A will is one of the most important legal documents you will ever conclude. Many individuals find the process of drafting a Will difficult and inconvenient. At PM Attorneys, we have years of experience in preparing legal and valid wills that are easy and convenient for clients. We pride ourselves on offering ideal solutions for all individuals irrespective of their circumstances. Our specialist service offering and expertise lie in drafting simple and complex wills, worldwide and offshore wills, wills with the inclusion of trusts and Shari’Ah compliant wills.

The Estate Planning process involves drafting several legal documents to ensure that you create and maintain a particular lifestyle for you and your family whilst alive. More importantly, providing a living standard for your loved ones after your death. PM Attorneys specialise in minimising estate duties and inheritance tax and ensure sufficient capital is kept aside to meet the estate’s financial obligations upon death. Our consistent aim is to ensure that any inheritances are sufficiently distributed or protected for your younger beneficiaries.

Winding up a Deceased Estate is often one of the most emotional, time-consuming and burdensome process for a loved one to experience. For most, it becomes a time fraught with legal, financial and procedural obstacles. PM Attorneys’ Estate Administration experts take care of the entire process, ensuring this pressure and burden is lessened for the family members involved. The administering of deceased estates in terms of the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965 and the duties thereof will be taken care of swiftly and professionally by our legal team.

All assets, income and liabilities of a deceased person are referred to as a deceased estate. However, it is essential to remember that ‘deceased estates’ refers to a legal term and not an individual or person. Once a death is reported to the Master of the High Court,  an executor of a Master’s representative is nominated and appointed and becomes the representative of the deceased estate. The executor is not liable for debts in the estate but is instead mandated to act on behalf of the estate in winding up its financial affairs. PM Attorneys assist both aggrieved loved ones and creditors in initiating claims against deceased estates.

Choosing the right type of trust for you and your family is of utmost importance. Trusts are vital financial and estate planning tools that can assist in protecting your business and personal assets during and after your lifetime for your intended beneficiaries. When deciding which trust is best for you, there are crucial points to consider. PM Attorneys’ trust specialists advise parties on all aspects involved and take care of the registration and administration of inter-vivos and testamentary trusts under The Trust Property Control Act no 57/1988. Our experts further assist in resolving disputes amongst trustees and/or beneficiaries.

In terms of section 35(1)(a) of the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965, an executor of a deceased estate shall, within six months after letters of executorship have been granted to him, submit to the Master of the High Court, an account in the prescribed form of the liquidation and distribution of the estate. The drafting of a liquidation and distribution account requires the necessary expertise and that is where our law firm comes in. Before a deceased estate is administered, it is mandatory to establish whether the estate is to be administered in accordance with the Intestate Succession Act 81 of 1987 or the Wills Act 49 of 1996.