A simple letter of direction or “assets log” can greatly assist your Executor to fulfil their role in the best, and most efficient way. The more your Executor knows about your Estate, the more he/she can gather the information themselves, without a great deal of expense incurred to your Estate during the information gathering process.

The starting point for a discussion about digital signatures in the context of South African law is the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECT Act) which was passed in 2002. The ECT Act started with the basic premise that digital communications are no less valid than paper based communications.

South Africa and the United Kingdom entered into an agreement in 1978, otherwise known as a Double Taxation Agreement. This agreement is to eliminate double taxation in relation to Estate Duty (Inheritance Tax).

Whether you are the buyer or the seller of property, one of you is going to be paying SARS - be sure to clarify before you enter into the sale exactly who is liable for what.

Assets in South Africa need to be managed by an executor legally authorised Master of the High Court. It’s important to be cognisant of implications in the legal administration of Deceased Estates.

Here’s a short guide to help ensure that your documents for use outside South Africa are legally valid.

When planning to buy property in South Africa, you need to be aware of the costs involved ahead of your property search. Here we outline the main costs, which vary depending on a number of factors.

An Apostille is a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document. This article explains when you need an Apostille.

In order to bring a sense of calm during this period of panic, it is recommended that you get your affairs in order and seek professional assistance, legal, financial and tax, relating to your estate as a whole. We are specialist private client attorneys and we are here to help you through this tumultuous time.

Choosing an executor can be stressful, particularly if you have more than one child, a complicated estate (i.e., many assets or debts), or you anticipate conflict among your beneficiaries. Here are some guidelines you can follow to facilitate the process.