Tag: inheritance

Death has no diary. It does not wait for neat files, updated passwords, or family harmony. It arrives when it arrives. And when it does, the executor steps in. In theory, it is a straightforward appointment. In practice, it is anything but. I have seen firsthand how often people underestimate this role. Appointing an executor is not a box-ticking exercise. It is one of the most important decisions in an estate plan. Yet it remains one of the least interrogated.

Most parents assume that leaving money to their children is enough to secure their future. However, how an inheritance is structured matters just as much as what is left behind. Without careful planning, children can become financially vulnerable. This vulnerability often stems from how assets are managed after a parent’s death, rather than from a lack of assets.

For many high-net-worth South Africans living and working abroad, the call of home is growing stronger. Whether prompted by family ties, lifestyle choices or a renewed focus on local business opportunities, the decision to return is often as emotional as it is practical.

For many South African farmers, a farm is more than an asset – it is a family legacy, a business and often the entirety of their net worth. However, when it comes to estate planning, one critical factor is often overlooked: liquidity. Without adequate liquid assets, heirs may encounter financial strain and operational challenges. In some cases, they may even be forced to sell the family farm to meet estate commitments.

The value of a well-drafted, updated will is in the spotlight again due to uncertainty surrounding Gene Hackman’s fortune. His estimated $80 million estate has raised questions about inheritance since his will does not name his three children.

Divorce, while undoubtedly difficult, is a common experience that many of us go through. Amid the emotional turmoil and the seemingly endless checklist of tasks, there is one crucial undertaking that often gets overlooked: and that is updating your will. This oversight can lead to unexpected consequences, especially when it comes to inheritance rights.

Losing a loved one is hard. It’s even more difficult to deal with such a loss in the face of long and complicated estate administration processes. It can become emotionally and financially taxing. In South Africa, it is not uncommon for a deceased estate to take two to five years to finalise.

Investing in an offshore retirement fund is one way of growing your wealth in a stable economy over the longer term, or even gaining residency in a foreign country. However, for South Africans, this scenario presents as many challenges as it does opportunities and should only be considered after consulting with a financial adviser and tax expert.

There comes a time in every successful entrepreneur’s life when he or she has to consider how best to transition to the preservation of the wealth they’ve built, not only for their own enjoyment, but also for the sake of the legacy they want to leave behind.

Between 70 and 80 percent of South Africans do not have a will to protect their loved ones in the event of their untimely death. Unfortunately, this will not only burden the surviving family members with unnecessary emotional and financial stress but will also delay them gaining access to their rightful inheritance.