Wills & Estates
Making a will in South Africa: practical checklist
A practical starting point for preparing information before having a will drafted or reviewed.
Formalities matter
The Department of Justice states that wills must be in writing and describes signing and witnessing requirements. A will that does not comply with formal requirements can create serious difficulties.
Prepare the essentials
Gather your identification details, intended beneficiaries, significant assets and liabilities, preferred executor, instructions concerning minor beneficiaries and guardian wishes where relevant.
Keep the original safe
The Department of Justice advises keeping the original will safe. A copy should not be treated as a substitute for the original signed document.
Important: This is general information, not legal advice. Laws, procedures and deadlines can change, and the facts of an individual matter must be considered.