J187 liquidation and distribution account in Pretoria
Quick Answer
The J187 liquidation and distribution account must be published in the Government Gazette and a newspaper or approved online publication for estates in Pretoria. It opens a 21-day period for the public and heirs to inspect the account and lodge objections. Admin Boss – Estate Division is based in Pretoria, Gauteng and places it for a flat R400 per advert — assisting clients remotely across South Africa.
Image: Jonathunder, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Heirs in Pretoria are often surprised to learn the estate account must be published before distribution. That publication is the J187 liquidation and distribution account: Government Gazette plus a local or approved online publication. Our flat fee is R400 per advert, proof included.
Why This Advertisement Matters for a Pretoria Estate
The advertisement is not a formality — it is what protects the executor. Once the 21-day period has run from publication, late claims fall away and the estate can be finalised without personal risk to the executor.
What the Law Requires for a J187 Notice
- Publication in the Government Gazette (published every Friday by the Government Printing Works).
- Publication in a newspaper — we use The Citizen, which advertises throughout South Africa and online — or an approved online publication under Chief Master Directive 1 of 2025, circulating in the district where the deceased ordinarily lived.
- Prescribed J187 wording, including the estate number and the executor’s details.
- A 21-day period running from publication, per Section 35(5) of the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965.
The Master’s Office for Pretoria
Pretoria falls under the Pretoria and Johannesburg Master’s Offices. The estate number for your advert is issued by that office once the estate is reported — we verify the number on the estate file before anything is lodged, so the Gazette does not reject the notice.
If the Pretoria estate includes minor heirs, the Guardian’s Fund or a trust arrangement is noted in the account before it is advertised.
What Does a J187 Advert Cost in Pretoria?
Every advert includes drafting in the prescribed wording, placement and proof of publication for the Master’s file:
| Option | Price | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Government Gazette advert | R400 | Friday Government Gazette placement plus the district newspaper or approved online publication, drafting and proof of publication. |
| National newspaper advert | R400 | The same notice placed in The Citizen newspaper, read across all nine provinces and online, with drafting and proof of publication. |
| Gazette + national newspaper package | R750 — save R50 | Both placements for the same notice — full legal coverage plus national reach — for R750 instead of R800. |
How to Get Your J187 Notice Placed
- Send the estate details using the form below, or email them to nicolette@adminboss.co.za.
- We draft the notice in the prescribed wording and email it to you for approval.
- We lodge with the Government Printing Works and book the Pretoria-district publication.
- You receive proof of publication for the Master’s file.
Request Your Estate Advert
Complete the form below and Nicolette will reply with the draft notice and the next available Friday Gazette date — or call / WhatsApp 074 487 5082.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 21-day period start for a Pretoria estate?
From the date of publication in the Gazette — not from the date of death or lodgement, which is why early lodgement matters.
Will the Master in Gauteng accept your proof of publication?
Yes. We provide the Gazette page and placement confirmation in exactly the format Master’s offices accept.
Can a family member place the advert themselves?
They can, but rejected or incorrectly worded notices cost weeks. Our R400 service exists so the notice is right the first time.
Related Pages
- J187 liquidation and distribution account — full service details
- J193 notice to creditors in Pretoria
- J187 notices for every city and town in South Africa
- The requirements to advertise an estate, as set out by the Master of the High Court
- Government Gazette costs and Friday deadlines
- J193 and J187 forms in South Africa — the complete guide
Official Resources
- Department of Justice and Constitutional Development — Deceased Estates
- Master of the High Court — Official Estate Forms (J-forms)
- Chief Master’s Directives (incl. Directive 1 of 2025)
- GPW — Legal Gazettes (free downloads)
- Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965 (official PDF)
Last updated: 28 October 2026 by Admin Boss – Estate Division, Pretoria, Gauteng — assisting clients remotely across South Africa. 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.