National Wills Week: why the emphasis on wills?
It was National Wills Week for 2025 in South Africa from 15 to 19 September. The purpose of Wills Week is to educate South Africans about the importance of having a Will and to encourage them to draft a will. The importance of having a Will in South Africa: Your wishes as to where your […]
Health check for your will
Your last will and testament is one of the most important documents you’ll ever execute. While most of us would prefer not to talk about or plan for a time when we’re no longer around, your family will be grateful if you’ve seen to it that your affairs are in order and that your wishes […]
Paying it forward in Mandela month: creating a lasting family legacy
‘What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.’ With these words by the late Nelson Mandela top of mind this month, how can your family ensure a […]
6 reasons why your will should be drafted by a professional
By Tamryn de Villiers 1. Validity requirements To ensure that your Will meets all the requirements as per legislation in SA to be valid: You would not want your Will to be declared invalid after your death because it was not drafted correctly, with the result that your estate is administered according […]
7 Reasons your will could be out of date
You have signed a Will and it is with an institution in safe custody or in a safe place where your family members can find it if something unforeseen happens to you. Why should you give it another thought? Changes in circumstances or changes in legislation can cause your Will to be out of […]
Nominating a guardian for your minor children in your Will and practical implications to consider
One can nominate a guardian or guardians of your minor children in your Will who can be appointed as such upon the death of all legal guardians. When you nominate more than one person to be the guardians of your minor children, they will be co-guardians and will have to make all the decisions jointly. […]
Wills: Information and decisions to consider
When drafting a Will, certain information is required to ensure that all relevant information is taken into account in the estate planning process and important decisions will need to be made. The Will drafter will need to know your marital status and the details thereof, such as whether the marriage is in community of property […]
What happens to your social media accounts when you pass away?
Most people have at least one social media account, but what happens to your social media account when you pass away? Some social media platforms, like Facebook for example, have a setting where you can choose what must happen to your account after your death. You can either choose to have your account memorialised […]
Letter of Wishes: The what, why, when, when not, where and how
by Gina Lazarides What is a Letter of Wishes? A letter of wishes is a private document that is generally not enforceable and binding in law, which is written supplementary to a will and testament or a trust deed. It provides useful guidance as to the deceased’s wishes to executors, guardians and heirs […]
7 aspects to consider when you have offshore assets and why you may need a separate offshore Will
1. Probate Probate is the process by which a Will is authenticated by a court-supervised process. Not all assets will require a grant of probate. Having a separate Will dealing with your offshore assets means that your offshore assets and South African assets can be dealt with simultaneously. This will allow for the administration of […]