HOW TO REPORT A DECEASED ESTATE?
Upon the death of a person, the estate must be reported by an interested party to Master’s Office in which jurisdiction the deceased normally lived, within 14 days.
The reporting documents will differ slightly depending on the value of the estate and the type of appointment required.
If the value of the estate exceeds R250 000, letters of executorship must be issued and the full process prescribed by the Administration of Estates Act must be followed.
However, if the value of the estate is less than R250 000, the Master of the High Court may dispense with letters of executorship and issue letters of authority in terms of Section 18(3) of the Administration of Estates Act, (Act 66 of 1965).
The Magistrates’ Office service points will only have jurisdiction if the deceased did not leave a valid will and the gross value of the estate is less than R125 000 where there is no PEAS ( Paperless Estates Administration System).
Letters of authority entitle the nominated representative to administer the estate without following the full procedure set out in the Administration of Estates Act.
