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The steps to advertise a deceased estate notice can seem complicated when you are unsure which form to use, where the notice must appear or what proof must be submitted to the Master of the High Court.
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Advertising is an important part of the deceased-estate administration process. Depending on the stage of the estate, the executor may need to publish a notice in both the Government Gazette and a newspaper that circulates in the relevant area. Legal Notice Publishing assists executors, attorneys, fiduciary professionals and trust companies with the publication of deceased-estate notices in the Government Gazette and an online newspaper.
Why must a deceased estate be advertised?
Deceased-estate notices protect creditors, heirs and other interested parties by making important information about the estate publicly available. Section 29 of the Administration of Estates Act requires an executor to publish a notice calling on creditors to submit their claims. The notice must generally appear in the Government Gazette and a newspaper circulating in the area where the deceased ordinarily lived. Later in the administration process, a further notice may be required when the liquidation and distribution account is available for inspection.
Understanding which notice is required is therefore the first of the important steps to advertise correctly.
Step 1: identify the correct deceased-estate notice
The two notices most frequently used during the administration of a deceased estate are the J193 and J187 notices.
J193 creditor notice
The J193 notice is published in terms of section 29 of the Administration of Estates Act. It calls on creditors and other people with claims against the deceased estate to lodge those claims with the executor. The claim period is usually 30 days from the date of the latest publication. This notice is normally placed after the executor has received the required appointment from the Master.
J187 liquidation and distribution account notice
The J187 notice is used when the liquidation and distribution account is ready to lie open for inspection. The notice informs interested parties that the account may be inspected for 21 days at the relevant Master’s Office and, where applicable, the Magistrate’s Court. During this period, an interested party may inspect the account and lodge an objection. A J187 notice should not be submitted before the account has been examined and permission to advertise has been received where required.
Step 2: collect the required estate information
The next step is to collect the information that must appear in the notice.
Depending on the notice, this may include:
- The full name of the deceased
- Identity or passport number
- Date of birth and date of death
- Last residential address
- Estate number
- Master’s Office where the estate was registered
- Name and contact details of the executor or authorised agent
- Address where claims must be submitted
- Details of where the account will lie open for inspection
- The required claim or inspection period
The information should be checked carefully before submission. An incorrect estate number, date or Master’s Office can affect the validity of the notice and may result in delays or republication.
Step 3: complete the correct form
Complete either the J193 or J187 form using the information from the estate file. Do not leave out information that is required for publication. The information on the form should also correspond with the letters of executorship, letters of authority or other documents issued by the Master. Legal Notice Publishing provides the relevant form and can review the submission for obvious missing information before it is processed.
Step 4: submit the notice for publication
Once the form has been completed, it can be submitted to Legal Notice Publishing. The submission should include the completed notice form, the client’s contact details and any information needed for invoicing. Proof of payment should also be provided where payment is required before the booking can be processed. After receiving the submission, the publication details are prepared for placement in the Government Gazette and the relevant newspaper publication.
Step 5: publish in the Government Gazette and a newspaper
One of the most important steps to advertise a deceased estate is ensuring that the notice appears in the correct publications. The legislation requires publication in the Government Gazette and a newspaper circulating in the relevant area. Chief Master’s Directive 1 of 2025 confirms that an online newspaper may be acceptable where printed publication is not feasible, provided that the publication reaches the relevant district and the notice can be viewed online without charge. Legal Notice Publishing arranges both parts of the publication process, reducing the need for the executor or estate administrator to deal separately with different publishers.
Step 6: check the published notice
Once publication has taken place, check the notice to confirm that the details were published correctly.
Pay particular attention to:
- The deceased’s name
- The estate number
- The claim or inspection dates
- The executor’s contact information
- The relevant Master’s Office
- The address where claims must be submitted or the account inspected
Any possible error should be reported as soon as it is identified.
Step 7: keep the publication records
The final step is to retain proper evidence that the notice was published. Legal Notice Publishing supplies the relevant proof of newspaper publication and Government Gazette publication. A Verified Publication Record may also be supplied, providing a digital record of the published notice with a direct link or QR code. These records should be kept in the estate file and submitted to the Master when required.
Common mistakes when advertising an estate notice
Delays often occur because the wrong form is submitted or information is missing. Common mistakes include submitting a J187 before the J193 process has been completed, using an incorrect estate number, omitting the Master’s Office, providing an incomplete address or missing the publication deadline. Checking the form before submission can prevent unnecessary republication costs and delays in finalising the estate.
A simpler way to advertise deceased-estate notices
Following the correct steps to advertise a deceased estate notice does not need to involve unnecessary administration. Legal Notice Publishing provides a single publication channel for Government Gazette and online newspaper publication. We assist with J193 and J187 notices and provide the publication records needed for the estate file.
Submit your deceased-estate notice through Legal Notice Publishing for professional processing, publication and proof of publication.
