Appointment of the Executor

Determine who the nominated Executor of the estate is, in accordance with the Last Will and Testament. If this is not stipulated in the will, then the family can nominate an Executor. ECS is happy to assist with advice in this regard and there is an option of ECS acting as Executor or appointed agent of the Executor (to reduce the workload on the appointed Executor)

1. Collect the following documents

  • Original last Will and Testament
  • Certified copy of the Death Certificate
  • Certified copy of the ID of the deceased
  • Certified copy of the ID of the surviving spouse (if applicable)
  • Certified copy of the Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
  • Copies of the ID’s of beneficiaries nominated in the will (if applicable)
  • List of assets and liabilities to determine the estimated value of the estate
  • SARS income tax number of the deceased
  • Last known address of the deceased. This determines which Master’s office has jurisdiction over the estate.

2. Complete the following documents

NB: The templates for which can be obtained from the website of the Master of the High Court here: https://www.justice.gov.za/master/deceased-how.html

  • Death notice (form J294)
  • Declaration of Marriage by the surviving spouse (if applicable – via the prescribed form)
  • Affidavit confirming that the estate has not yet been reported
  • Inventory form (form J243)
  • Next of Kin affidavit (form J192)
  • Acceptance of trust as Executor (form J190)
  • Nomination of the Executor (only if there is no valid will or the will does not nominate an Executor)
  • Note that variations of the above might apply in specific cases