Understanding estate massing in community of property marriages
In community of property marriages, spouses often combine their estates, or mass their estates, to ensure that certain assets go to specific beneficiaries. This is done while still ensuring the surviving spouse’s welfare and protecting assets from being misused after the first spouse passes away. This article will explain the necessary conditions for this estate […]
The omission of a single word can lead to a will being contested
The contents of an “inelegant and very badly drafted” will were recently the subject of a dispute in the South Gauteng High Court, in the matter Strauss vs Strauss and Others. The plaintiff instituted action claiming that the joint will of his parents not only made provision for the situation where they died within 30 […]
Understanding your rights: Breach and penalty clauses in property agreements
When buying immovable property, the offer to purchase serves as an agreement between buyer and seller. Within this document, certain clauses demand meticulous attention from both parties. These clauses outline the rights, obligations, and procedures that govern the transaction. Understanding these key provisions is essential for ensuring that the interests of both the buyer and […]