Quick Answer A Section 18(3) estate is a deceased estate worth R250,000 or less. The Master of the High Court may issue letters of authority instead of letters of executorship, and the J193/J187 Gazette adverts are usually not required. Image: Wikimedia Commons contributor, via Wikimedia Commons The R250,000 Threshold Section 18(3) of the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965 gives the Master a shortcut for small estates. Where the gross value of the estate is R250,000 or less, the Master may dispense with formal letters of executorship and issue letters of authority to a family member or other suitable person instead. At magistrate service points without a resident estate…