Estate lawyers in South Africa handle legal matters concerning wills, trusts, and estates. They help clients create wills, establish trusts, and plan their estates, ensuring proper asset distribution and fulfillment of their wishes after their passing.
Explore the diverse array of services offered by our carefully selected estate lawyers, designed to tackle the unique complexities and challenges of estate law and secure the best possible outcomes for your estate matters.
A will is a legal document that outlines the distribution of assets after death, while a trust is a legal entity that manages assets for the benefit of designated beneficiaries. Trusts can be established during one's lifetime or through a will upon death.
Probate is the legal procedure for administering a deceased person's estate, which involves distributing assets, settling debts and taxes, validating the will, appointing an executor, and identifying and inventorying assets before distributing them to beneficiaries.
Although it is possible to create a will or trust without an estate lawyer, it is highly recommended to seek professional assistance. Estate lawyers ensure the legal validity of documents, accurately reflect your wishes, and prevent potential issues that could arise during the probate process.
A power of attorney is a legal document that designates someone to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. It is an integral part of estate planning, ensuring that your affairs can be managed if you are unable to make decisions yourself.
Certainly, an estate plan can be changed or updated as circumstances or wishes change. Regular review and updates are crucial, especially after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the acquisition of substantial assets.
An executor, appointed in a will, is responsible for managing the deceased's estate. This includes gathering assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to beneficiaries. The executor has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the estate and ensure the decedent's wishes are carried out.
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