Documents Required when Reporting a Deceased Estate to the Master of the High Court
Within the Republic of South Africa the next-of-kin of a deceased estate are required by law to report a death with 14 days of the individual passing on. The following documentation must be provided to your Deceased Estate Agent to report the death to the Master of the High Court.
With a Will
- Certified copy of the Identity Document of the Deceased
- Certified copy of the Death Certificate of the Deceased
- Certified copy of the Marriage Certificate of the Deceased (if applicable)
- Certified copy of the Identity Document of the Spouse of the Deceased (if applicable)
- Certified copy of the Identity Document of the Executor
- Original Will
- Death Notice – J294
- Declaration of Marriage by the Surviving Spouse (if married in a Customary Union)
- Inventory form – J243
- Acceptance of Trust as Executor – J190 (if the estate is valued above R250 000)
- Acceptance of Master’s Directions – J155 (if the estate is valued below R250 000)
- Nominations of an Executor by all heirs (if intestate estate, or where no executor has been nominated in the will, or the nominated executor has died or declines the appointment)
- Undertaking and bond of security – J262 (unless the nominated executor has been exempted from providing security in the will, or is the parent, spouse or child of the deceased)
If the deceased passed away before 2007: Affidavit by the next-of-kin of a deceased person who has died with a valid will, to the effect that the estate has not already been reported to another Master or service point (if applicable)
Without a Will
- Certified copy of the Identity Document of the Deceased
- Certified copy of the Death Certificate of the Deceased
- Certified copy of the Marriage Certificate of the Deceased (if applicable)
- Certified copy of the Identity Document of the Spouse of the Deceased (if applicable)
- Certified copy of the Identity Document of the Executor
- Next-of-Kin Affidavit for each heir – J192
- Death Notice – J294
- Declaration of Marriage by the Surviving Spouse (if married in a Customary Union)
- Inventory form – J243
- Acceptance of Trust as Executor – J190 (if the estate is valued above R250 000)
- Acceptance of Master’s Directions – J155 (if the estate is valued below R250 000)
- Nominations of an Executor by all heirs (if intestate estate, or where no executor has been nominated in the will, or the nominated executor has died or declines the appointment)
- Undertaking and bond of security – J262 (unless the nominated executor has been exempted from providing security in the will, or is the parent, spouse or child of the deceased)
If the deceased passed away before 2007: Affidavit by the next-of-kin of a deceased person who has died without leaving a valid will, to the effect that the estate has not already been reported to another Master or service point (if applicable)
