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To renounce or not to renounce a benefit in terms of a will?

02 April 2024,  Puleng Valentine Tladi

In terms of your will, your surviving spouse and descendants, are entitled to inherit and one of your children decides... to renounce his or her share, the surviving spouse shall inherit that portion of that inheritance, which was declined by the descendant.

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58
Article

Who inherits under a Deceased Estate when there is no Will?

02 April 2024,  Sinethemba Mashego

It is society's norm to transfer generational wealth and to engage in the re-allotment of wealth. However, some people are ... uninformed about the rules that govern the re-allotment of wealth when they have not drafted a will. 

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139
Article

Understanding the Distinction between Living Wills and Last Wills and Testaments

02 April 2024,  André Styger

While both documents are essential components of comprehensive estate planning, they serve distinct purposes and address different aspects of an... individual's life and well-being. This article explores the definitions, functions, and legal implications of living wills and last wills, shedding light on the significance of each in ensuring the wishes and intentions of individuals are respected in both life and death.

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43
Article

When can a Will be challenged?

02 April 2024,  Melody Sithole

A Will can be described as a document that expresses the last wishes of an individual about how their property... must be distributed when they die. The document must be written, signed and formal.  The last wishes can be challenged in the following situations:

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44
Article

To renounce or not to renounce a benefit in terms of a will?

02 April 2024,  Puleng Valentine Tladi

In terms of your will, your surviving spouse and descendants, are entitled to inherit and one of your children decides... to renounce his or her share, the surviving spouse shall inherit that portion of that inheritance, which was declined by the descendant.

READ MORE
58
Article

Who inherits under a Deceased Estate when there is no Will?

02 April 2024,  Sinethemba Mashego

It is society's norm to transfer generational wealth and to engage in the re-allotment of wealth. However, some people are ... uninformed about the rules that govern the re-allotment of wealth when they have not drafted a will. 

READ MORE
139
Article

Understanding the Distinction between Living Wills and Last Wills and Testaments

02 April 2024,  André Styger

While both documents are essential components of comprehensive estate planning, they serve distinct purposes and address different aspects of an... individual's life and well-being. This article explores the definitions, functions, and legal implications of living wills and last wills, shedding light on the significance of each in ensuring the wishes and intentions of individuals are respected in both life and death.

READ MORE
43
Article

When can a Will be challenged?

02 April 2024,  Melody Sithole

A Will can be described as a document that expresses the last wishes of an individual about how their property... must be distributed when they die. The document must be written, signed and formal.  The last wishes can be challenged in the following situations:

READ MORE
44
Article
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Filter: Family
Appeal Court settles debate on when you can claim arrear maintenance

13 April 2022

A friend of yours has been divorced for a few years now. Her ex was supposed to pay maintenance, but... it wasn’t long before he started paying less and less and then eventually stopped. Your friend was just too fearful of conflict to do anything about it and continued to raise her kids by herself. Now however, money is tight and she is wondering if there is anything she can do to get her ex to pay the maintenance he should have paid?

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446
Article
Can adopted children benefit from a family trust?

14 June 2021

Sometime before his death, my father established a family trust which contained properties that were rented out to generate income... for my mother. In accordance with the trust deed however, once my mother dies, the income from the properties would go to the children of my mother and father. I have an adopted brother and 2 biological sisters. There is now a debate as to whether my adopted brother also qualifies to benefit from the family trust. What is the legal position?

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487
Article
Can an email qualify as a last will?

14 June 2021

My aunt recently passed away suddenly due to Covid-19. In the hunt for her will, it transpired that she had... sent an email to her attorney in which she had asked for amendments to be made to her will and for some of the beneficiaries to be removed. The attorney confirmed that he had not had opportunity to draft a new will before my aunt passed. Can her email be seen as her valid last wishes?

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655
Article
When do maintenance obligations prescribe?

20 May 2021

My ex-husband has for some time now not paid his maintenance as per the court order. Because I had a... job and was earning a basic income, I just left it as I didn’t want the hassle of trying to get him to pay. Now I’ve been retrenched and have asked him to pay his outstanding maintenance, but he refuses and says his attorney told him that his obligation to pay has prescribed. Surely this can’t be right?

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490
Article
Who can inherit from a child’s estate?

10 February 2021

I have a friend who has been looking after her grandson since birth when her daughter just walked out on... the child after he was born with deformities. My friend managed to obtain a settlement with the hospital for negligence during the birth and now takes care of the child using the money from the settlement. The child is very sick and may not have much time left with the biological mother suddenly making an appearance to try and claim the remainder of the settlement money. Surely my friend is entitled to the money having taken care of the child all her life? What is the position in law?

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580
Article
What leave is a father entitled to at the birth of his child?

12 February 2019

My wife is due to give birth in two months. I've seen media reports that a father is now entitled... to longer paternity leave, but when I approached my employer to find out I was informed that I am only entitled to three days family responsibility leave. What is the current position?

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570
Article

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