DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO FINALISE A DECEASED ESTATE
Category Legal
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.
Author: Adrie Barnard
