EDUCATIONAL SERIES

Step-by-Step Estate Administration Timeline

A clear overview of what happens and when
Infosheet 5 of 28

“How long is this going to take?” It is one of the questions we hear most often, and it is one of the hardest to answer with precision. The honest answer is: it depends. But there is a general sequence that almost every estate follows, and understanding that sequence makes the wait more manageable.

Estate administration in South Africa is not a single event — it is a series of steps, each of which must be completed before the next can begin. Some steps have mandatory waiting periods set by law that cannot be shortened regardless of circumstances. Others depend on how quickly documents are provided, how responsive institutions are, and whether complications arise.

This infosheet maps out the typical estate administration timeline from start to finish. It will not tell you exactly how long your estate will take, but it will help you understand where you are in the process, what comes next, and why it takes as long as it does.

1 Week 1-2: Immediate Steps
  • Register the death at Home Affairs
  • Obtain the Death Certificate
  • Locate the will (if there is one) — if not, a different reporting process applies
  • Secure the deceased’s home, assets, and documents
2 Week 2-6: Reporting the Estate
  • Prepare the preliminary inventory
  • Submit documents to the Master of the High Court
  • Await Letters of Executorship or Letters of Authority
3 Month 2-4: Executor Begins Administration
  • Open the estate late bank account
  • Notify banks, insurers, institutions, and SARS
  • Advertise for creditors (30-day notice period)
  • Collect financial information and verify assets
4 Month 4-6: Liquidation & Distribution Account
  • Prepare the L&D Account
  • Account to SARS for the deceased’s taxes
  • Submit to the Master for examination
  • Respond to queries or requests for corrections
5 Month 6-7: Inspection Period
  • L&D Account is advertised for public inspection (21 days)
  • Beneficiaries and creditors may lodge objections
6 Month 8+: Distribution & Finalisation
  • Transfer property and vehicles
  • Pay inheritances
  • Obtain receipts and confirmations
  • Close the estate bank account

Note: Complex estates, disputes, property sales, or tax issues can extend these timelines significantly.

A Note From Our Practice

Losing someone you love is hard enough. The legal process of winding up their estate should not be a source of additional confusion or anxiety. But for most families, it is.

Estate administration in South Africa is a structured legal process governed by the Administration of Estates Act and a range of other legislation. It involves the Master of the High Court, SARS, financial institutions, the Deeds Office, and more. It takes time. It requires documents. And it can feel, at every turn, like a system that expects you to already know how it works.
We created this educational series because we believe informed families make better decisions and because the questions we are asked most often are the same ones that could be answered before a client ever walks through our door.

The CDT Educational Series consists of 28 infosheets covering the full spectrum of deceased estate administration, from the first 72 hours after a death to the final distribution of assets. Each infosheet is written in plain language, without jargon, and is designed to give you a clear picture of what the process involves and why each step exists.

Important: These infosheets are educational resources. They provide general information about the estate administration process in South Africa and are not intended as legal advice. Every estate has its own facts, complexities, and circumstances. Nothing in this series should be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal guidance specific to your matter.

Our intention is simple: to help you understand the landscape, ask the right questions, and feel confident when you come to us for help. Because when you are ready, we are here.

Cari du Toit & Aqeela Peters

Directors
Cari du Toit Incorporated Attorneys & Conveyancers