📜 Wills & Estate Planning
A will is one of the simplest, most affordable things you can do for the people you love. Here's why it matters, and where to find help.
⏸️ Without a will, everything stops first
The moment someone dies, their bank accounts are frozen — not even a spouse can access them until the Master of the High Court appoints someone to administer the estate. Without a will naming your own executor, the law decides who that is, and a fixed formula decides who inherits what. It's not chaos, but it's not your choice either.
What most people don't realise
If you die without a will and leave a spouse and children, your spouse inherits the greater of a child's share or R250,000 — not automatically everything.
Without a trust or clear will, a minor's inheritance is held by the state-run Guardian's Fund until they turn 18 — not managed the way you might choose.
An executor may charge up to 3.5% (plus VAT) of your estate's gross value to wind it up — naming someone you trust in your will lets you negotiate this in advance.
Estates under R3.5 million in net value currently pay no estate duty — larger estates are taxed at 20%, which is where estate planning (not just a will) can help.
Find a wills attorney
A small, vetted list rather than an overwhelming directory — we'd rather send you to three attorneys we trust than thirty we don't know.
Attorney / Firm Name
Short description of their focus — e.g. fixed-fee wills for individuals and couples, deceased estate administration, trusts.
ContactAttorney / Firm Name
Short description of their focus and any relevant specialisation.
ContactAttorney / Firm Name
Short description of their focus and any relevant specialisation.
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