Form J193: Notice to creditors in deceased estates

When a person passes away in South Africa, their estate must be wound up in terms of the Administration of Estates Act, No. 66 of 1965. One of the first legal steps in this process is to publish a Notice to Creditors using Form J193. This ensures that anyone who is owed money by the deceased has a fair opportunity to submit their claim against the estate.

CLICK HERE to request the J193 form to your inbox.

Purpose of the J193 notice

The J193 notice protects both the executor and the estate. It serves as an official announcement that the estate has been reported to the Master of the High Court, that an executor has been appointed, and that creditors now have a limited period in which to lodge their claims.

The law requires that this notice appear in both the Government Gazette and a local or online newspaper circulating in the district where the deceased lived.

What the notice must contain

A properly drafted Form J193 includes the following:

• The full name, surname and identity number of the deceased
• The date of death and last address
• The Master’s Office where the estate has been registered and the estate number
• The name and address of the appointed executor or authorised agent
• A statement inviting creditors and debtors to lodge their claims within 30 days from the date of publication

ALSO READ: Place a legal notice in South Africa

Why publication matters

Without proof of proper publication, the Master of the High Court will not proceed with the estate’s administration. The publication date on the J193 notice sets the legal timeframe for creditors’ responses. Once this 30-day period has expired and all valid claims are settled, the executor may proceed to prepare the Liquidation and Distribution Account (Form J187).

How to publish a Form J193 notice

At LegalNotice.co.za, we handle the entire process — from formatting your notice correctly to arranging publication in both the Government Gazette and an online newspaper that complies with the Chief Master’s Directive 1 of 2025.

To place a Form J193 notice:

1. Complete our request form or email jana@legalnotice.co.za.
2. We’ll prepare a proof for approval within 24 hours.
3. Once approved and paid, we’ll arrange publication and send you proof of placement.

The J193 notice is not just a formality — it is a critical legal safeguard in estate administration. Publishing it accurately and on time ensures compliance with South African law and protects both the executor and beneficiaries from future disputes.

For quick, compliant and affordable publication, click here to request the form to your inbox.