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If you’ve been appointed as the executor of a deceased estate, you may now publish a deceased estate notice online in South Africa – a faster and legally accepted alternative to print. These notices form a crucial part of the estate administration process, alerting creditors, debtors, heirs and the public that the estate is being wound up.
In the past, this meant placing the notices in printed newspapers, but that changed with the Chief Master’s Directive 1 of 2025. This directive allows for legal publication of deceased estate notices online, making the process faster, efficient and more cost-effective.
Publishing a deceased estate notice online requires an understanding of the legal process, clear compliance with the Master’s Office requirements and the right digital newspaper platform – which is exactly what LegalNotice.co.za provides.
What is a deceased estate notice?
A deceased estate notice is a legally required advertisement that must be placed at two points during estate administration:
- Section 29 notice: A public call to creditors and debtors to submit claims
- Section 35 notice: Notice that the liquidation and distribution (L&D) account is open for inspection
These notices must be published in:
- The Government Gazette
- A newspaper or online newspaper circulating in the district where the deceased resided
This requirement ensures transparency and gives all interested parties a fair chance to respond.
2025 update: Digital publishing is now legally accepted
Thanks to the Chief Master’s Directive 1 of 2025, estate notices can now be legally published online – provided specific conditions are met.
A compliant online estate notice must:
- Be freely accessible to the public
- Target the correct district or jurisdiction
- Appear in both English and Afrikaans, where required
This directive was introduced to address the decline of printed newspapers, especially in rural areas and to modernise the estate administration process.
LegalNotice.co.za meets all the legal criteria and is already used by attorneys, fiduciary firms and private executors across South Africa.
Who may publish a deceased estate notice?
- Attorneys acting on behalf of an estate
- Trust companies and fiduciary service providers
- Individual executors named in the will (or appointed by the Master)
If you’re an executor or working in estate administration, you are entitled to publish the estate notices through an approved digital platform like LegalNotice.co.za.
How to publish an estate notice online
1. Submit your draft notice
You can upload your notice directly via our website or send it by email to placement@legalnotice.co.za.
2. We edit and format it for compliance
Your notice is reviewed by our legal publishing team and formatted to match Master’s Office and Gazette requirements, including bilingual content if applicable.
3. Choose your publication date
We confirm your publication date, or you can request the soonest available slot.
4. Receive proof of publication
Once your notice is published, you’ll receive an official proof of publication, which can be submitted to the Master’s Office.
Optional: Government Gazette submission
We also offer the option to place your notice in the Government Gazette, as required by law – handled by our team on your behalf.
Why publish your deceased estate notice online?
Publishing online through a compliant platform like LegalNotice.co.za gives you:
- Faster turnaround (usually within 24–48 hours)
- Legally compliant formatting for Section 29 and Section 35 notices
- Bilingual publication where needed
- Proof of publication for your estate file
- A platform trusted by legal professionals and fiduciary firms nationwide
Unlike traditional print newspapers, we focus exclusively on legal publishing – ensuring every detail is correct, every time.
Ready to publish your estate notice?
Publishing an estate notice doesn’t have to be slow, complicated or expensive.
Click here to upload your notice today or email us at placement@legalnotice.co.za. Our team will take care of everything – professionally, legally and efficiently.
