Each person should have their own file as your estate is individual. This applies to couples that are married in community of property also.

Yes, if you do not have a life partner or spouse, you must enter your next of kin’s details here. (Your next of kin is your closest living blood relative)

At least every 6 months. Should there be major changes in your life such as moving home, marriage or divorce, update your file immediately. Remember to check and update your Will at the same time.

The document contains all relevant information your executor requires to hand in to the Master of the Court after your death. Ensure that you have all the required supporting documents (originals or copies) filed in your actual hard file as well, and upload scanned copies to your digital version. Although not all documents in this file are required for submittal to the Master, they serve as validation to your Executor of the information you provided.

Yes, and it is highly recommended that you do. Use the Document tab in your digital version and name the documents that you are uploading. You are limited to 500 MB so don’t use this facility to upload your family pictures, and reduce file sizes before uploading.  Disaster may lead to the loss of original documents and having a digital copy means you or your executor can download and print them when required.

Yes. Your executor may not have immediate access to your actual hard file and will be able to download your latest updated digital document plus all supporting documents you uploaded. You need to ensure that your executor is aware of your file and has access to it by giving him your log-in details (your email address and password).

Only if your Executor/family member has access to your safe, which is not always the case. Keep the file where it is easily accessible e.g. in your study.

It is preferable to have the original coy of your Will in your hard file, but if you prefer to keep it elsewhere, ensure that Your Executor or a member of our family knows where it is and has access to it.  A scanned copy of your signed Will should be uploaded to your digital file whenever you make changes to it.

It is a document in which a person makes sure that his/her belongings are distributed in accordance with his/her wishes after his/her death.

Having a will means that you, rather that the states laws, decide who gets your property when you die, who looks after your minor children, etc.  Every adult person over the age of 18 should have a will.

If you die without leaving a valid will, you die intestate. This means that the state’s intestacy laws will determine who inherits your estate. This means that your estate will be divided amongst your surviving spouse, children, parents or siblings according to a set formula determined by the state. If no blood relatives can be found, the state normally takes control of the assets.

An executor (or executrix) of an estate is an individual appointed to administer the estate of a deceased person. The executor’s main duty is to carry out the instructions to manage the affairs and wishes of the deceased person’s estate. The important thing is that you involve someone you trust to oversee the process and represent your family’s interests.

Yes, you can nominate your spouse, an adult child, a family member or a friend, and your executor can certainly inherit from the estate.

A parent, which includes a father or mother of a minor child is recognized by law as the guardian.  In your will you appoint a guardian in the event that both parents are deceased.

NO. You and your 2 witnesses, who may NOT be named as heirs in your will, must all be present  in the same place at the same time. You need to sign each page of your will in front of them. They do not need to know the content of your will. They merely sign in witness to your signature at that given place and time. NOTE that a will needs to be signed and witnessed to be valid.