J193 & J187 Forms in South Africa

Quick answer: J193 and J187 forms

J193 and J187 forms are different deceased-estate advertisements in South Africa. The J193 form calls for creditor claims, normally for 30 days. The J187 form announces that the liquidation and distribution account lies open for inspection, normally for 21 days. A van Niekerk t/a Admin Boss can prepare, advertise and supply proof of both notices nationwide.

The two forms belong to different stages of winding up a deceased estate. Confusing them can delay claims, inspection, distribution and the Master’s file. This guide explains what each form does, what information it needs, how publication works and what happens next. It also links you to the official forms and our dedicated J193 notice service and J187 advertisement service.

J193 and J187 forms used for deceased estate notices in South Africa — J193 and J187 serve separate notice functions during South African deceased-estate administration. Illustrative image.

J193 versus J187: the essential difference

The short distinction is claims first, account inspection later. J193 asks creditors and debtors to come forward. Once the executor has gathered the estate information and prepared the liquidation and distribution account, J187 tells interested people where and when they can inspect that account.

Point	J193 form	J187 form
Formal purpose	Notice to creditors in deceased estates	Notice that liquidation and distribution accounts lie for inspection
Legal basis	Section 29 of the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965	Section 35(5), read with the applicable account and objection provisions
Main audience	Creditors with claims and debtors who owe the estate	Heirs, creditors and other interested persons
Standard period	30 days for claims, unless another lawful period is indicated	21 days for inspection, unless specially stated otherwise
What it is not	Not the death notice, will or letter of executorship	Not the liquidation and distribution account itself
Practical result	Claims and debts can be identified and assessed	Interested persons can inspect and object before distribution proceeds

What is the J193 form?

The J193 form, titled Notice to Creditors in Deceased Estates, is the prescribed public notice used under section 29 of the Administration of Estates Act. It tells persons having claims against the estate to lodge them with the executor concerned within the stated period. The section 29 notice process also calls on debtors to pay amounts they owe to the estate.

J193 is therefore an estate advertisement, not the document that appoints an executor. The executor or authorised agent uses it after the estate has been reported and the necessary authority is in place. It helps the executor identify liabilities and money recoverable by the estate before the account is finalised.

Why the J193 notice to creditors matters

It gives creditors a public opportunity to submit their claims.
It tells debtors where to settle money owed to the deceased estate.
It creates a traceable publication record for the estate file.
It helps the executor prepare an account that reflects claims for and against the estate.

Information used to complete the J193 form

The official J193 form includes fields for the estate number, deceased’s surname and first names, identity details, last address, dates, notice language and Master’s office. It also provides for surviving-spouse information where applicable, executor or authorised-agent details, a claims period other than 30 days, and the advertiser’s name, address, email and telephone number.

Names, identity numbers, dates, estate numbers and addresses must be checked against the estate papers before publication. A small error can create a mismatch with the Master’s record and require correction.

How long is the J193 claims period?

The printed form states 30 days, or as indicated, from publication. Section 29 provides for a period of not less than 30 days and not more than three months. The published notice must therefore be read carefully: its own stated period and publication details determine the practical deadline.

Real-life J193 scenario

The scenarios in this guide use realistic estate circumstances with names and amounts changed; they are not presented as identifiable client files.

Mr Dlamini dies in Durban leaving a house, a bank account and an outstanding vehicle loan. After the executor receives authority, she discovers a medical account that may still be payable and a friend who owes the deceased R12,000. The executor arranges a J193 notice with the estate number, last address and her claims-lodgement details. Following publication, the medical creditor submits a claim and the friend is reminded to pay the estate. The executor can now assess both sides of the estate before preparing the liquidation and distribution account.

J193 notice to creditors form and 30-day claims period illustration — The J193 stage invites claims against the estate and payment of debts owed to it. Illustrative image.

Read the dedicated guide to J193 notices under section 29 or request help on the J193 notice to creditors service page.

What is the J187 form?

