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Why are some deceased estates still marked with so much difficulty? Why does gut-wrenching conflict shadow so many legacies? Even when there is a Will?
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National Wills Week will take place from 26-30 October 2020
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In Smit v Master of the High Court, Western Cape and Others [2022] 4 All SA 146 (WCC), disqualification of applicant to inherit because of her role in the murder of her husband and the forgery of his will and other documents by her.
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The most basic definition of a will (“Last Will and Testament”) is that it is a formal, signed, written document, in which a testator voluntarily sets out his instructions in unambiguous terms as to how his assets are to devolve following his death.
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The most important reason for having a will is to ensure that the wishes and instructions of a testator regarding his estate are properly carried out after his death. Many of us will not leave behind complex or complicated estates, or even estates of high monetary value.
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A voluntary association of persons is an entity that is useful for those interested in conducting a business for a public-benefit purpose. Namely, because it is relatively straightforward and economical to use. This article informs readers about a voluntary association of persons by discussing its origins, the applicable law and why it is valuable for a group of persons aiming to achieve a common objective.
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Far too many South Africans die every year without leaving a valid will, causing unhappiness, confusion and disputes among family members; and delays and extra costs for the deceased’s estate. LexisNexis therefore supports the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA)’s National Wills Week initiative, which will take place from 16 to 20 September 2019.
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In Wilsnach NO v TM and Others [2021] 1 All SA 600 (GP), the first and second respondents were respectively the parents of a child born in 2013 and diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The child died in 2018. The second respondent and the child lived with the third respondent (the second respondent’s mother) who provided them with a home and took care of their basic needs. On the child’s death, all three respondents laid claim to his estate.
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Before discussing the requirements of a valid will bear in mind that only someone who is sixteen years old or more and mentally capable of appreciating the nature and effect of his act at the time of making the will, is competent to do so (Section 4 of the Wills Act, 7 of 1953).
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The freedom of a testator to dispose of the whole or any part of his estate as he pleases is not absolute and there are several instances under which a will may be invalid in whole or in part from the moment of its execution or fail, in whole or in part when his estate is wound up.