Who is the Master of the High Court?
Functions of the Master in Deceased Estates
The Master of the High Court plays a crucial role in handling deceased estates in South Africa. With offices situated in every provincial division of the High Court, the Master is responsible for overseeing the administration of deceased estates in accordance with the law, primarily the Administration of Estates Act, No. 66 of 1965. The Master’s Office employs trained personnel to assist in carrying out its duties and functions in relation to deceased estates.
The Master’s functions include overseeing the orderly winding up of the deceased’s financial affairs and protecting the financial interests of the deceased’s heirs. Additionally, the Master safeguards the interests of minors and legally incapacitated individuals. The Master ensures that all documentary material received in respect of estates is safeguarded at all times and processes enquiries from executors, attorneys, beneficiaries, and other interested parties. An impartial and competent person is appointed by the Master as an executor of a deceased estate, and the Master will oversee the administration process from the time the deceased estate is reported to the Master’s Office until its finalisation.
Siyatec Executors is a firm that can assist you with the process of administering the estate. With experienced professionals like Wafiq Davids, an Attorney, Notary, and Conveyancer, Siyatec Executors can provide valuable guidance and creative solutions to clients’ legal issues. Their services include obtaining Letters of Executorship and ensuring a smooth administration process for deceased estates. If you require assistance with the administration of a deceased estate, consider reaching out to Siyatec Executors for expert advice and support.
T he Master of the High Court has certain powers and duties which are regulated by various laws, including the Administration of Estates Act, No. 66 of 1965. An Office of the Master is situated in every provincial division of the High Court of South Africa. Each Master’s Office has trained personnel to assist the Master in carrying out its duties in relation to deceased estates. Even though we always refer to the Master, in reality, it is the trained personnel who assist the Master to carry out its duties and functions in respect of deceased estates.
The Master has many functions which, amongst others, include the following:
- To oversee the administration of deceased estates in accordance with the applicable laws. The purpose is to ensure an orderly winding up of the financial affairs of the deceased and the protection of the financial interest of the deceased’s heirs;
- To protect the interests of minors and legally incapacitated minors;
- Where funds have been paid into the Guardian’s Fund; to protect and administer the funds of minors, those who are contractually incapacitated or undetermined, as well as absent heirs;
- All documentary material received by the Master in respect of estates are to be safeguarded at all times;
- To process enquiries by executors, attorneys, beneficiaries and other interested parties relating to a deceased estate;
- To appoint an impartial and competent person as an executor of a deceased estate.
The Master will oversee the administration process from the time that the deceased estate was reported to the Master’s Office until such time that the deceased estate is finalised.
Siyatec Executors can assist you with the process of administering the estate. Give us a call, send us a Whatsapp, complete our online consultation or send us email to start the process.
Author Wafiq Davids (B SocSci, LL.B.)
Attorney, Notary, Conveyancer and Legal Consultant at Siyatec Executors
