How much does a J193 notice cost?

Admin Boss u2013 Estate Division charges a flat R400 per advert. This covers drafting in the prescribed wording, Government Gazette placement, newspaper or approved online placement, and proof of publication.

How long does a J193 notice run for?

The notice must invite claims for at least 30 days from the date of publication, as required by Section 29 of the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965.

Where must a J193 notice be published?

In the Government Gazette and in a newspaper circulating in the district where the deceased ordinarily lived. Under Chief Master Directive 1 of 2025, an approved online publication may be used where printed publication is not feasible.

What details must appear in the notice?

The deceasedu2019s full names, identity number, dates of birth and death, last address, estate number, the executoru2019s details and where claims must be lodged.

How long do creditors have to lodge a claim?

Creditors have a minimum of 30 days from the date the notice is published. The executor cannot finalise creditor payments before this period expires.

Where must a J193 notice be published?

In the Government Gazette and in a newspaper that circulates in the district where the deceased ordinarily lived. Both publications are required for the notice to be valid.

What happens if the J193 notice is not published?

The estate cannot be finalised lawfully. The Master of the High Court will not accept the liquidation and distribution account, and the executor remains personally exposed to claims from creditors who were never notified.

What does it cost to advertise a J193 notice?

Costs depend on the newspaper required for the district and the length of the notice. Admin Boss - Estate Division prepares a fixed quotation before anything is submitted, so there are no surprises.

J193 Notice to Creditors | Flat R400 Advert Service

Quick Answer

A J193 notice to creditors is the Section 29 advert that calls on everyone who has a claim against a deceased estate — or who owes the estate money — to come forward within 30 days. It must be published in the Government Gazette and a newspaper (or approved online publication). Admin Boss – Estate Division prepares, places and proves your J193 notice for a flat R400 per advert.

Newspaper printing press producing a J193 notice to creditors for the Government Gazette

Image: Wikimedia Commons contributor, via Wikimedia Commons

What Is a J193 Notice to Creditors?

When someone passes away in South Africa, the estate must be reported to the Master of the High Court and an executor is appointed to wind it up. Before any heir can be paid, the law requires a public call for claims. That call is the J193 notice to creditors, prescribed by Section 29 of the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965.

The notice protects everyone involved: creditors get a fair chance to claim what they are owed, people who owed money to the deceased are told where to pay, and the executor gains legal protection against late claims.

What the Law Requires

The notice must be published in the Government Gazette and in a newspaper circulating in the district where the deceased ordinarily lived. Under Chief Master Directive 1 of 2025, an approved online publication may be used where printed publication is not feasible.
Claims must be invited for a period of not less than 30 days from publication.
The notice must name the executor and state where claims must be lodged.
The prescribed J193 wording must be followed exactly.

What Goes Into a J193 Notice

Full names and identity number of the deceased, plus the last residential address.
Date of death and, where known, the date of birth.
The estate number issued by the Master’s office.
The name, physical address and contact details of the executor or agent.
The Master’s office where the estate is being administered.
The closing date for claims — at least 30 days after publication.

Our Service and Pricing: One Flat Fee of R400

Admin Boss – Estate Division advertises your J193 notice for a flat, once-off fee of R400 per advert. No hidden charges, no percentage of the estate, no surprises. The R400 covers everything:

Drafting — we prepare the notice in the exact prescribed J193 wording.
Government Gazette placement — lodgement with the Government Printing Works for the next available Friday Gazette.
Newspaper or online placement — we book the correct local newspaper, or an approved online publication under Chief Master Directive 1 of 2025.
Proof of publication — you receive the Gazette copy and placement confirmation for the Master’s file.

The J187 liquidation and distribution account advert is the same flat R400 per advert. Send both together and we handle the whole advertising side of the estate for R750.

How It Works

Send us the estate details using the form below, by email or on our contact page.
We draft the J193 notice and email it to you for approval the same day.
You approve the draft — or tell us what to change.
We lodge with the Government Printing Works and book the newspaper or online placement.
You receive proof of publication for the Master’s file.

J193 vs J187 at a Glance

	J193 — Notice to Creditors	J187 — Liquidation and Distribution Account
Purpose	Calls for claims for and against the estate	Opens the estate account for public inspection
Legal basis	Section 29	Section 35(5)
Published in	Government Gazette + newspaper or approved online publication	Government Gazette + newspaper or approved online publication
Period	30 days for claims	21 days for inspection
Fee	Flat R400	Flat R400

Need the account advert instead? See our J187 Liquidation and Distribution Account service page.

Advertising Options and Package Deals

Every advert includes drafting in the prescribed wording, placement and proof of publication for the Master’s file. Choose the reach that suits the estate:

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.

Not sure which option fits the estate? Send us the details and we will recommend the right placement for the district, with a fixed quotation before anything is lodged.

Request Your Estate Advert

Complete the form below and Nicolette will come back to you with the draft J193 notice and the next available Government Gazette date. Prefer to talk first? Call 074 487 5082 or email nicolette@adminboss.co.za.

Estate Notices in the Press

Our Notices Also Run in The Free Press SA

Deceased estate and legal notices placed by Admin Boss – Estate Division also appear in The Free Press SA, where readers across South Africa can browse them online.

View Previous Ads

Adverts run and managed by The Free Press SA.

Ready to Advertise? Talk to Nicolette

Send the estate details today — your J193 notice can be in the next Friday Government Gazette. Flat R400 per advert, proof of publication included.

Get a Quotation

nicolette@adminboss.co.za • 074 487 5082

A division of Admin Boss — small-business administration services, South Africa.

Official Resources

Related Guides

Last updated: 4 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.

Please take note: We make use of The Citizen newspaper to advertise. They advertise throughout South Africa and online. Read more about the requirements to advertise an estate as set out by the Master of the High Court.