Understanding how your (or your loved one’s) possessions and wealth are treated when you pass away is crucial to how you plan for what will happen to them. This blog is aimed at breaking down an incredibly paper-heavy, jargon-filled process! When a taxpayer dies, all their assets are placed in an estate, which is commonly referred to as a ‘deceased estate’. Assets can include a property, a car, money in the bank, and even furniture. Once […]
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How to Reduce Estate Costs
Death can be an expensive affair and it is easy to underestimate the costs involved, especially as some unconsidered fees can quickly add up. As well as the funeral expenses, those left behind can be liable to pay mortgage bond cancellation costs, appraisement costs, Master’s Office fees, legal fees, costs of realisation of assets, bank charges, transfer costs of fixed property or shares, maintenance of assets, advertising costs, probate fees, postage and sundry costs, short-term insurance, […]
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Truths About Trusts
Did you know that a trust is not simply: a trust? There are many different classifications of trusts in South Africa, such as ownership trusts, bewind trusts and curatorship trusts. Trusts can either be created during a person’s lifetime, which is known as an inter vivos trust, or set up according to a person’s will after they die, which is known as a mortis causa trust. Different trusts give beneficiaries different rights, depending on how much […]
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Don’t Underestimate your Will Power
Avoid the heartache and headache! This year, National Wills Week is from 17th to 21st September, and is a time when participating attorneys in South Africa will draft basic wills for free. If you haven’t already written a will, this presents the perfect opportunity to do so before it’s too late. Writing a will could make an enormous difference to your family in the future, and it is an easily achievable goal that will give you […]
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6 Estate Planning Tips
In the wake of the 2018 budget, there are recent changes that could affect your estate, especially with regards to paying VAT, Master’s fees and estate duty. Here’s a quick snapshot! The good news is that executor’s fees remain at 3.5% of your total assets, plus VAT. However, as you’re likely all too aware by now, VAT has increased from 14% to 15%, which means that if your executor has registered for VAT, you will feel […]
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Different money personalities
Dealing with money matters can feel like negotiating a minefield for many couples, which is highlighted in this article by Maya on Money. Money has been cited to be the biggest reason for divorce, and differing attitudes towards money in any relationship can cause friction. So let’s take a look at some basic ‘money personalities’ and you can decide with which you most identify. This may not only help you to manage your relationships, but also […]
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Should we trust in trusts?
We live in uncertain times, so it is natural for many parents to want their children to have financial security, without money worries on top of everything else. Many parents also wish to build their wealth to such an extent that it will be passed down for generations to come, and a recent article published in Maya on Money examines the use of trusts to create intergenerational wealth and ensure a financial legacy. No matter how […]
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5 key financial terms explained
Do you nod along blankly when someone talks about unit trusts, or do your eyes glaze when you hear the word ‘annuity’? Do you wish investment terms weren’t so complicated or full of abbreviations? It’s easy to get confounded by the use of financial jargon if you haven’t been trained in the financial services industry or been exposed to the world of investments before. But don’t let that put you off. It’s just a question of […]
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