Estate Planning

The amount of people who think that they don’t need Estate Planning because they don’t have an estate is astonishing! These people think the value of their estate isn’t great enough to warrant estate planning. This is an incorrect assumption. Anyone that owns anything of value has an estate. This will include tangible assets such as property investments and intangible assets such as bonds. And whether you like it or not, your estate needs to be maintained. Broadly speaking, an estate plan encompasses the accumulation, conservation and distribution of an estate. A good plan will enhance and maintain the financial security of people and their loved ones.

Your last will and testament is the most important part of your estate plan. Your will is your legal voice stating exactly how you wish to have your estate dispersed after your death. Obviously, your will only becomes legally binding after you die so you are free to change whatever you like, whenever you like and as many times as you like until your death. In your will, you should specify instructions for the executor of your will. Your executor is the person you place in charge of administering your estate after your passing.
Your will offers many advantages enabling you to control what happens to your estate after you pass away.

These advantages include:
  • Minimise estate tax
  • Distribute your assets (estate) as you see fit to who you choose
  • Choose your own estate executor
  • Designate a guardian for your dependants​
If you die without a will, settling your setae can be rather costly and in some cases rather messy. It is therefore very important that you get one done sooner, rather than later. Wills can be set up by a lawyer, bank or financial advisor.

In conjunction with our strategic partners, we perform a detailed analysis of the client’s affairs.  We consider the use of trusts as part of Estate Planning, the estate duty implications, as well as the implications of capital gains tax and donations tax.  Most importantly we consider the objectives and needs of the client and their dependents. 
Special attention is accordingly also paid to the following:
  • The liquidity needs of the client’s estate
  • The client’s business interests
  •  Offshore assets
  • The marital regime applicable to the client and the possible consequences thereof on the client’s death (including accrual claims).
  • Life-partners or cohabitation relationships
  • The nomination of guardians for minors
  • Maintenance for dependents
  • Disabled dependents