Deceased Estates

What to Do When a Parent Dies: A Step-by-Step Checklist

3 October 2026 /

Quick Answer

When a parent dies in South Africa: register the death, find the will, report the estate to the Master within 14 days, secure the assets — then the executor advertises the J193 (30 days) and later the J187 (21 days) before anyone inherits.

Family supporting each other while handling a deceased estate in South Africa

Image: via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

The First Two Weeks

  1. Register the death and get certified copies of the death certificate from Home Affairs.
  2. Locate the will — a bank safe, an attorney, or the Master’s file if the deceased reported it.
  3. Arrange the funeral; keep every invoice (funeral costs are estate expenses).
  4. Secure the home, vehicles and documents; notify the family before anything is touched.
  5. Report the estate to the Master of the High Court within 14 days — in person or online.

The First Two Months

  1. Notify banks, insurers, pension funds and the employer — accounts are frozen on notification, and policies with nominated beneficiaries pay out directly.
  2. Gather asset documents: title deeds, vehicle papers, investment statements, bank details.
  3. Complete the J294 death notice, J243 inventory and J192 next-of-kin affidavit with the reporting family member.
  4. Apply for letters of executorship (or Section 18(3) letters of authority for small estates).

The Months That Follow

  • The executor advertises the J193 notice to creditors — the 30-day claim period starts.
  • SARS is dealt with: final returns, estate registration, estate duty where applicable.
  • The liquidation and distribution account is prepared, approved and advertised — the 21-day inspection period.
  • Heirs are paid and the property transfers are lodged. Track the estate on the ICMS portal throughout.

What Not to Do

  • Do not distribute money or belongings before the Master’s process is complete.
  • Do not pay “family debts” from your own pocket expecting reimbursement — route everything through the executor.
  • Do not ignore creditors — the J193 advert exists so claims surface within the 30-day window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays for the funeral?

Funeral costs are a first-priority estate expense. If the estate is short, family pays upfront and claims from the estate later — which is why funeral cover with nominated beneficiaries is so valuable.

What if there is no money in the estate at all?

See our guide to insolvent estates — the family does not inherit the debt, but the estate is handled through sequestration.

How do the adverts fit into all of this?

The J193 runs early (creditors, 30 days) and the J187 runs late (the account, 21 days). Through us each is a flat R400 per advert.

Request Your Estate Advert

Overwhelmed by the admin? Send what you have below — we will confirm exactly which notices the estate needs and place them for a flat R400 per advert.

Let Us Carry the Advertising — R400 Flat

The J193 and J187 adverts are the easiest part to hand over. One flat R400 per advert, proof 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. 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.