Wills and Estate Planning

Estate Planning: The Ambush Tax Lurking in the Wings

“I can’t afford to die; I’d lose too much money.” (George Burns, comedian) At the heart of any estate plan lies your will. Pair it

Electronic Wills Aren’t Valid: Stick to Pen and Paper

“Let’s choose executors and talk of wills.” (William Shakespeare in Richard II) You may have read one of the many online articles about an electronic

Excuses, Excuses: Why People Don’t Make Wills, And Why You Must

“All that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity.” (William Shakespeare, in Hamlet) Master’s Office records suggest that less than a third of us

How to Avoid Fighting Over the House – A Guide for Life Partners

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of bandages and adhesive tape.” (Groucho Marx) It’s a perennial topic of dispute in our courts. A

Do You Need a Second Will for Your Overseas Assets?

“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” (Pablo Picasso) If you own assets outside South Africa, you may

Estate Planning: Why it Matters, and How To Get Started

“When the hurly-burly’s done, when the battle’s lost and won.” (One of the witches in Shakespeare’s Macbeth) Another year draws to a close! If you’re

How Can You Protect Your Heirs’ Inheritances from Their Creditors?

“The only person who sticks closer to you in adversity than a friend is a creditor.” (Unknown) You’ve done everything you can to leave your

Sibling Showdown: How One Missing Word in a Will Divided a Family

“From small mistakes come great catastrophes.” (Justin Cronin) We’ve all seen how even the smallest mistake can have huge consequences down the line. A recent

In the Land of the Will, Clarity is King

“The golden rule for the interpretation of testaments is to ascertain the wishes of the testator from the language used. And when these wishes are

A Valentine’s Day Thought for Life Partners: What is a “Universal Partnership”?

“Marriage is the chief cause of divorce” (Groucho Marx) This Valentine’s Day, think about the legal aspects of your romantic relationship. They’re a lot less