When a person passes away, their estate must be administered and distributed to their beneficiaries. The process of estate administration is overseen by the Master of the High Court, a judicial officer appointed to perform various functions related to the...
As a business owner, dealing with unpaid invoices can be both frustrating and financially damaging, especially when the client in question is your biggest one. Navigating this situation can be challenging, but taking proactive measures can help protect your business...
If you are a beneficiary of a deceased estate, you may be relying on the executor to manage the estate’s affairs fairly and transparently. However, not all executors act in the best interests of the beneficiaries, and it’s critical to recognize the red flags that may indicate a problem.
Trusts are used to manage and protect assets, provide for beneficiaries, and give effect to estate planning or commercial arrangements. When a trust is not properly administered, or when beneficiaries, trustees, creditors, or interested parties disagree about the...
In this article, Cathleen Breedt looks at Cooling Off Periods – what are they, and how can they be of benefit to you?
Shelly is a second-year cinematography student at a well-known tertiary education institution. At the end of her first year, she requested from the finance department a quotation for her second year of studies. This was presented to her on a document named a tax invoice. The quotation was accepted in that Shelly duly enrolled for her second year by making payment of the deposit requested. In April of her second year, Shelly requested an updated statement from the finance department of the college and was presented with a further “tax invoice”. On this second tax invoice however, Shelly noticed that the amounts previously indicated as the price per module, had suddenly increased! She naturally was very upset about this as she is working part time to pay for her studies and thus requested legal advice in this regard. Does Shelly have any recourse?
Do I have a right to death benefits I was nominated for, and when does it vest?
Lara has approached us with a predicament she finds herself in. Her husband Ben has died and there is a death benefit policy by ABC Insurance to which he was subscribed. The nominated beneficiary of the death benefit was Ben’s father. This matter is complicated because Ben’s father had died some two years before Ben had died. The estate of Ben’s father was at the time of Ben’s death, not wrapped up and now the executor for the estate of Ben’s father, has laid claim to the death benefits to be paid into the estate. Lara feels that the benefits should accrue to her as she was his wife. Does the fact that, she was for the most part financially dependent on Ben and was his wife, not mean that his assets should automatically be hers?
Right to death benefits: Lara has approached us with a predicament. Her husband Ben has died and there is a death benefit policy by ABC Insurance to which he was subscribed. The nominated beneficiary of the death benefits was Ben’s father. This matter is complicated because Ben’s father had actually passed away some two years before Ben had passed away. The estate of Ben’s father was at the time of Ben’s death not wrapped up and now the executor for the estate of Ben’s father has laid claim to the death benefits to be paid into the estate. Lara feels that the benefits should accrue to her, she was his wife after all? Does the fact that she was for the most part financially dependent on Ben and was his wife not mean that his assets should automatically be hers?
Summary judgment can be sought in certain circumstances when an action is defended, that is, when the person being sued gives notice that they dispute the Plaintiff's claim and want to defend themselves and state their case. It is a remedy pursued by a Plaintiff...
