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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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59
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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142
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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45
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
59
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
142
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
45
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: Wills and estates
How should co-executors of a deceased estate act?

14 December 2021

My mother and I have been appointed as co-executors of my late father’s estate. My mother wants to sell our... family home, but I don’t want to. She has however gone ahead and signed a sale agreement without my consent. Can she do this and sell the house without my approval?

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534
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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488
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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656
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

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