When someone dies - reporting an estate to the Master of the High Court within 14 days

In the weeks after a death, families in South Africa face a legal deadline that many do not know about. A deceased estate must be reported to the Master of the High Court within 14 days of the death, normally at the Master's office for the area where the person lived. CallMyLawyer, a free lawyer directory listing 892 firms that handle wills and estates, explains the first steps.

What reporting an estate involves

Reporting an estate means lodging the death notice and supporting documents with the Master, together with the original will if there is one. The Master then appoints an executor by issuing letters of executorship. For smaller estates, a simpler letter of authority may be issued instead. The executor is responsible for collecting assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing what is left to the heirs.

Documents families usually need

• the death certificate and the deceased's ID document
• the original will, if there is one
• the marriage certificate and any antenuptial contract
• a list of assets, bank accounts, policies and debts

If there is no will

When a person dies without a valid will, the estate is divided under the Intestate Succession Act. A surviving spouse receives the greater of a child's share or a minimum amount set by the Minister. The rest goes to children and other relatives in a set order. Disputes are common, which is why drawing up a valid will matters.

Why many families use an attorney

Winding up an estate involves the Master, SARS, banks and sometimes the deeds registry if property is transferred to heirs. Executors can charge a fee capped by regulation, and families can ask in advance how fees are calculated. An attorney is especially useful where there is property, a business, debt or a dispute between heirs.

Find the right Master's office

CallMyLawyer's town pages for wills and estates show the closest Master of the High Court office, with its address and approximate distance. The wills and estates guide explains wills, executors, estate duty and the full process in plain language, with links to official sources.

This article is general information and not legal advice.

About CallMyLawyer

CallMyLawyer (callmylawyer.co.za) is a free South African lawyer directory. It lists 1,073 law firms in 171 towns across all nine provinces, grouped into 20 practice areas, and 840 of those firms have a researched profile written from their own websites and official sources. The directory does not give legal advice and does not take a share of legal fees. CallMyLawyer is built and run by Mansa Digital (Pty) Ltd, a digital agency based in Roodepoort, Gauteng.