Deceased Estate Checklist & Cost Calculator

Take the medical certificate to Home Affairs. You'll get the official DHA-1663 death certificate.

Check at home, with their attorney, bank, or the Master's Office. If no will exists, the estate is 'intestate'.

Submit death certificate, will (if any), and estate inventory to the Master's Office in your area.

The Master issues Letters of Executorship. Without this, no one can access the deceased's accounts or assets.

The executor opens a dedicated estate account to collect all assets and pay debts.

Place notices in the Government Gazette and local newspaper for creditors to submit claims.

Transfer all assets to estate account. Pay funeral costs, debts, and outstanding bills.

File the deceased's final tax return and get a clearance letter from SARS. This can take 2-6 months.

List all assets, debts, and how remaining assets will be distributed to heirs.

The L&D account must be available for public inspection for 21 days. Heirs can object during this time.

Transfer property, pay out cash, and distribute assets as per the will or Intestate Succession Act.

Submit proof that everything has been distributed correctly. The estate is now closed.