To get started, follow this guide and if you need any advice, we are here to help you through it.
Getting the death certificate
If your loved one passed away in hospital, the doctor will complete a notice of death.
If your loved one did not pass away in hospital, the mortician will complete the notice of death form.
For a death certificate to be issued, you must take the notice of death together with the deceased’s proof of identity to the Department of Home Affairs.
Reporting the death to the Master of the High Court
Once you have the death certificate, you’ll need to submit an original or certified copy of it, as well as the deceased’s certified identity document and any of the following documents, where applicable, to the Master of the High Court.
- An original or a certified copy of the deceased’s marriage certificate.
- A declaration of marriage and marriage type by the surviving spouse.
- The deceased’s original will and any annexures that may apply.
- If there is no will, you may submit an affidavit from the next of kin.
- The completed estate inventory forms.
- A list of the deceased’s creditors.
- A declaration form to confirm that the estate has not been reported to another Master’s office.
Appointing an executor
Estates below R250,000
The Master of the High Court will issue a letter of authority, allowing the nominated person to administer the estate.
Estates of more than R250,000
The Master of the High Court will issue a letter of executorship. The family may also nominate an executor of their choice.
Deceased estate guide
We have created a deceased estates guide to help you with this process and, hopefully, answer any questions that you may have.
What happens to the home loan?
-
The executor will contact Nedbank as one of the creditors to the estate.
-
If the deceased had been married in community of property, the surviving spouse will become responsible for the outstanding balance of the home loan.
-
If the deceased had an active life cover policy ceded to Nedbank, we will submit a claim to the insurance company on their behalf.
-
The surviving spouse may apply for a 45 or 57 endorsement through Nedbank if they are a co-owner of the bond. The name of the title deed will then change to that of the applicant.
