When a loved one dies, dealing with their estate can feel overwhelming. In South Africa, there’s a legal process to make sure everything is handled fairly and properly. This guide walks you through the key steps.

Step 1: Register the Death

• The first thing to do is register the death with the Department of Home Affairs. This is usually done by the funeral parlour, who will obtain the death certificate for you.
• The death certificate is needed for all the steps that follow.

Step 2: Report the Estate

• The estate must be reported to the Master of the High Court in the area where the person lived.
• You’ll need documents like the death certificate, ID of the deceased, marriage certificate and Antenuptial Contract, if applicable, and the original Will (if the Will is with Appleton, the original is held securely by us in safe keeping).
• On the death of a loved one, if their Will is held with Appleton, we will provide you with a list of documents required to report a deceased estate to assist you with compiling all applicable documents.

Step 3: Appoint an Executor

• The executor is the person who manages the estate.
• Your Will will nominate the executor. If your Will is with Appleton Fiduciary Services, a director or nominee of Appleton will take up the appointment as Executor.

Step 4: Open an Estate Bank Account

• The executor opens a bank account just for the estate.
• All money going in or out of the estate must go through this account.

Step 5: Advertise the Estate for Creditors

• Notices are placed in the local newspaper and Government Gazette.
• This lets creditors (people owed money) know they can claim what they’re owed from the estate.
• The claim period is 30 days.

Step 6: Collect information regarding assets and liabilities

• The executor gathers all information regarding the deceased’s assets—like property, vehicles and investments.
• They also ascertain details of any debts, including taxes.

Step 7: Prepare the Liquidation and Distribution Account (L&D)

• The executor drafts a Liquidation and Distribution Account.
• This details the assets and liabilities and how the estate will be distributed among the heirs.
• The account is submitted to the Master for his examination and acceptance and made available for public inspection.

Step 8: Advertise the Estate L&D

• Once the L&D Account has been accepted by the Master, the executor places a notice in the local newspaper and Government Gazette advising all interested parties that the account is lying open for inspection for the statutory period of 21 days.

Step 9: Distribute the Estate

• Once the advertisement period has expired and the L&D Account has lain open for inspection, free from objection, the executor may distribute the estate assets.
• Creditors are paid, and the assets and cash due to the beneficiaries are transferred/paid.

Step 10: Finalise the Estate

• The executor must obtain a Deceased Estate Compliance Letter from SARS before being able to finalise the administration of an estate.
• Proof of transfer of assets and confirmation of distribution to the beneficiaries is provided to the Master.
• The Master then closes the estate officially by issuing a “Filing Slip”.

This process can take several months, depending on the size and complexity of the estate.

If you're unsure about anything, please do not hesitate to speak to your Wealth Specialist or Financial Advisor or contact Appleton on 0800 50 60 70 or clientcare@appleton.com