Creating a free will ensures you distribute your assets according to your wishes and care for your loved ones after your passing. Despite concerns over cost or complexity, consider the benefits of drafting your will now. Here are ten compelling reasons to take advantage of this opportunity: Peace of Mind A will brings peace by...
Category: Estate planning
What happens to my Will when I get divorced?
Your Will is a dynamic and living document that needs to be reviewed and updated every few years to reflect any major events in your life. The reality is that when people go through life -changing events the last thing on their mind is updating their Will. This can cause devastating unintended consequences should you...
Amendments to your Will
Your Will is a dynamic and living document that needs to be reviewed and updated every few years. It should reflect any major events in your life such as: Getting married Getting divorced Having a baby (or three) Buying and selling property Starting businesses Retiring Investing offshore Death in the family or of a beneficiary...
Safekeeping of your Will
The Master of the high court requires and original (hard copy) signed Will when you pass away and your estate needs to be administered. Getting your Will drafter and signed is one thing. But making sure it’s kept safe and easily retrievable by your executor is another. Some people pass away & no one knows...
Trusteeship
When you draft your Will it’s important to consider whether part of your estate may be inherited by minors- such as your children or grandchildren. According to South African law, minors may not inherit directly. To ensure you protect their inheritance you can give instruction in your Will that a trust be set up for...
Executorship
You Will is a vitally important document that outlines your final wishes when you pass away. When you draft your Will, you can nominate the executor of your choice for your estate. This is an important decision as the executor must be approved and appointed by the master of the high court. The executor is...
Guardianship
Did you know that passing away without a valid Will in place can be devastating for your dependants? Your children’s inheritance could pass to the government’s guardian’s fund or to the appointed guardian rather than to a trust that will ensure your wishes for them are carried out. That means you would lose control over...
What information should be included in your Will?
Your Last Will & Testament is one of the most important documents you will ever sign. Therefore, making sure you draft your Will properly & professionally ensures that you effectively plan for the unexpected and protect your loved ones from a disaster. What should your Will include? Who your beneficiaries will be. What items, assets,...
Who may sign as a witness on your Will?
Your Last Will & Testament is an extremely important document. That’s why it is paramount to make sure it is signed and witnessed correctly so it will be accepted by the master of the high court. Who may witness your Will? Anyone over the age of 14 who is competent to appear in court as...
What are the requirements for a valid Will
Nearly 75% of South Africans pass away without a valid Will in place. There are times when people draft or update their wills but they are deemed to be invalid by the courts and hence get rejected. This can be as disastrous as having no Will. For a Will to be valid in South Africa...
- 1
- 2