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...
Many people put off drafting their wills because they perceive it as a costly endeavor. However, it’s important to understand that the expenses associated with drafting a will can fluctuate significantly depending on various factors. These factors include the complexity of the will itself and the choice of service provider. It’s essential to consider these...
A last Will & testament is a legal document outlining one’s estate distribution wishes upon death. In estate planning, ensuring assets distribute as desired is crucial. Understanding the Components of a Last Will & Testament A typical last Will & testament contains several key components: Identification of Beneficiaries: The Will specifies who will inherit your...
Tax is unavoidable even at death. That is why understanding the various taxes that your estate could be liable for is an important part of estate planning. Estate duty is a tax charged on the transfer of assets from the deceased estate to their beneficiaries. If the deceased is a resident in South Africa, their...
We have been discussing the pitfalls you can experience without proper estate planning. In pitfall 2 we mentioned all the legal fees that will need to be covered by your estate or beneficiaries. Today we would like to tell you about other fees that will be due to wind up your estate. The additional fees include:...
When you pass away it takes some time to wind up your estate. During this period (which can be a few months), your beneficiaries may be left without income. They may be worried about funeral expenses, bond repayments, school fees or other expenses and are reliant upon receiving payment from your life policy. If the...
Along with the heartache of death, the cost of dying brings additional burdens in the form of legal fees and expenses. These financial responsibilities must be managed by your loved ones, adding to their stress during an already difficult time. Understanding these costs can help you plan better and ease the burden on your family....
Your will is probably the most important document that you will ever sign. Too many put off this important task until it is too late, which can have devastating consequences for loved ones. Here are five top consequences of not having a valid will: 1. You won’t be able to decide who inherits what and...
