Legal Articles and Guides
Standard Bank liable in fake executor case
Standard Bank has been instructed to pay back more than R2.1m paid to a fake executor by the name of Johan Botha, who managed to convince the bank and the Western Cape High Court Master that he was the authorised executor of the estate of Constance Arnot, who died in August 2021.
Soaring crypto raises risk of unforeseen estate taxes
Cryptocurrency exchange Luno has said that due to massive price increases in the markets, people who had the nerve to hold on to their investments had done well, but this could upset estate planning because of the tax implications.
Stepmother loses out in wills dispute
A battle over inheritance raged in the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) after a now deceased man made four wills: the initial will in which he bequeathed all to his only two daughters and three others in which his ex-wife – whom he divorced 17 years ago – was suddenly also nominated as a beneficiary.
Desertion doesn't end marriage
Desertion, for whatever time, may be grounds for a divorce but it is not and cannot of itself constitute or prove divorce or that a marriage is dissolved.
Two-thirds of deceased estates go unreported
A recent study has shown that two out of every three deceased estates in SA are never reported, says a Mail & Guardian report.
Estranged wife’s bid for larger share of pension denied
The Pension Funds Adjudicator has dismissed a bid by the estranged spouse of a deceased man to claim a larger amount than the 1.43% that she was allocated of a total benefit of more than R1.7m.
New twist in Madikizela-Mandela estate dispute
The battle over struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s estate has taken a new twist, with her daughter Zenani Mandela-Dlamini claiming that her nephew Zondwa Mandela’s letter of co-executorship was obtained unlawfully.
Life partner fails to get share of R21.3m death benefit
Fathima Sayed – who spent 17 years as a businessman’s life partner – has failed in her bid to lay claim to a share in his death benefit totalling R21.3m.
Late singer’s executor seeks royalties
The executor of iconic singer Lebo Mathosa’s estate, Thokozani Mthembu, is pursuing royalty-collecting organisations for a full reconciliation of monies allegedly still owing to her 17 years after her death.
Family feud over doctored KZN will
A feud between members of a KZN family over an R800m trust has sparked claims of forgery, infidelity and mismanagement of trust funds.
Master’s Office woes continue to frustrate
Those in the legal fraternity have continued to speak out about their frustrations in dealing with the inefficiencies of the Master’s Office, says a Cape Times report.
Master's Office 'not completely collapsed'
Deputy Justice Minister John Jeffery says while there is a way to get the Master’s Office running efficiently, he does not believe it has suffered a complete collapse.
Anger over ‘dysfunctional’ Master’s Office
Lawyers say the Master’s Office is causing months of delays for crucial legal administrative procedures that should take weeks, reports GroundUp.
Judge’s father forced to prove he is alive
Michael Mossop (86), father of Judge Rob Mossop, has been forced to appear in the KZN High Court (Durban) to prove that he was alive – in spite of Home Affairs having declared him dead.
Ruling goes against Covid death will
The Western Cape High Court has ruled that there was insufficient evidence to show that a man who died in hospital from Covid-19 had intended to revoke his will and write up a new one in which he left everything to a farming trust instead of his three children.
