MASTER'S OFFICE MOVE

http://mycapetown.co.za/news/2013/09/modernised-masters-office-for-cape-town/
The Master of the High Court in Cape Town deals with all deceased estates of persons passing away in the Western Cape area.  They were located in the old SARS Building behind the Magistrates Court in Roeland Street, but have now moved to lovely new premises at 45 Castle Street, Cape Town.
The move seems to have gone relatively well.  They have 10 floors in this new building and have allocated the floors according to function, which seems to be working well.   Their opening hours for the public are from 8am to 1pm, Monday to Friday, and their new telephone number is 021-832 3000.
Parking is either in the street around the area, or you can try the Parking Garage at Picbel Parcade in Strand Street.
If you need any assistance with a deceased estate, please feel free to contact us at 021-5511741.
We act as executors and assist members of the public with the winding up of deceased estates.

Use an expert to draft your Will.

http://fidsa.org.za/press-release-use-an-expert-to-draft-your-will/
Have a look at this article regarding having your Will drafted.  Some interesting points.

I would add to it that when having someone draft your Will, look for someone who also has experience winding up deceased estates.   It is quite amazing how the practical application of a Will can be overlooked by someone who has a good grasp of the theory, but has not actually put it into practice.

At Proactive, we are looking at your wishes and what you want in your Will and then we also look at whether it is implementable and if there could be any problems arising.  Before finalising your Will is the time to sort them out, and not when it's too late and you are not around anymore.  So we make sure your Will is both legal and practical.

When last did you update your Will? If you have recently got divorced, did you know that in the first 3 months after the divorce, the State will regard your ex-spouse as having deceased and they will not benefit. However, after this period if you have not changed your Will, the State regards this as you making a decision to purposefully retain your ex-spouse as your beneficiary. In the throes of a divorce, we don't often think about our Wills. So if this has slipped your mind, give us a call to update your Will. Particularly if you have remarried, and want to change your beneficiaries.
Also, if you have had more children, or your beneficiaries have changed in any way, this is the time to update your Will.
Generally, you should not need to update your Will as and when your assets change. Your Will should, in most cases, be simple and adaptable so that you can buy and sell assets without having to go and change your Will every time.

If you would like to discuss any changes to your Will, or would like to update your existing Will, please feel free to contact us at 021-5511741 or 0732172644.

Can a family member be my executor?

I wanted to clear up this question for clients and people drafting their Wills. Yes, you can appoint a family member as your executor, but they will only be able to handle your estate if your assets are R125 000,00 or under. Once your assets go over the R125 000,00 mark, then the Master of the High Court insists that you obtain a professional executor to act as agents for the nominated executor. This professional executor would handle the winding up of the estate, as it is a complex task to deal with the whole process. If your estate is under R125 000,00, the Master's office have instituted a short cut procedure and it is very easy for a lay person to deal with the estate. These smaller estates are dealt with in terms of Section 18(3) of the Administration of Estates Act.
If you need any help or information regarding the completing of documents to obtain the appointment as executor if you are a family member, we do provide this service at a small fee. Please feel free to contact us.

Common errors people make with Wills

Today I want to share with you just one item, and that is procrastination. Why we do it, I don’t know! But, it seems that the area where people suffer the most from procrastination is in getting their Wills in order.
“A couple meets with an attorney to discuss drafting a will or trust. The attorney gives them a list of things to think about and decide – whereupon the couple goes home and never follows through.” - From Smart Couples Finish Rich by David Bach. (For some really interesting information regarding planning your finances, see his website at www.finishrich.com – well worth a visit! Tell me what you think).

That is why I have developed a painless, efficient system for Wills – you only have to go through the stress once! As you know, we offer a free Wills service. This is further tailor-made for you so that all it takes is an hour of your time and you walk away with the peace of mind that you have a legal Will in place that takes care of your loved ones. So, if you don’t have your Will in place already, give me a call and we can set up an appointment for you.
Tel: 0732172644. 021-5511741W. Paula Bongers at Proactive Executors

Your Will, Your Children & Your Home

(and how to avoid a nightmare situation for your loved ones)
There are numerous complications if a parent dies without a Will, as your spouse and children would inherit your estate together. How does a Will protect your family from unnecessary expense and additional complications? If you die intestate any sale of fixed property that takes place, needs a Court Order to be obtained to sell a minor's portion and this is a very costly exercise. If you own any fixed propery, instead of the children and spouse inheriting it together, you can bequeath the whole property to your spouse in your Will (or to a Trust if you prefer). Another point to bear in mind relating to fixed property in an estate, is that usually the bank will require the bond to be cancelled and a new bond registered. Will your spouse qualify to take over your existing bond without the benefit of your income? If not, your family may face having to sell the property to pay up the bond. This is why it is so important to have insurance cover to pay any outstanding amount owing on your bond. So, if you are a parent with minor children, or have friends or family members with minor children and no Will, please contact me to set up an appointment. Our Wills are provided free of charge and we need only an hour of your time. (to make sure your family is secure and cared for after you are gone)

We are now getting our Proactive Wills Club off the ground with our first mailing, which included special inserts for you to build up a file containing all your important personal documents (i.e. your Will, Title Deed of property, Insurance policies, etc) and lots more useful information. Please let us know by making a comment on our blog as to how useful you are finding this. (If you are anything like me, you probably need a personal organiser to help you get all your stuff in order! :-). I am looking at sourcing someone, so keep watching the blog for a referral.
If you want to join the Wills Club, it is very easy - just become a Will Client. So phone me on 021-5511741 or 0732172644, or e.mail me at proactive@farelo.co.za and we can set up an appointment. I have streamlined the whole procedure to be as efficient and easy as possible, so it will take approximately an hour of your time. We meet at my office, I go through with you what your requirements are, prepare the Will, you sign it and leave with a professional, legal Will ... and peace of mind.