The 14-day reporting deadline
An estate must be reported to the Master of the High Court within 14 days of death. Missing it invites delays, penalties and frozen assets.
Deceased estates · South Africa
We wind up deceased estates properly — so your family isn't left waiting.
From reporting to the Master of the High Court within 14 days, through executorship, estate accounts and final distribution, our specialist team handles every step with precision, transparency and compassion.
- Hundreds
- of estates administered
- 14 days
- Master's Office reporting
- 6–18 months
- typical estate timeline
What goes wrong when an estate is handled without an attorney
Frozen bank accounts
Until Letters of Executorship are issued, nothing can be paid or transferred. We get the appointment moving immediately.
Family disputes
Unclear wills and intestate succession turn grief into conflict. Independent legal administration keeps the process fair and documented.
The seven steps of estate administration
Governed by the Administration of Estates Act and supervised by the Master of the High Court. We manage all of it, and tell you where things stand at every stage.
- 01
Reporting the estate
We prepare and lodge every document with the Master — death certificate, original will and the inventory of assets — within the statutory 14 days.
- 02
Appointment of executor
We secure the Letters of Executorship and explain the executor's duties and liabilities in plain language.
- 03
Asset identification and security
Property, shares, investments, cash and personal belongings are located, valued and secured against risk.
- 04
Creditor notices and estate accounts
Statutory notices are published, claims verified, and all debts, policies and tax liabilities identified.
- 05
Liquidation & distribution account
We draft and lodge the account for the Master's approval and manage the legally required inspection period.
- 06
Debts, SARS and fees settled
Creditors, SARS and administrative fees are paid from the estate before a cent is distributed.
- 07
Final distribution
Transfers and payments to heirs are arranged, release certificates issued and the estate formally concluded.
Why families and executors appoint us
- Extensive experience with high-value, complex and cross-border estates
- End-to-end service: reporting, compliance, tax, assets and distribution
- Regular written updates and clear timelines at every stage
- Title deed and property transfers handled in-house by conveyancers
- Guidance on intestate succession and will interpretation
- Representation in estate disputes and insolvent estates
Special situations we handle
- Wills and estate planning
- We assess the validity of the will and resolve ambiguous or disputed provisions.
- Intestate succession
- Where no will exists, we advise on lawful distribution under the Intestate Succession Act.
- Deceased estate property transfers
- Title deed transfers managed from beginning to end, within all legal timelines.
- Estate insolvency
- Where debts exceed assets, we protect heirs' interests and wind up the estate lawfully.
Frequently asked questions
Tell us about the estate. We'll take it from here.
Speak to an attorney today and leave with a clear plan: what must be lodged, what it will cost, and how long it should take.
Call (082) 834-5309