Letters of Executorship

Letters of Executorship (Form J190): The Executor’s Authority Explained

3 October 2026 /

Quick Answer

Letters of executorship — accepted on Form J190 — are the Master of the High Court’s appointment of the executor of a deceased estate. Without them no one may administer the estate, and they must be in place before the J193 or J187 Gazette adverts run.

Scales of justice representing letters of executorship issued by the Master of the High Court

Image: Wikimedia Commons contributor, via Wikimedia Commons

What Are Letters of Executorship?

Letters of executorship are the Master of the High Court’s formal appointment of the person who will wind up the estate — the executor. The acceptance of that appointment is made on Form J190, which is why people speak of “getting your J190”. Until the letters are issued, no one has authority to act on the estate’s behalf.

When Are Letters Issued?

After the estate is reported (within 14 days of death) the Master checks the will, the J294 death notice, the J243 inventory and the next-of-kin affidavit where required. If everything is in order the Master issues letters of executorship — in straightforward estates this takes several weeks to a few months, depending on the office. Estates can be reported online through the DOJ registration system, which speeds up the file opening.

What the Executor May Do Once Appointed

  • Open the estate’s bank account and collect assets into it.
  • Close bank accounts, claim policies and collect money owed to the estate.
  • Settle debts and administration expenses.
  • Advertise the J193 notice to creditors and later the J187 liquidation and distribution account.
  • Distribute the balance to heirs and file the final paperwork with the Master.

When Letters of Authority Are Enough

For small estates under the Section 18(3) threshold (currently R250,000) the Master may issue letters of authority instead of full letters of executorship, and no Gazette advertising is required. Our guide to Section 18(3) small estates explains when that applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an executor act before the J190 is issued?

Only limited steps are sensible before appointment — gathering documents, reporting the estate and protecting assets. Banks, the Deeds Office and insurers will require sight of the letters of executorship.

Must the executor be the person named in the will?

The will’s nominee is normally appointed, but a nominee may renounce in favour of someone else, and the Master may appoint a different suitable person where the nominee cannot or should not act.

What does the J190 have to do with Gazette adverts?

The J193 and J187 adverts must name the executor exactly as appointed — so the letters of executorship must be in place before advertising starts.

Request Your Estate Advert

Already have your letters of executorship and estate number? Send them below and we will draft your J193 or J187 notice for a flat R400 per advert.

Have Your Letters? Advertise the Estate

The J193 and J187 notices must name the appointed executor. We draft, place and prove both adverts for a flat R400 each.

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Last updated: 4 October 2026 by Admin Boss – Estate Division, Pretoria. Questions? Call 074 487 5082 or email nicolette@adminboss.co.za. Admin Boss – Estate Division is a notice publication and administrative service, not a law firm; we do not give legal advice.

Related: The requirements to advertise an estate, as set out by the Master of the High Court  |  J193 and J187 forms in South Africa  |  Estate notice glossary and FAQs  |  Estate notice advertising — flat R400 per advert

Admin Boss – Estate Division is based in Pretoria, Gauteng, and assists clients remotely across South Africa — call 074 487 5082.