Children’s Status and Their Right to Inherit

Within the framework of South Africa’s law of succession, constitutional values such as equality and non-discrimination have elevated children’s rights to inherit significantly. Our legal position currently has impacted both the status and inheritance rights of extramarital children, children conceived through artificial insemination, children born of surrogacy, and adopted children. The Children’s Act 38 of […]

When Is a Trust Not a Trust?

When can the provisions of a trust deed be set aside?  When you don’t stick to the rules. Far too many people pay their accountant or attorney a visit, draw up a boilerplate trust deed, sign on the dotted line, and think that this piece of paper will take away all their tax and estate […]

Divorce and Immovable Property: Understanding the Section 45bis(1)(a) Endorsement Application

When a person married in community of property is awarded their former spouse’s share in jointly owned property following a divorce, they can apply to the registrar of deeds for an endorsement of the title deed. This endorsement records that the applicant is now the sole owner of the property and can deal with it […]

All Our Trustees Have Resigned. What Now?

What happens if all the trustees of a sectional title scheme resign? Who is then in control of the management, and who is entitled to continue exercising the function and powers of the body corporate, which is entrusted to the trustees by virtue of the Sectional Title Schemes Management Act 8 of 2011 (STSMA)? The […]

Property Ownership Transfer and the Abstract Theory

South African courts have adopted the abstract theory, which means that the validity of transferring ownership is not affected by whether the original transaction is valid. In the case of Legator McKenna Inc. v Shea [2009] 2 All SA 45 (SCA), McKenna, an attorney, was appointed as the curator of Mrs Shea’s estate because she […]

What Role Do Homeowners’ Associations Play in Shared Developments?

Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) are a critical component of shared developments in South Africa, managing everything from noise levels to pet policies. While they offer many benefits, the legal framework surrounding HOAs can be complex, involving legislation such as the Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act of 2011. In addition to managing disputes and enforcing rules, HOAs […]

Sale of Immovable Property from a Deceased Estate

When an executor has been appointed by the Master through the issuance of Letters of Executorship, their primary duty is to finalise the administration of the estate as soon as possible. This includes taking control of the deceased estate assets, selling them if necessary to pay all estate liabilities, administration costs and estate duty (if […]

The creation methods of servitudes in South Africa

Servitudes in South Africa can be created or come into existence in multiple ways. The methods of creation, which will be discussed, include the registration thereof by way of an order of court and through legislation. A servitude can be described as a limited real right that can either provide the holder with the use […]

The Costs of Deceased Estates Explained

An important function of an executor, the person who is appointed by the Master of the High Court to administer a deceased estate, is to account for the liabilities in the estate of the deceased. Keep in mind that only once the liabilities in the estate have been discharged can the heirs receive their inheritances. […]

Registered Antenuptial Contracts vs Agreements Between Spouses

The term ‘antenuptial contract’ can refer to either an informal contract or a contract complying with the formalities required by s 87 of the Deeds Registries Act 47 of 1937.  The public is not always aware of the fact that a verbal or written contract can be binding inter partes (between the parties) because an […]