South African estate planning trusts encompass inter vivos, testamentary, discretionary, family, special, vested, hybrid, business, charitable, and dynasty trusts — each offering distinct benefits for protecting assets, reducing taxes, and ensuring seamless wealth transfer.
Protect your blended family by regularly updating your Will, utilising tools such as life interest trusts, owning property as tenants in common, and consulting with legal experts. These steps help prevent accidental disinheritance, ensure fairness, and minimise future family disputes.
The Family Advocate in South Africa is a legal officer who helps resolve custody, care, and contact disputes in the children’s best interests.
Dying intestate means you have left no valid Will when you die. In this instance, the provisions of Intestate Successions (Act 81 of 1987) stipulate how your estate will be divided. An estate includes all the assets and debt a person had acquired before death.
Estate lawyers can help you plan your will, such as which assets to include and which to leave out, designate your beneficiaries, plan your living will, establish power of attorney, and help to mitigate estate duties. They can also help to set up trusts for you and your beneficiaries.