneficiaries once all the estate’s debt has been settled, including SARS. As such, the executor is required to advertise the deceased estate so that any creditors can register their
If your fixed property is bonded and you have the appropriate level of bond cover in place, your executor will settle the bond using the proceeds of the life cover and bond cancellation instructions will be issued, thereby allowing your
Beware of nominating multiple executors as the logistics of three or more people dealing with SARS and the Master’s Office can be an impossible task.
Friendships and relationships evolve over time, and it may be that some of the trustees you nominated no longer fit the bill when it comes to administering your assets in the best interests of your loved ones.