The J187 form is the prescribed advertisement for Liquidation and Distribution Accounts in Deceased Estates Lying for Inspection. Its wording refers to section 35(5) of the Administration of Estates Act. It announces that interested persons may inspect the account at the stated Master’s and Magistrate’s offices for the stated period.

J187 is not the liquidation and distribution account itself. The account is the executor’s detailed financial record of assets, liabilities, administration expenses and proposed distribution. J187 is the public notice that the account is available for inspection.

Why the J187 advertisement matters

It makes the proposed estate account open to scrutiny by interested persons.
It states the inspection period, normally 21 days unless specially varied.
It identifies the offices where the account can be inspected.
It gives objectors an opportunity to lodge objections with the Master.
It supports a controlled move from accounting to distribution once all requirements are met.

Information used to complete the J187 form

The official J187 form includes the estate number, deceased’s names and identity details, last address and Master’s office. It also covers applicable surviving-spouse information, a description of the account if it is not first and final, any inspection period other than 21 days, the Magistrate’s office and advertiser details.

The account description matters. A first and final account, amended account or supplementary account should not be described vaguely. The inspection locations and dates must also agree with the estate’s arrangements.

What happens after the 21-day inspection period?

The official J187 wording explains that, if no objection is lodged during the specified period, the executor will proceed to make payments in accordance with the account. In practice, the executor must still satisfy the Master’s outstanding requirements and deal with any objection or direction. Passing the end date without an objection is important, but it is not permission to ignore the rest of the estate file.

Real-life J187 scenario

Ms Jacobs is the executor of her late father’s Johannesburg estate. She has collected the bank balances, sold a vehicle with the required authority, assessed the creditor claims and calculated the proposed distributions to the heirs. After lodging the liquidation and distribution account and completing the steps required for inspection, she arranges the J187 advertisement. The notice identifies the first and final account, the Master’s and Magistrate’s offices and the 21-day inspection period. An heir checks the account and asks a question about a listed administration expense, which the executor answers with the supporting voucher. With no unresolved objection and the Master’s requirements addressed, the executor can move toward distribution.

J187 liquidation and distribution account lying for inspection for 21 days — J187 announces inspection of the estate account; it does not replace the account. Illustrative image.

Read the guide to the J187 liquidation and distribution account notice or visit the J187 advertisement service page.

How should J193 and J187 forms be advertised?

Both forms require careful placement, not simply a post on a random website. The statutory framework involves the Government Gazette and newspaper circulation connected to the relevant district. The Chief Master’s directives, including Directive 1 of 2025 on online estate adverts, must also be considered for the particular estate.

Our publication channels

A van Niekerk t/a Admin Boss advertises estate notices in the Government Gazette, The Citizen and on thefreepresssa.com. This gives executors a combination of statutory publication, national newspaper reach and accessible online notice exposure. The exact combination is confirmed for the estate: additional national or online exposure must not be treated as an automatic replacement for a district-specific requirement.

The advertising process, step by step

Tell us which notice you need. Supply the estate number, Master’s office, deceased’s details and last residential district.
We check the notice information. For J187, we also check the account description and inspection details.
We confirm the publication package. You receive the selected Government Gazette, newspaper and online placement details and a quotation before lodgement.
We prepare the prescribed wording. The draft is sent to you or your authorised agent for approval.
We arrange publication. Once approved, the notice is lodged for the confirmed publication schedule.
You receive proof. Keep the proof of publication with the estate records for the Master’s file.

Why proof of publication matters

Proof connects the notice on the estate file to what was actually published. It helps the executor demonstrate the wording, publication channel and date. Read our guide to proof of publication for estate notices and the current guide to Government Gazette costs and deadlines.

Our current advertised standard fee is R400 per J193 or J187 advertisement. Ask for a written quotation confirming the price and exact placement package before publication, especially if you want national newspaper exposure as an additional option.

SARS matters and winding up the estate

Advertising is only part of the executor’s work. SARS explains that a deceased person’s tax affairs and the deceased estate’s post-death income must be administered, and that the estate must be reported to SARS even when estate duty is not payable. Outstanding returns, assessments and liabilities can also affect the Deceased Estate Compliance (DEC) letter stage.

