J193 Notice to Creditors Explained (Section 29)
Quick Answer
A Section 29 notice — published on the prescribed J193 form — is the advert in which the executor of a deceased estate calls on creditors and debtors to come forward within 30 days. It must appear in the Government Gazette and in a newspaper circulating where the deceased lived.
What Section 29 of the Administration of Estates Act Says
Section 29 of the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965 obliges every executor to advertise for claims against the estate. The advert must state a period of not less than 30 days within which claims must be lodged, and it must appear in the Government Gazette and in a newspaper circulating in the district where the deceased ordinarily resided.
Until that period has expired, the executor may not finalise creditor payments. This protects creditors from being paid late or not at all, and it protects the executor from claims surfacing after the money has been distributed.
What the J193 Notice Must Contain
The notice follows the prescribed J193 form. A valid notice states:
- The full names, surname and identity number of the deceased.
- The last residential address and the date of death.
- The estate number issued by the office of the Master.
- The name, physical address and contact details of the executor or agent.
- The closing date for claims, at least 30 days after publication.
Where and When the Notice Is Published
The Government Gazette appears every Friday, and the Government Printing Works requires notices several working days in advance. The newspaper placement is chosen to match the district where the deceased lived — a Johannesburg estate is not properly advertised in a Cape Town paper. We book both publications together so the 30-day period starts without delay. You can verify every edition on the Government Printing Works legal gazettes page.
Photo: Douglas W. Jones, CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What Happens After the 30 Days
Once the claim period closes, the executor reconciles the claims received, pays valid debts in the legal order of preference, and then prepares the liquidation and distribution account. That account is advertised next with the J187 notice, which opens a 21-day inspection period.
J193 vs J187 at a Glance
| J193 | J187 | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Calls for claims against the estate | Opens the account for inspection |
| Legal basis | Section 29 | Section 35(5) |
| Minimum period | 30 days | 21 days |
| When | Soon after the executor is appointed | After the account is prepared |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Section 29 notice the same as a J193 notice?
Yes. Section 29 of the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965 is the law that requires the advert, and J193 is the prescribed form used to publish it. The two terms refer to the same notice to creditors.
When must the Section 29 notice be published?
After the Master has issued the letters of executorship and before the liquidation and distribution account is lodged. In practice the executor advertises as soon as possible so the 30-day claim period can start running.
What information must a Section 29 notice contain?
The full names, identity number and last address of the deceased, the date of death, the estate number, the name and address of the executor, the office of the Master where the estate is administered, and the closing date for claims.
What happens if a creditor misses the 30-day deadline?
A late claim is not automatically lost, but once the account is confirmed and the estate is distributed, recovering the money becomes far harder. Creditors should always lodge claims within the 30 days.
Must the Gazette and newspaper adverts appear on the same day?
No, but executors usually arrange both in the same week. The 30-day claim period runs from the date of publication, so both adverts are placed as close together as possible.
Related Guides
- J193 Notice to Creditors Service — let us draft and place the advert for you
- How to Advertise a Deceased Estate — the full process from death notice to payout
- Deceased Estate Notices Glossary and FAQs — every estate term explained in plain English
- Recent Deceased Estate Notices — notices we have published in recent Gazettes
Official Resources
- Official J193 Form (PDF) — the prescribed notice wording
- Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965 (PDF) — Section 29 sets out the creditor notice
- Department of Justice: Deceased Estates — the role of the Master of the High Court
Ready to Advertise? Talk to Nicolette
Send us the estate details and we will prepare the notice, a fixed quotation, and the publication plan for the next Friday Government Gazette.
Last reviewed on 2 October 2026 against the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965 and the publication requirements of the Government Printing Works. Admin Boss – Estate Division is a notice publication and administrative service, not a law firm; we do not give legal advice.