Welcome to our Deceased Estates department!

What are the steps in the administration process?

The administration of a Deceased Estate (over R250 000-00) may take several months to complete. We will attend to the various legal requirements, guide and assist you through the entire process

1. Obtain all the required documents and information (see below) to report estate with Master.
2. Apply for the Letters of Executorship / Authority from the Master.
3. Advertise for creditors and debtors in local newspaper and Government Gazette.
4. Report and deal with assets (as determined in the Will or as instructed by the heirs).
5. Compile a Liquidation- and Distribution Account (indicting all the assets, liabilities, costs, who the heirs are and what each will receive).
6. Lodge the Liquidation- and Distribution Account with the Master for approval.
7. Advertise the Liquidation- and Distribution Account in local newspaper and Government Gazette.
8. Pay creditors and heirs and transfer immovable property.
9. Lodge final documents and obtain release from duties from the Master.

Which documents are needed to report an estate to the Master ?

- Original Will (if any)

- Identity document of deceased

- Death Certificate

- Marriage Certificate (if applicable)

- Antenuptial Agreement (if applicable)

- Identity document of Executor / Representative of Estate

- Completed Death Notice Form – J294

- Completed Next-of-Kin Affidavit – J192 (if the deceased did not leave a valid will or did not mention heirs by their names in the Will)

- Completed Inventory form – J243, showing all the assets of the deceased

- Nominations by the heirs for the appointment of an executor in the case of an intestate estate, or where no executor has been nominated in the will, or the nominated executor has died or declines the appointment.

- For estates more than R250 000-00: Acceptance of Trust as Executor – J190

- For estates less than R250 000-00: Acceptance of Master’s Directions – J155

- Undertaking and bond of security – J262 (unless the nominated executor has been exempted from providing security in the will, or is the parent, spouse or child of the deceased)

List of information and documentation required

Depending of what is in the Estate, we will require the following information and documentation.

1. Proof of last address of Deceased
2. Proof of address of Executor
3. Marriage Certificate
4. Antenuptial Agreement
5. Details of all bank accounts and investments
6. Details of all shares and share certificates
7. Title Deeds of Property
8. Bond Information
9. Insurance information
10. Motor vehicle information
11. List of valuable movable assets (furniture, household effects etc.)
12. Income tax information
13. All other account details e.g. TV license, Municipality, Medical Aid, M-Net/Multi Choice etc.
14. Pension details
15. Details of Life Policy, Retirement Annuity, and other policies
16. Names, addresses, phone numbers, banking details of all heirs,
together with copies of their identity documents, banking details and proof of addresses.
17. Names and contact details of all creditors
18. Names and contact details of all debtors
19. Details regarding funeral costs and paid by whom
20. Details of accountant responsible for income tax returns

What costs and taxes are involved?

It is important to know what costs may be involved in order plan the administration of the Estate and ensure that there is enough cash available in the Estate to pay for the costs and liabilities.

Funeral costs

- Estimated between R8 000-00 and R25 000-00.
- Consider a Funeral Policy to cover the funeral costs
- If the costs are paid by an heir, it can be refunded from the estate

Master's fees payable to the master of the high court.

- Estates less than R250 000-00: no fees are payable
- Estates between R250 000-00 and R400 000-00: R600-00
- Estates more that R400 00-00: R600-00 plus a further R200-00 for every R100 000-00 (or portion thereof) of estate value up to a maximum fee of R7 000-00 (which will be reached at an estate value of R3 600 000-00).

Advertising costs

- Estates less than R250 000-00: no advertisements are required
- Estates more than R250 000-00: approximately R1 500-00

Executors fees

Plus VAT (if applicable), is calculated on the gross value of the estate (all the assets)

- 3.5% of all the assets

- 6% of all income received after death

- Our fees are less due to our business structure. Contact us for a quotation.

Bond of security costs

Are calculated on the gross value of the estate (all the assets)

- A percentage of approximately 0,684%
- Can be prevented if the executor is exempted in the Will from security, or if a spouse or child is appointed as executor

Sworn valuations

- A percentage of the value of the asset, calculated on a sliding scale starting at R500-00 up to R76 200-00 (for estate of a R100 million)
- Only needed if Master requires sworn valuations or estate duty is payable.

Estate duty (tax)

This is calculated on the net value of the estate (all the assets less all the liabilities and allowed deductions)

- Estates less than R3 500 000-00: no estate duty
- Estates inherited by spouse: no estate duty
- Estates more than R3 500 000-00: 20% of the portion over R3 500 000-00 up to R30 million
- Estates more than R3 500 000-00: an additional 25% of the portion over R30 million

Final income tax returns

Fees of Accountant estimated between R600-00 and R2 500-00 per tax year required

Capital gains tax

- Effectively 18% of the capital gain on all non-exempt capital assets
- R300 000-00 death exclusion

Transfer costs of fixed propery

- No transfer duty is payable if transferred to an heir
- Conveyancer’s fees are calculated on value of property transferred, and may be between R5 000-00 up to R49 660-00 (on a property of R5 million. Contact us for a quote.
- Deeds Office costs are calculated on value of property transferred, and may be between R39-00 up to R5 435-00 (on a property of R20 million)
- Other transfer costs (such as Transfer duty exemptions, clearance certificates) approximately R3 300-00
- If property is sold out of the estate, the Purchaser normally pays the Transfer costs and fees.

BOND CANCELLATION COSTS

In respect of bonds registered over fixed property in the estate.

- Payable by estate, even if property is sold
- Estimated R4 800-00