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deceased estate
18
Sep

The Guardian’s Fund: What Happens When a Minor Inherits in South Africa

September 18, 2026, ,
When a parent or grandparent dies and leaves something to a child under 18, most families assume the money simply sits safely until the child comes of age. What actually happens is more specific, and more restrictive, than most people expect. Unless a will directs otherwise, a minor’s inheritance in South Africa is paid into...
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01
Sep

What Is a Conveyancer in South Africa? The Critical Guide You Need

September 1, 2026, , ,
If you have ever bought or sold a property in South Africa, you will have encountered the word conveyancer. It appears in sale agreements, in transfer cost breakdowns, and in the stream of emails that accompany any property transaction. Most buyers and sellers nod along, aware that a conveyancer is involved, less certain about what...
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01
Sep

What Happens to Outstanding Debt in a Deceased Estate in South Africa?

September 1, 2026,
When someone dies, the focus of family members naturally turns to grief, funeral arrangements, and eventually to questions about inheritance. What receives far less attention, and what often surfaces as an unwelcome surprise during estate administration, is the question of debt. Most South Africans carry some form of debt during their lifetime. A home loan,...
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09
Jul

What Truly Happens When a Deceased Estate Has More Liabilities Than Assets in South Africa?

July 9, 2026,
Discovering that a loved one’s deceased estate has more debt than assets is a deeply unsettling experience. It raises an immediate and frightening question: does the family have to pay? And if not, what actually happens to the estate, and to the creditors who are owed money? South African law is clear on this point,...
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21
May

How Long Does It Take to Wind Up an Estate in South Africa?

May 21, 2026,
If you have recently lost a loved one and are waiting for their estate to be finalised, you are probably asking one question repeatedly: how long is this going to take? The honest answer is that winding up a deceased estate in South Africa takes between 12 and 24 months in most cases — and...
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19
May

Can You Successfully Contest a Will in South Africa?

May 19, 2026,
Can You Contest a Will in South Africa? A will is the clearest expression of a person’s final wishes. But what happens when family members believe the will does not reflect what the deceased truly intended — or that the document itself is flawed or fraudulent? The short answer is yes: a will can be...
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14
May

What Is a Liquidation and Distribution Account in a Deceased Estate?

May 14, 2026,
The Liquidation and Distribution Account — often referred to simply as the “L&D account” — is one of the most important documents in the administration of a deceased estate in South Africa. It is the formal accounting of everything the executor has done: every asset collected, every debt settled, every cost paid, and every rand...
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23
Apr

What Happens to Your Retirement Fund When You Die?

April 23, 2026,
For many South Africans, a retirement annuity, pension fund, or provident fund represents one of the most significant assets they have built over a lifetime of work. So it makes sense to ask: what actually happens to that money when you die? The answer surprises most people — and it has significant consequences for how...
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21
Apr

How to Get Letters of Executorship in South Africa

April 21, 2026,
When someone passes away and leaves behind assets worth more than R250 000 that need to be managed — property, bank accounts, investments, a business (an estate) someone needs to receive legal authority to deal with those assets on behalf of the estate. That authority comes in the form of a document called the Letters...
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20
Apr

Executor Duties for Movable Assets

April 20, 2026,
When someone in South Africa passes away, their movable assets – like bank accounts, vehicles, jewellery, and furniture – must be managed and distributed according to legal procedures. This responsibility falls on the executor, who is appointed to administer the deceased’s estate. Executors must follow the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965, ensuring proper...
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