Estate Administration Checklist

A step-by-step checklist for families after a death, showing what to do first, who reports the estate to the Master of the High Court, and what documents are needed.

What you will need

Date of death (date): From the death certificate or notification of death.
Is there a will? (text): Yes, No or Not sure.
Rough value of everything the person owned (R): Property, cars, bank accounts, policies paid to the estate. An estimate is fine.
Was the person married, and how? (text): In community of property, out of community, customary, or not married.
Are any heirs under 18? (text): Money for minors may need to go to the Guardian's Fund or a trust.

How it works

report_by = date_of_death + 14 days (death usually has to be reported to the Master within 14 days; confirm). Checklist order: 1 obtain death certificate from Home Affairs; 2 search for original will (attorney, bank, home); 3 report estate to the Master's office with death notice, original will, inventory and relevant forms; 4 if estimated_value is below the Master's threshold for smaller estates (commonly understood to be R250 000, confirm with the Master), show 'The Master may issue letters of authority instead of letters of executorship, which is usually simpler'; otherwise show 'An executor will be appointed and letters of executorship issued'; 5 do not sell, give away or use estate assets before appointment; 6 notify banks, insurers, employer and pension funds; 7 executor advertises for creditors; 8 liquidation and distribution account is prepared and lies open for inspection; 9 distribution. If will_exists = No: show note on the Intestate Succession Act. If minor_heirs = Yes: show note on the Guardian's Fund or a testamentary trust.

What you get

Report the estate to the Master by
Likely route (letters of authority or executorship)
Your step-by-step checklist

What it means

A smaller estate can often be wound up with less formality, but the Master still has to be involved.
A formal estate administration is likely, often taking many months.
The law of intestate succession will decide who inherits.

Next step: Want help interpreting this? Contact the Master of the High Court's office, an estates attorney or a fiduciary practitioner, or Legal Aid SA for guidance.

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