September is Wills Month and in this podcast, we discuss how you can use your will to protect your child’s legacy. Maya speaks to Alex Simeonides, CEO of Capital Legacy, about how parents can navigate the complexities of estate planning. Navigating...
Only around 30% of people who write up a will actually sign it, but an unsigned will can cause major family dramas. The only things certain in life are death and taxes, as Benjamin Franklin famously said. We will all die at some point, and when we...
Dying is an expensive business, and not only because of the cost of the funeral. There are multiple death taxes and fees that need to be paid when someone dies. If you don't plan for these, they will reduce the value of the legacy you were...
According to research by Sanlam, 75% of South Africans do not have a will. Nearly half of those who don’t have a will believe they don’t own sufficient assets to make a will worthwhile, but you'd be surprised at the family fights that can ensue...
In this podcast Maya speaks to wills and estate specialist Alex Simeonides, CEO of Capital Legacy, about the things to keep in mind when it comes to drawing up a will. Alex answers the following questions: Why are we so afraid to sign a will? How...
After the death of a loved one, you may be entitled to a death benefit. Rita Cool, certified financial planner at Alexforbes takes a look. During what is a very emotionally-charged time, the paperwork which nominees are required to complete in...
When bequeathing property, make sure you have done your estate planning properly. For most middle-class families, the primary residence is the most valuable asset in their estate, as retirement funds fall outside of one’s estate. It is not uncommon...
When a person dies intestate (which means without a will), it can become a legal and financial nightmare. If you have property, it’s important to have a will in place which takes the law into account (such as the type of marriage contract you...
David Knott of Private Client Trust explains how unmarried couples can protect themselves in the unfortunate event that one partner dies. Many unmarried couples mistakenly believe that they are protected as “common law” spouses. However, South...
Christel Botha, fiduciary services manager at Alexander Forbes, looks at the impact that various marriage contracts have in the event of the death of a spouse. The month of love has arrived, and many couples will be getting married, or planning a...
Last week was National Wills Week, which is always a great reminder to review your will. If you don’t have one, make sure you prioritise this immediately. To find out more about what should be in your will and what makes a will valid, I am speaking to Monica Moodley,...
By Elmien Pols, Private Client Trust In these interesting times in which we find ourselves, it is not unusual for people to live together, have children, buy properties and run a business together without formalising their relationship, either through marriage or a...
Our Money Makeover candidates are all parents, so estate planning is a particularly important part of their financial plan. Read this article to get tips on what to look for when drawing up your will and making sure you have tax-effective estate planning. Follow the...
A will is a very important document as it makes sure your wishes are carried out and protects your children when you no longer can. However, there are circumstances where your wishes can be superseded. Your retirement funds do not fall under your will. While you can...
Who should you select as an executor and what happens to your retirement funds when you die? Maya (@mayaonmoney) and Mapalo (@womanandfinance) unpack what you need to consider when writing up your will. Further reading: What should you include in your will?...
If you are formally employed you might have been required to join your company’s contracted retirement scheme, and they would have asked you to nominate a beneficiary for the proceeds in case you die before retirement. However, if you chose a beneficiary that is not...
Facing the breakdown of your marriage can be extremely painful emotionally, but with the right knowledge and planning, it needn’t be financially devastating as well, says Citadel Advisory Partner Kirsten Smit. “Getting divorced carries enormous financial implications,...
By David Thomson, Senior Legal Adviser at Sanlam Trust Whether you are a godparent or you’ve asked someone else to be your child’s godparent, do you have clarity on what the term actually means? There is a critical difference between a godparent and a legal guardian...
By Kezia Talbot, Legal Advisor and Remay de Kock, Legal Adviser at BDO SA. It is officially National Wills Week. Wills can get quite tricky – there are several common mistakes that are made when drafting a Will that can have a serious impact on your wishes. One of the...
Marilyn Monroe, Marla Maples, Michelle McGee, and Kristen Stewart – all successful women in their own right, with one controversial commonality – they were mistresses to married men. The term ‘mistress’ is an inflammatory one – a name as complicated as its legal...