EDUCATIONAL SERIES

When and Why the Master May Request Additional Documents

Understanding the Master's oversight role
Infosheet 8 of 28

Receiving a query from the Master of the High Court can feel alarming, especially if you are not sure what triggered it or what is being asked. In most cases, it is not a sign that something has gone wrong. It is simply the Master’s office doing its job.

The Master is required by law to scrutinise the documents submitted in an estate and to ensure that everything is in order before issuing appointments or approving accounts. When something is missing, unclear, or inconsistent, the Master will ask for more information. This is standard practice, not cause for concern.

This infosheet explains the most common reasons the Master requests additional documents, what those documents typically are, and how families can help move the process forward when a query arrives.

1 Common Reasons for Requests
  • Missing signatures or incomplete forms
  • Unclear asset valuations
  • Inconsistencies in the preliminary inventory
  • Questions about the validity of the will
  • Need for supporting documents (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce order)
2 Documents the Master Often Requests
  • Certified copies of IDs
  • Marriage or divorce documents
  • Proof of residence
  • Bank statements
  • Title deeds
  • Updated inventories
  • Supporting valuations
3 Requests During L&D Account Review

The Master may ask for:

  • Clarification of asset values
  • Proof of debt settlement
  • Updated creditor lists
  • Supporting calculations
  • Additional affidavits
4 Why These Requests Matter
  • They protect beneficiaries
  • They ensure compliance with the law
  • They prevent fraud or mismanagement
  • They ensure the estate is wound up correctly
5 How Families Can Help
  • Provide documents promptly
  • Respond quickly to queries
  • Keep communication open with the executor

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