Deceased Estate Reporting Checklist

• The death noticeEvery estate. Completed by the surviving spouse, the nearest relative, or the person the deceased was living with.
• The inventoryEvery estate. Everything the deceased owned at the date of death, at date-of-death values.
• A next-of-kin affidavitOnly where there is no valid will.
• NominationsOnly where there is no will. The heirs nominate the person to be appointed.
• An acceptance of trust as executorWhere the estate is above R250,000 and requires full administration. Signed by the person to be appointed.
• An undertaking and acceptance of the Master's directionWhere the estate is R250,000 or less and the Master gives a direction under section 18(3).
• A list of creditorsWith a section 18(3) estate.
• An affidavit of careWhere a minor child is involved. Completed by the child's caregiver.
• A declaration that the estate has not been reported at another officeWhere there is any possibility it was reported elsewhere.

The R250,000 figure is fixed by GNR 920, Government Gazette 38238 of 24 November 2014. Older checklists still in circulation quote R125,000 — that figure was superseded and should not be relied on.

• The original will, and any later codicilThe signed original. A copy or a scan will not do, and a missing page is treated as a missing will.
• The deceased's identity documentBring the original.
• Marriage certificate, or divorce order where applicableBring the original.
• Antenuptial contract, if the marriage was out of community of property
• Identity document of the person applying to be appointedBring the original.
• Identity documents of everyone nominating that personBring the originals. This is the one most often forgotten.
• Birth certificates of any minor childrenBring the originals.
• Title deed, or the details of any property owned
• Recent bank statements for every account
• Motor vehicle registration papers
• Insurance policy documents
• The deceased's income tax number

• The notification of deathCompleted by the funeral director or a doctor.
• Death certificateBring the original. It is worth asking Home Affairs for more than one at the outset — institutions tend to keep the copy they are given.

• Bank balances as at the date of death, for every account
• Investment and unit trust statements
• Share portfolio or securities account statements
• Pension, provident and retirement annuity fund details
• Employer confirmation of any final salary, leave pay or benefit due
• Life and funeral policy details, including the nominated beneficiary

• Copy of the title deed for any immovable property
• Municipal account and rates figures for any property
• Statements for every outstanding debt — bonds, loans, credit cards, accounts
• The funeral invoice
• Trust deed, where the deceased was a trustee or a beneficiary of a trust
• Any partnership, shareholder or business agreement the deceased was party to
• Any loan account or written agreement owed to or by the deceased
• Vouchers for fixed property, movables and bank accountsSection 18(3) estates.

• Full details of the person reporting the estate, and their relationship to the deceased
• Full names, identity numbers and contact details for the surviving spouse and every heir
• The marital regime — in or out of community of property, and whether accrual applies
• Every district the deceased lived in during the 12 months before deathThis determines where the creditors' notice must be advertised. An incomplete answer here produces a defective advertisement months later.
• Whether any heir is under 18, or is unable to manage their own affairs
• Whether anyone has already dealt with, sold or removed any estate asset