Do executors have to place deceased estate notices in South Africa?

Yes – if you’ve been appointed as the executor of a deceased estate, you are legally responsible for publishing specific estate notices as part of the estate administration process. These notices alert creditors and other interested parties that the estate is being wound up and they are a required step under South African law.

Fortunately, executors can now publish deceased estate notices online in South Africa, thanks to a major shift introduced in the Chief Master’s Directive 1 of 2025.

What are deceased estate notices?

Deceased estate notices serve as a legal announcement that someone has passed away and that their estate is being administered. There are two common types of notices:

• Section 29 notice: Informs creditors to submit claims against the estate within 30 days.
• Section 35 notice: Informs the public that the Liquidation & Distribution Account is open for inspection.

Both are mandatory and both must be published before the estate can be finalised.

What does the law require from executors?

Under the Administration of Estates Act (Act 66 of 1965), executors are required to:

• Place a Section 29 notice in a newspaper and the Government Gazette shortly after receiving their Letter of Executorship.
• Later, place a Section 35 notice once the Liquidation & Distribution Account has been submitted to the Master of the High Court.

These steps ensure that any outstanding debts can be addressed before assets are distributed to heirs.

Can executors publish estate notices online?

Yes. The Chief Master’s Directive 1 of 2025 now allows executors to publish deceased estate notices in legally compliant digital publications, not just printed newspapers.

This is excellent news for executors, attorneys and families, as it makes the process:

• Faster
• More affordable
• Accessible nationwide
• Easier to manage from anywhere

How LegalNotice.co.za supports executors

LegalNotice.co.za is a digital platform built to assist executors and legal professionals with compliant online publication of deceased estate notices.

We:

• Accept all required information via email or online form
• Draft or format your notice in English and Afrikaans
• Send you a proof to approve before publication
• Publish it on a compliant digital platform (Nuusflits.com)
• Provide a permanent public link and timestamp
• Assist with Government Gazette placement (if needed)

What you’ll need to publish your estate notice

To begin, you’ll need:

• A copy of the Letter of Executorship
• The deceased’s full name, ID number, and last known address
• The date of death
• Information for the spouse, if applicable
• The Master’s Office where the estate is being administered
• Your contact information

You can send this directly to us via placement@legalnotice.co.za and we’ll take care of the rest.

If you are the executor of an estate, it is your legal duty to ensure that estate notices are published correctly and on time. Thanks to new legal allowances, online publication is now fully recognised, making your job easier.

LegalNotice.co.za exists to simplify this process, reduce your admin burden and ensure your estate is compliant – quickly and professionally.

Submit your notice here
Or contact us directly at placement@legalnotice.co.za