How do you find a will of a deceased person online

 

In South Africa, wills themselves generally aren’t publicly accessible online due to privacy concerns. However, there are ways to investigate whether a will exists and potentially track the estate administration process:

 

1. Deceased Estate Notices:

 

• 📌 Look for deceased estate notices published online through the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development’s Magisterial Services website (https://www.justice.gov.za/).
• 📌 Search by the deceased’s name or estate number (if you have it) using the online system.
• 📌 The notice might mention the presence of a will by naming an executor appointed in the document.
• 📌 It won’t reveal the contents of the will.

 

 

2. Contacting the Executor/Administrator:

 

• 📌 If the deceased estate notice identifies an executor or administrator, you can contact them directly.
• 📌 They might confirm the existence of a will, but won’t necessarily share its contents due to privacy and legal restrictions.

 

 

3. Master of the High Court:

 

• 📌 The Master of the High Court oversees estate administration. While they won’t disclose the will’s content, they might confirm its existence and provide details on the administering Master’s Office handling the estate.

 

 

4. Legal Representation:

 

• 📌 Consulting a lawyer specializing in estate law is recommended if you have a legitimate claim to the estate or require assistance in navigating the process.
• 📌 Lawyers can advise on your rights and potentially help you access relevant information through legal channels.

 

 

Important Considerations:

 

• 🗸 Privacy: The contents of a will are generally considered private and not disclosable to everyone.
• 🗸 Legal Beneficiary: If you’re named as a beneficiary in the will, you’ll likely be contacted by the executor during the administration process.
• 🗸 Legal Action: In rare situations, legal action might be necessary to contest the validity of a will or challenge its execution. This should only be pursued under proper legal guidance.

 

 

Remember: Finding the actual will online is generally not possible due to privacy laws. The methods mentioned above can help you investigate its existence and potentially get indirect information through the estate administration process.

 

 

Read more:

• ✅ Administration of deceased estates Act
• ✅ Banks that assist with wills
• ✅ Administrator of deceased estate
• ✅ Deceased Estate legal terms
• ✅ Deceased estate notice
• ✅ How to claim inheritance money
• ✅ Late claims for deceased estate
• ✅ Master of High Court for deceased estates
• ✅ Onbudsman for deceased estates
• ✅ Punishment for taking money from a deceased account
• ✅ Settle deceased estate
• ✅ Tracking deceased estate
• ✅ Transfer property after death without a will
• ✅ Will dispute process
• ✅ Wills Act
• ✅ Withdrawing money from deceased estate