Last Will and Testament

✓ Designed for use in South Africa

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Create your Last Will and Testament for use in South Africa. Answer a few plain-English questions and the document fills in automatically as you go - then download it in Word and PDF, ready to sign or share.

  • Answer 44 simple questions - the document fills in as you go
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Below you can preview the Last Will and Testament, complete it by answering a few plain-English questions, and download a ready-to-sign copy in Word and PDF - tailored for use in South Africa.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Last Will and Testament?

A Last Will and Testament is a ready-to-use legal template for South Africa. You complete it by answering a few plain-English questions, then download the finished document in Word and PDF.

What formats can I download?

You can download your completed Last Will and Testament as an editable Microsoft Word (.docx) file and as a PDF.

Can I edit the document later?

Yes - save it to your account and you can re-open, edit and re-download it at any time.

Is a Last Will and Testament legally binding?

Once it is properly completed and signed by everyone involved, a Last Will and Testament is generally legally binding in South Africa, provided it meets the legal requirements that apply to this type of document.

What laws apply to a Last Will and Testament in South Africa?

A Last Will and Testament should comply with the laws in force in South Africa. This template is built around the provisions such situations commonly require, but the rules can vary by region and change over time, so check the current requirements for your case.

Do I need a lawyer to use a Last Will and Testament?

For most standard situations you can complete the Last Will and Testament yourself using the guided questionnaire. For high-value, unusual or high-risk matters, it is sensible to have a qualified lawyer review the finished document.

How do I sign the Last Will and Testament?

Download the completed Last Will and Testament as Word or PDF and sign it as required in South Africa. Depending on the document this may involve a handwritten or electronic signature, and some documents also need witnesses.

Is the Last Will and Testament free?

You can preview the Last Will and Testament and fill it in for free. A one-time fee applies only when you download the finished, ready-to-sign document in Word and PDF.

How long does it take to complete a Last Will and Testament?

Most people finish the Last Will and Testament in just a few minutes by answering the plain-English questions. You can save your progress and come back to it at any time.

Prepared and reviewed by the LegalDocs team.

Document preview

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

I, the undersigned,

Full names of the testator: ________
Identity number of the testator: ________
Residential address of the testator: ________
Marital status and property regime: ________

declare this to be my last will.

1. REVOCATION

I revoke all previous wills, codicils and other testamentary writings made by me, whether alone or jointly with any other person, except any will made by me that deals only with my assets outside the Republic of South Africa.

2. Executor

As executor of my estate I nominate:

Full name of the executor: ________
Identity number of the executor: ________
Residential address of the executor: ________

If that person dies before me, declines the appointment, or is unable or ceases to act before my estate has been fully administered, I nominate in his or her place:

Full name of the alternative executor: ________
Identity number of the alternative executor: ________
Residential address of the alternative executor: ________

3. Security

No executor appointed under clause 2 is to be required by the Master of the High Court to furnish security in terms of the Administration of Estates Act, 1965 (Act No. 66 of 1965).

4. POWERS OF MY EXECUTOR

My executor will have all the powers allowed by law. In particular, my executor may sell, lease, mortgage or otherwise deal with any movable or immovable asset of my estate, by public auction or private treaty and on such terms as my executor thinks fit, without the consent of my heirs or an order of court.

5. LEGACIES

I leave the following legacies:

5.1 a cash legacy of

Specific cash bequest amount: ________

to:

Full name of the cash legatee: ________
Identity number of the cash legatee: ________
Residential address of the cash legatee: ________

5.2 my immovable property (or, if that property forms part of a joint estate in community of property, my half share in it) at

Physical address of bequeathed immovable property: ________
Erf or title deed description of bequeathed immovable property: ________

to:

Full name of property legatee: ________
Identity number of property legatee: ________

The property passes free of any mortgage bond or other encumbrance, and any amount owing on the bond must be paid out of the residue of my estate.

6. Residue

The residue of my estate, wherever situated (other than assets disposed of by a will referred to in clause 1), goes to:

Full name of sole residual heir: ________
Identity number of sole residual heir: ________
Residential address of sole residual heir: ________

Should that heir die before me, fail to survive me by ________ days or repudiate the inheritance, the residue will go instead to:

Full name of substitute residual heir: ________
Identity number of substitute residual heir: ________
Residential address of substitute residual heir: ________

7. TRUST FOR MINORS

Any benefit under this will that vests in a beneficiary under the age of ________ years will not be paid to that beneficiary's guardian or into the Guardian's Fund. It is to be held in trust instead by:

Full name of testamentary trustee: ________
Identity number of testamentary trustee: ________

If that person dies before me, declines the appointment, or is unable or ceases to act, I appoint as trustee in his or her place:

Full name of alternative testamentary trustee: ________
Identity number of alternative testamentary trustee: ________

No trustee is to be required to furnish security to the Master.

My trustee may invest the trust capital in such investments as the trustee deems fit, and shall apply the income, and so much of the capital as may be needed, for the maintenance, education and welfare of the beneficiary. On reaching that age, the beneficiary is entitled to receive whatever capital remains.

Note: If no beneficiary is likely to be a minor, replace the text of this clause with the words "Not applicable" rather than deleting it, so that the numbering stays intact.

8. Exclusion from community and accrual

Every benefit under this will is excluded from any community of property, and from the accrual system under the Matrimonial Property Act, 1984 (Act No. 88 of 1984), in any present or future marriage of the beneficiary. It remains the separate property of the beneficiary and is not subject to the claims of a spouse or a spouse's creditors.

9. GUARDIAN

Should my spouse or the other parent of my minor children die before me, or be unable to exercise parental responsibilities and rights in respect of my minor children (including any child adopted by me), I appoint as guardian of those children:

Full name of legal guardian: ________
Identity number of legal guardian: ________
Residential address of legal guardian: ________

The guardian need not furnish security to the Master.

Note: Under the Children's Act, 2005, a guardian appointed by will acts only if the testator was the sole guardian of the child at the time of death.

10. Collation

None of my heirs or legatees need bring into collation any gift, advance or other benefit I gave them during my lifetime; all such benefits are to be treated as outright donations.

11. DEBTS AND TAXES

12. Applicable law

This will is to be interpreted in accordance with the law of the Republic of South Africa.

Place of signature: ________
Date of execution: ________

Signature of testator: ________
TESTATOR

Full names of the testator: ________

AS WITNESSES

Signed by ________ as the testator's last will in our presence, both of us being present at the same time, and signed by us in the presence of the testator and of each other. Neither of us is an executor, trustee, guardian, heir or legatee under this will, or the spouse of any person appointed or benefiting under it.

FIRST WITNESS

Signature of first witness: ________
Full name of first witness: ________
Identity number of first witness: ________
Residential address of first witness: ________

SECOND WITNESS

Signature of second witness: ________
Full name of second witness: ________
Identity number of second witness: ________
Residential address of second witness: ________

Fields you complete are inserted into the document live. This template is general guidance only - not legal advice.