We can assist with SARS matters regarding the estate and with the practical administration to wind up the estate. This can include organising tax records, coordinating outstanding estate-tax steps, following up case requirements, preparing for the DEC letter stage and tracking the remaining estate-administration actions. SARS makes the assessments and issues the DEC letter; the Master supervises the estate.

Where the matter requires legal advice, litigation or specialist tax advice, the executor should consult the appropriate admitted attorney or registered tax professional. Read the official SARS estate-duty and deceased-estate guidance and our guide to estate duty in South Africa.

What to send before we prepare your notice

You can start with the information below. Do not send original documents by ordinary email unless we ask for them; we will tell you what is needed for the particular notice.

For a J193 notice

Estate number and Master’s office.
Deceased’s full names, identity or passport details, date of death and last residential address.
Surviving-spouse details where the official form requires them.
Executor or authorised-agent name, address and contact details.
Any claims period other than the standard 30 days that must be considered.

For a J187 notice

The estate and deceased details listed above, as applicable to the official form.
The liquidation and distribution account and its exact description.
Master’s and Magistrate’s inspection-office details.
The inspection period if it differs from 21 days.
Any Master’s direction or query affecting publication.

J193 and J187 advertising across South Africa

We assist executors, attorneys, fiduciary practitioners and families throughout South Africa, including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and Northern Cape. The publication still needs to fit the estate’s district and the Master’s requirements; nationwide service does not mean one identical placement for every estate.

Browse our nationwide service pages for J193 notices by city and town and J187 notices by city and town.

Official sources and related estate services

Official forms and reliable external resources

A van Niekerk t/a Admin Boss service pages and guides

This pillar page is provided by A van Niekerk t/a Admin Boss, with estate-notice services presented through its Estate Division.

J193 and J187 forms: 20 frequently asked questions

Open each question for a direct answer based on the official forms, the Administration of Estates Act and the practical publication process.

1. What is the J193 form used for?

The J193 form is the prescribed notice to creditors in deceased estates. It invites people with claims against the estate to lodge them with the executor and tells debtors who owe the estate money where to pay. It is an advertisement, not an application for executorship.

2. What is the J187 form used for?

The J187 form advertises that a deceased estate’s liquidation and distribution account is available for inspection. It tells interested persons where to inspect the account and gives them the stated period, normally 21 days, to lodge an objection with the Master.

3. What is the difference between J193 and J187?

J193 comes earlier and calls for claims for or against the estate. J187 comes after the executor has prepared and lodged the liquidation and distribution account, and it announces the account’s inspection period. J193 concerns claims; J187 concerns inspection and objections to the proposed account.

4. Is J193 the same as a liquidation and distribution account?

No. J193 is only the notice to creditors. The liquidation and distribution account is the executor’s financial account of assets, liabilities, administration costs and proposed distributions. The J187 advertisement later announces that this account lies open for inspection.

5. How long do creditors have to claim after a J193 notice?

The standard J193 wording states 30 days from publication, unless another period is indicated. Section 29 permits a claims period of not less than 30 days and not more than three months. Use the exact period shown in the published notice and diarise the closing date carefully.

6. How long does a J187 account lie open for inspection?

The standard period is 21 days, unless a different period is specially stated. The official form calculates the period from the stated date or the publication date, whichever is later. Check the advertisement for the exact inspection details.

7. Where must J193 and J187 notices be advertised?

The statutory process uses the Government Gazette and newspaper circulation connected to the relevant district. Approved online estate advertising is also dealt with in Chief Master Directive 1 of 2025. The executor should follow the Master’s current direction for the estate rather than assuming that any website or national publication is sufficient.

8. Can a J193 or J187 notice be advertised online only?

Do not assume that online-only publication is automatically sufficient. Chief Master Directive 1 of 2025 provides for online estate adverts in defined circumstances and must be read with the applicable legislation and earlier directive. We confirm the appropriate placement for the estate before lodging the notice.

9. Does advertising in The Citizen replace a local district newspaper?

Not automatically. The Citizen provides national newspaper exposure, but the estate must still meet the statutory and Master’s requirements for its particular district. We check the placement combination rather than treating national reach as a universal substitute.

