For South African Families Navigating a Loved One’s Estate
- We handle the full administration — executor appointment, creditor notifications, asset distribution, and more
- Clear, jargon-free guidance so you always understand what’s happening and why
- One team for the complete estate, including property transfers, trusts, and disputes
Not Sure Where to Start? Let’s Talk It Through.
What Deceased Estate Administration Actually Involves, And How We Handle It
Most families have never dealt with a deceased estate before. Here’s what the process looks like when Pillay Inc is in your corner.
Step 1
Report the Estate
The estate must be reported to the Master of the High Court within 14 days of death. We guide you through this immediately, ensure the right documents are submitted, and make sure nothing is missed in the critical early window.
Step 2
Appoint an Executor
The Master of the High Court issues Letters of Executorship to appoint someone to administer the estate. We help you identify the right executor, assist with the appointment process, and can act in that capacity where appropriate.
Step 3
Gather, Value, and Settle
We compile a full inventory of the deceased’s assets and liabilities, obtain property valuations, notify creditors, and work through the estate’s financial obligations. Every debt is handled before distribution begins.
Step 4
Distribute to Heirs
Once the estate account is approved by the Master, assets are distributed to heirs according to the will — or under the Intestate Succession Act if no will exists. We handle the full distribution process, including any property transfers that form part of the estate.
It’s a lot of moving parts. That’s exactly why we’re here.
Why Families Choose Pillay Inc for Deceased Estate Administration
Frequently Asked Questions
When someone passes away, their estate, everything they owned, must be legally wound up before anything can be passed to heirs. This involves reporting the death to the Master of the High Court, appointing an executor, settling debts, and distributing assets. It’s a formal legal process that can’t be skipped or short-circuited, and it’s regulated under the Administration of Estates Act. An attorney guides and manages this process on the family’s behalf.
The estate must be reported to the Master of the High Court within 14 days of death. Beyond that, the sooner the process starts, the faster assets can reach the people they’re intended for. Getting in touch with us early means we can make sure nothing is missed in those critical first weeks.
An executor can be a family member, a professional estate administrator, or an attorney. The Master of the High Court issues Letters of Executorship to formally appoint them. We can help you decide who is best suited to act as executor for the specific estate, and we can take on that role ourselves where it makes sense.
This is more common than you’d think, and the process still works. Without a will, the estate is distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act, which sets out a clear order of inheritance based on family relationships. We handle intestate estates regularly and will walk you through exactly how the assets would be divided.
Costs vary depending on the size and complexity of the estate. There are statutory attorney fees, Master’s Office fees, and sundry costs like rates clearances and valuations. We’ll give you a clear cost estimate before any work begins. For most families, the cost of professional administration is significantly less than the cost of mistakes or delays from trying to manage it without guidance.
A straightforward estate can be fully wound up in six to twelve months. More complex estates, those involving property, disputes, business interests, or outstanding debts, can take longer. We’ll give you a realistic estimate once we understand the full picture, and we’ll keep you updated throughout.
