Individuals

Wills

A will is a legal declaration of what happens to your property after your death — and who carries out your wishes.

— Wills

Why should you have a will?

A will is a legal declaration which lays out the fate of your property after your death. It names one or more people to manage your estate, and sets out who receives your property and in what amounts.

When a person dies without a will, they are said in law to have died intestate. Rather than the estate being distributed according to their wishes, the law takes over and the intestacy rules apply.

If You Die Without a Will

How the intestacy rules divide an estate

Without a will, South African intestacy rules determine who inherits — often not as you would have chosen.

Only surviving spouse — the total estate goes to the spouse.
Only descendants — the total estate is divided between descendants.
Spouse and descendants — the estate is divided between the spouse and descendants, the spouse receiving a child's share (R125 000) or a child's portion, whichever is greater.
One parent and descendants of a predeceased parent — half to the surviving parent, the balance shared among those descendants.
Both parents surviving — the estate is divided equally between both parents.
No spouse, descendants or parents — the estate goes to the blood relatives nearest in degree of relationship.

A no-obligation consultation

We offer a no-obligation consultation to discuss planning for this inevitable event. As much as none of us like to think about it, proper planning makes things easier during a difficult time and ensures your wishes are fulfilled.

Call us on 039 311 2100, email admin@bekkerinvestments.co.za, or send a message via our contact form.

Ensure your wishes are fulfilled.

Arrange a no-obligation consultation to put a will in place.