10. Why publish estate notices on thefreepresssa.com?

The Free Press SA provides an additional online location where readers can find estate and legal notices. It improves discoverability and provides an accessible online record. It is used as part of the selected placement strategy and does not remove any separate statutory requirement.

11. What information is needed for a J193 advertisement?

The official form calls for details including the estate number, deceased’s names, identity details, last address, dates, surviving-spouse details where applicable, executor or authorised-agent details, Master’s office, claims period and advertiser contact information. Exact requirements should be checked against the current official form.

12. What information is needed for a J187 advertisement?

The official form calls for the estate number, deceased’s identity and last-address details, applicable surviving-spouse information, the account description if it is not first and final, inspection period if not 21 days, Magistrate’s office, Master’s office and advertiser details.

13. Can I distribute the estate before the J187 inspection period ends?

The executor should not distribute merely because the account has been prepared. The inspection and objection process must be completed and the Master’s requirements met before distribution proceeds. Any objection or further direction from the Master must also be resolved.

14. What happens if someone objects to the liquidation and distribution account?

The objection is lodged with the Master within the stated inspection period. The Master considers the objection and may give directions or require the account to be amended. The executor should not treat the account as final while a valid objection remains unresolved.

15. Can I submit a late claim against a deceased estate?

Section 31 of the Administration of Estates Act deals with late claims. A late claim is not automatically invalid, but the executor may need to consider the statutory requirements, the estate’s position and the Master’s direction. Obtain guidance promptly instead of ignoring the claim.

16. Do J193 and J187 adverts finalise the estate by themselves?

No. They are two important statutory advertising steps in a larger administration process. The executor must still deal with assets, claims, account requirements, tax matters, supporting documents, Master’s queries, distributions and the final file requirements.

17. Can A van Niekerk t/a Admin Boss assist with SARS matters for the estate?

Yes. We can assist the executor with practical SARS-related estate administration, including organising supporting documents, coordinating outstanding estate tax steps, following up on case requirements and preparing for the Deceased Estate Compliance letter stage. SARS makes the tax assessments and issues the DEC letter.

18. Can A van Niekerk t/a Admin Boss help wind up the whole estate?

We can assist with the administration required to wind up the estate, including the notice process, document coordination, SARS-related follow-up and progress through the Master’s requirements. Where an estate needs legal advice, litigation or specialist tax advice, the executor should use the appropriate admitted attorney or registered tax professional.

19. How much does estate notice advertising cost?

The current advertised standard fee is R400 per J193 or J187 advert, with drafting, the selected statutory placement package and proof of publication included as described on the service pages. Request a written quotation so the price, publication combination and any optional national exposure are confirmed before lodgement.

20. How do I request a J193 or J187 advert from A van Niekerk t/a Admin Boss?

Call or WhatsApp 074 487 5082, or email nicolette@adminboss.co.za with the estate number, deceased’s details, Master’s office, last residential district and the form you need. For J187, also provide the account and inspection details. We then confirm the placement, prepare the draft and send it for approval before publication.

Need a J193 or J187 advertised correctly?

Send the estate details today. Nicolette will confirm the required information, publication package and next available schedule, then arrange your draft for approval. We can also assist with SARS-related estate matters and the administration to wind up the estate.

Call or WhatsApp: 074 487 5082
General email: info@adminboss.co.za
Notice drafts: nicolette@adminboss.co.za

Request my estate notice draft

Service area: South Africa. Standard advertised fee: R400 per notice; confirm the current quotation and placement package before lodgement.

Review and legal-information note

Last reviewed: 26 October 2026 by A van Niekerk t/a Admin Boss. Sources checked include the official J193 and J187 forms, the Department of Justice deceased-estate guidance and forms index, the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965, the Chief Master’s directives and SARS deceased-estate guidance.

This page provides general information and advertisement-administration services. It is not legal or tax advice and does not replace a direction from the Master, SARS, an admitted attorney or a registered tax professional. Publication rules and official forms can change; the current official requirements for the estate must always be checked.