Introduction Planning for the “after-party” of life isn’t exactly a Sunday braai conversation. It’s a bit like buying insurance, you hope you never have to use it, but you’ll be glad you have it when “life” decides to happen. In South Africa, the difference between a Will and a Trust is the difference between leaving...Read More

Introduction We’ve all seen the movies. Someone throws a glass of expensive scotch, screams “I’ll see you in court!” and walks out into a waiting limousine. In South Africa, the reality is usually a bit more… administrative. It involves less scotch-throwing and significantly more paperwork. If you’re at the point where “Netflix and Chill” has...Read More

1. Introduction Marriage is not only a union of hearts but also a legal and financial partnership governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. The choice of a marital regime determines how spouses’ assets, liabilities, and financial interests will be managed during the marriage and upon its dissolution through death or divorce....Read More

The Risk of Dying Without a Valid Will In South Africa, dying intestate, that is, without leaving a valid will, results in the deceased’s estate being distributed in accordance with the Intestate Succession Act 81 of 1987. This statutory framework operates on a fixed formula, which often bears little resemblance to the wishes of the...Read More