The death of someone close to us is a traumatic experience. Knowing what is involved thereafter with the winding up and administration of the deceased estate will alleviate further stress and hassle. There are many possible expenses that may be necessary for the winding up of the estate and if there is no cash available in the estate then the assets would have to be sold to cover the expenses, otherwise the heirs would have to pay the expenses.
The possible expenses that your estate may have to pay are:
Executor’s fees – 3,5% plus VAT of the gross estate and 6% plus VAT of any income after death
Professional’s fees – it is often advisable to employ the services of a professional to assist with completion of the required documents and liaising with the office of the Master of the High Court
Master’s fees
Estate Duty – estates with a gross asset value of more than R3 500 000,00 are subject to Estate Duty at the rate of 20%
Costs of advertising
Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax
Accountant’s fees – an accountant may have to be employed to complete tax returns, to calculate Capital Gains Tax, to calculate the Accrual payable to the deceased
Valuation fees – for any immovable property, motor vehicles, jewellery
Bank charges
Additional security for any immovable property
In respect of immovable property to be transferred to an heir, transfer duty (payable to SARS) is exempt.
However, there are a number of other costs which are payable, such as :
The transfer Attorney’s costs
Rates payable in advance to the municipality
Levies payable in advance to managing agents
Costs payable to the Attorneys cancelling any existing bond
Costs payable to the Attorneys registering any new bond
All these expenses can add up to a large amount of money. Often there are sufficient funds in the estate to cover the expenses but the heirs will then inherit less than what you anticipated and this may for example lead to difficulties for a surviving spouse.
Clientèle has presented a new offering being an insurance for expenses incurred in the administration of deceased estates. Contact us if you would like information about the Clientèle Estate Preservation Plan and we will arrange for a PBA Financial Services Consultant to contact you.
Contact MYERS ATTORNEYS on 011 346-2422 or reception@myersattorneys.co.za for assistance with the administration of a deceased estate.