The Process to Wind up a Deceased Estate

• If your loved one passed away in a hospital, the medical practitioner will complete a BI-1663 form (notification of death) to certify the death. You will receive a copy.  If your loved one did not pass away in a hospital, the mortician will complete the form and hand it to the next of kin. You must take the BI-1663 form, with the deceased’s original valid South African identity card to the Department of Home Affairs who issues a death certificate. The funeral home or the Department of Home Affairs stamps ‘Deceased’ on the identity card or document of the deceased and punches a hole in the identity card.

• The estate of a deceased person must be reported to the Master of the High Court’s office in the area where the deceased lived. within 14 days from date of death. The following documents, where applicable, will also be required:

• An original or certified copy of the Death Certificate and Identity Document.
• An original or certified copy of the marriage certificate.
• A declaration of marriage by the surviving spouse indicating the type of marriage.
• The original will and any annexures that may apply.
• A completed next-of-kin affidavit if there is no will in place.
• A completed inventory form.
• A declaration to confirm that the estate has not been reported at another Master’s office.
•  
• For estates valued at more than R250 000:

• If an executor is not specified in the will of the deceased, the Master will appoint one on the deceased’s behalf. The family may also nominate an executor if there is no will.

• The person nominated to wind up the estate (the executor or his or her agent – normally a lawyer, accountant, or trust company) reports the estate at the offices of the Master, who issues Letters of Executorship in favour of the executor or executrix, authorising him or her wind up the estate.

• For estates valued at less than R250 000

• The Master will appoint a Master’s representative and will issue Letters of Authority (where the requirements are less stringent).

• On receipt of the Letters of Executorship, the executor arranges the publication of a notice to creditors in a local newspaper and government gazette, inviting them to submit any claims against the estate, within 30 days.

• Within 6 months of the issuing of the Letters of Executorship, the executor must submit an estate account (liquidation and distribution account) to the Master. This account gives effect to the wishes of the deceased in his will (or the laws of intestacy if there is no will).

• Once the Master approves the account, the executor has it advertised and that it lies for inspection for 21 days. If no objections are received within 21 days, he or she pays out the heirs and beneficiaries, and transfers any fixed property.

The following words are commonly used when dealing with deceased estates:

• Estate – the deceased’s assets and liabilities property at the time of his or her death
• Testator – a man who makes a will
• Testatrix – a woman who makes a will
• Dying testate – when a person dies leaving a will
• Dying intestate – when a person dies without leaving a will
• Executor – a man who distributes the estate under a will
• Executrix – a woman who distributes the estate under a will
• Letters of Executorship – letters issued by the Master, authorising the executor to wind up the estate

An executor makes sure that a deceased’s last wishes are adhered to regarding the distribution of his/her property and possessions.

He or she must also ensure that all the deceased’s debts are paid off. Any remaining money or property (called the residue) can then be distributed according to the deceased’s will or, if there is no will, in accordance with the Intestate Succession Act, 81 of 1987.