Deceased Estate Administration

In the past couple of months more and more individuals have been exposed to the loss of a close relative, friend or partner as a result of the COvid-19 pandemic.

We have also noticed a lot of queries on social media pertaining to which procedures to follow when someone has passed away? Most individuals don't know what to do, or where to start and they end up leaving everything as is.

This can be extremely detrimental to the living spouse or even in the case where there is one or two properties involved, as this property/ies will have to be transferred into the new owners name as soon as possible.

We would like to create a scenario which we is becoming more common due to the lack of information at hand;

"The husband passed away three (3) years ago and the wife (spouse) was the only living relative who inherited everything as they were married in community of property. Nothing changed and the death of the husband was never reported to the Masters Office, nor was the property transferred into his wife (spouse's) name.

The wife then passed away two (2) years later and the estate was passed over to their only child who took care of the mom / wife in her last days. The son is now caught in a predicament whereby he has to settle two (2) deceased estates, and transfer the property before he can legally own the property and his parents belongings in this particular scenario.

This causes delays as each will / estate has to be reported individually, which has a cost implication."

We would like to urge individuals to approach us, or the Executor of the estate the minute someone passes away as their are specific protocols to follow.

For more information, please feel free to contact us via email on: bonafido@vodamail.co.za or call us on: 081 819 4723.