by VDT Attorneys | Jul 16, 2025 | Offshore, Offshore assets, Offshore wills, Will, Worldwide will
To ensure your legacy is protected across different countries and legal systems, it is essential to have two carefully coordinated wills: one for your South African assets and another specifically for your offshore assets. This strategy not only helps you navigate the...
by VDT Attorneys | Jun 3, 2025 | Immovable property, Inheritance, Minors and inheritance, Will, Wills and estates
When a minor child (under the age of 18) inherits immovable property in South African law, several legal protections and procedures are triggered to safeguard the child’s interests. The applicable legal framework includes the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965,...
by VDT Attorneys | Nov 6, 2023 | Estate Planning, Massing, Repudiation, Will
There are two types of massing, namely statutory massing and common law massing. For purposes of this article, we will focus on the more commonly recognised statutory massing, although common law massing also has its place in estate planning. Statutory estate massing...
by VDT Attorneys | Jul 27, 2023 | Corporate governance, Trust, Will
The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) on 26 May 2023 handed down judgment in the Shepstone & Wylie-case in what has turned out to be a rather controversial decision. The case dealt with the Penvaan Property Trust (“the Trust”) which had three trustees. On 25 May...
by VDT Attorneys | May 29, 2023 | Deceased Estate, Estate Planning, Executor, Will, Wills and estates
The Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965 (“Act”) differentiates between the winding up of small and large estates. When dealing with an estate smaller than R250,000, the process can be fairly simple and quick. A representative appointed in terms of a valid Will or...
by VDT Attorneys | Mar 29, 2023 | Estate Planning, Fiduciary, Trust, Will, Wills and estates
When you get married in South Africa, your marriage is automatically in community of property unless you conclude an antenuptial contract to change this. This means that without an antenuptial contract, all assets and debt incurred before and after the marriage by...
