Tag: Master of the High Court

The need for trust within the banking sector has, in recent years, never been more important than it is today. Recent times have seen the South African banking public being exposed to news of bank failures elsewhere and if that was not enough worry for the consumers, their stresses are further aggravated by their inability to meet their repayment obligations to their creditors brought about by the rising global cost of living crisis and the ongoing energy crisis.

The passing of a loved one is always a traumatic experience. Not being prepared for the financial realities can add more anxiety to an already painful and stressful time in your family’s life. According to Statistics South Africa, more than 70% of South Africans don’t have a last will and testament. I suggest that you get your estate plans in order as soon as possible. You never quite know when your time is up.

Although a will is essential, holistic estate planning ensures that the next generation has financial freedom. This may seem obvious and straightforward, but there are many considerations and legalities that can make this process hard to navigate on your own. 

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.

Estate planning means making a plan for taking care of your nearest and dearest and dealing with everything you own and owe when you pass away. A will or testament is a legal document where you leave instructions on how you want your family to be taken care of, and who will inherit assets like property, jewellery, cars or investments that you own.

The most recent estimates by the Master of the High Court are that as many as 70% of South Africans do not have a legally executable will. What this means is that for many South Africans, the death of a family member or loved one is surrounded by confusion, disarray and conflict.

Right now, over 4.14 million people around the world have succumbed to COVID-19 - and over 84,000 of those deaths happened right here in South Africa. As we navigate a third COVID-19 wave, South Africans are starting to come to terms with their own mortality.

As a result of the pandemic, women are more financially exposed than ever. According to our latest Household Financial Wellness Insights, released together with UNISA, women who make up 51.1% of the South African population, were hardest hit by the lockdown.

The loss of a family member or a loved one is a challenging and an emotional life experience. The days and months following the death of a loved one can often go by in a blur. Help and guidance are essential for families to get their affairs swiftly in order. Putting financial issues off to later will not only leave families with unnecessary financial constraints but it can also lengthen the process of winding up an estate.

The current chaos and squabble amongst the Zulu Royal family following the recent death of King Goodwill Zwelithini might have been avoided had his Will complied strictly with the requirements of the Wills Act. At this time, while the reporting coming out is not entirely clear, and it might well be that omissions and problems may have been overstated or miscommunicated, the truth will be clearer once the Will is made public.