Estate Administration Tools

Access our complete suite of free resources for South African deceased estates.

🧮 Estate Duty Calc 📋 Master's Checklist 📄 Required Documents 📝 Draft J243 ⚖️ Intestate Calc 📈 CGT at Death 📊 Draft L&D Account 🏠 Property Transfer Costs 🛡️ Trust Compliance

Immediate Steps After a Death

Use this checklist to track your progress and calculate Master's Office delays based on your estate's complexity.

Configure Your Target Dates

Date of Death (Optional):

Master's Office:

Estate Complexities (Check all that apply):

Under R250k (Sec 18) No Valid Will (Intestate) Includes Property Includes Business/Shares Overseas Beneficiaries Family Dispute / Contested

Region

Status

Expected Letters of Executorship (LOE):

Expected L&D Account Review:

Regional Context:

0% Completed

Phase 1: The First 48 Hours Select Date of Death

Obtain the Notice of Death (DHA-1663)Issued by the attending doctor, hospital, or a traditional leader. You cannot proceed without it.

Engage a Registered UndertakerThey will assist you with officially registering the death at the Department of Home Affairs.

Get the Official Death CertificateAsk for at least 5-10 certified copies immediately. You will need them for every bank and insurer.

Locate the Original WillThe Master of the High Court requires the original signed Last Will and Testament. If no will exists, calculate the intestate distribution here.

Identify the Nominated ExecutorCheck the Will. If there is no Will, the family will need to nominate an Executor together.

Phase 2: The First Week Select Date of Death

Secure Physical AssetsLock the house, secure vehicles. Do not give anything away yet, even if promised in the Will.

Notify the BanksSubmit certified death certificates. Note: This will legally freeze the deceased's accounts.

Notify Employer & Medical AidStop salary payments, process group life benefits, and update medical aid dependents.

Contact Short-Term InsurersEnsure house and car insurance premiums continue to be paid.

Phase 3: Master's Lodgement Prep Select Date of Death

Gather Certified ID CopiesCertified copy of the deceased’s ID and the nominated Executor’s ID.

Gather Marriage DocumentsMarriage Certificate, divorce order, or Ante-Nuptial Contract (ANC).

Draft Preliminary Inventory (J243)A rough list of all known assets and debts to submit to the Master's office. Use our free J243 drafting tool here.

Lodge File at Master's Office (ICMS)Upload digitally and deliver the physical file to obtain your Estate Number.

Phase 4: Waiting for Authority Select Date of Death

Master Issues Letters of ExecutorshipThe official document granting the executor the legal right to act. (Significant delays expected here).

Open Estate Late Bank AccountRequired to consolidate cash and pay creditors.

Publish Section 29 AdvertsNotice to creditors in the Govt Gazette and local paper (Runs for 30 days).

Phase 5: L&D Account Select Date of Death

Submit L&D Account to MasterThe Liquidation & Distribution (L&D) Account is the ultimate financial report showing how all debts will be paid and how the remaining assets will be divided among heirs. Use our free L&D drafting tool here.

Master Approves L&D AccountThe Master reviews the account and issues queries if necessary. (Significant delays expected here).

Publish Section 35 AdvertsNotice that the account has lain for inspection without objection (Runs for 21 days).

Phase 6: Finalisation Select Date of Death

Pay Master's Fees & Estate DutySettle final accounts with SARS and the Master.

Obtain SARS Compliance CertificateCrucial step before distribution. While the official SLA is 21 days, expect 2-3 months.

Distribute InheritancesTransfer properties and pay out cash to heirs according to the Will or Intestate law.

Obtain Final DischargeThe Master issues a filing slip, officially closing the estate and releasing the executor.

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