DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO FINALISE A DECEASED ESTATE

An executor needs the following essential documents to finalise the administration and reporting of an estate:

Legal documents

• Original Will, duly signed, dated and witnessed
• The original Identity Document of the deceased (have several certified copies available)
• Copy of the Identity Document of the surviving spouse
• Death Certificate (have several certified copies available)
• Marriage Certificate
• Antenuptial Contract
• Divorce Documents
• Copies of Identity Documents and contact details for all beneficiaries
• Copies of Birth Certificates for all minors

Financial information

• Details of any mortgage bonds over the property
• Lease and/or Hire Purchase Contracts
• Details of any surety obligations
• Account and proof of payment of funeral costs
• Details of employer and copy of last salary slip
• Bank details of savings/cheque/investment/credit cards accounts and all actual debit/credit cards
• Details of Pension Fund
• Details of Medical Aid
• Income Tax Number and relevant SARS office

Assets

• Title Deed of property/Certificates of Mineral Rights
• Motor Vehicle Registration Documents and valuation of the motor vehicle/bike/trailer from two dealers
• Details & inventory of existing businesses/framing enterprises with latest financial statements & VAT No/s
• Share Certificates
• Details of life insurance
• Details of retirement annuities
• Details of Partnership Agreement and Buy and Sell Agreement

General Information

• Information and/or documents relating to a predeceased spouse/s
• If deceased died of unnatural causes - details of accident, relevant Police Station, name of investigating officer, Post-Mortem Report and case number
• Name, address and telephone number of the deceased's doctor and person who signed the Death Certificate
• Firearm Licences and valuation of firearm/s from two dealers
• Details of short-term insurance
• Details of accountant/auditor and insurance broker
• Details of all outstanding accounts (debts)
• TV License
• Details of Private Post Office Box
• Telephone Accounts
• Accounts from Municipality/Eskom/Managing Agent/Homeowners' Association

For the speedy finalisation of your estate it is highly recommended to keep a file with the above documents in a safe place and to ensure that the documentation is always up to date.