Your first step is to select either a single or joint will.

• A Single Will is a document with one person’s instructions (will) of how to deal with his/her estate after passing away.
• A Joint Will is a document with two (or more) people’s instructions (will) of how to deal with their estate after the death of either or both.

After completing your online will, you can print out and sign it according to the instructions stipulated in the email you will receive.

You need to deliver the printed and signed will to us, from where it will be sent to Sanlam Trust for safe storage. Alternatively you can courier the documents to: Sanlam Trust, Sanlam Head Office, 2 Strand Road, Bellville, 7530 or take it to your nearest Sanlam Client Care Centre. You can also post the documents to: Sanlam Trust, P.O. Box 1260, Sanlamhof, 7532

If a person dies without a will, it could lead to severe administrative, tax and legal problems and possibly also lead to financial losses.

In your will, you determine how your assets should be divided, and nominate an executor and trustee to take care of the division of the estate's assets and to handle the administration of any trust assets.

You have the right to name heirs as you wish in your will. If you don't, your assets will be divided according to the Intestate Succession Act, No 81 of 1987, after your death. This could mean that persons you would have preferred not inherit from you, could inherit.

Your will therefore determines the future of everything that you've built up through the years – and your heirs can be directly disadvantaged if you don't plan correctly. Estate duty, income tax, VAT and capital gains tax (CGT) can take a big chunk out of your estate if your planning is wrong.

If you suspect that your will might be more complicated (for instance because there are children from a previous marriage, complex business arrangements and specific wishes), contact us.

The executor of your estate must administer your estate in terms of the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965, and any other relevant Acts, and execute your estate in accordance with the stipulations of your will (or Intestate Succession Act, when applicable) under supervision of the Master of the High Court. The executor is the company, firm or person that you appointed in your will.

The appointment of an executor is a big responsibility. You may appoint your spouse, but this is in most cases not a good idea, since your spouse could be emotionally shattered and not ready to take important financial decisions.

Without the necessary knowledge, your spouse will also not know where to get the best advice or service. Your spouse may be exposed to someone serving his own interests, in which case the estate's chequebook might end up in the wrong hands.

Approaching a reputable company or section of a company specialising in wills, estates and trusts is a much safer idea:

• You will enjoy the benefits of specialised experience and knowledge
• Your estate will be handled deftly and professionally and you are ensured of objective advice
• You enjoy complete security through internal control
• Sophisticated computer systems ensure top quality service

As a leading trust company in South Africa, Sanlam Trust offers expert management of deceased solvent estates and living and testamentary trusts.

Sanlam Trust charges a nominal annual fee of R57 which covers the administration costs and safe keeping of your will in a vault.

You will also get:

• A 5% discount on executor’s fees on estates larger than R950 000 (terms and conditions apply)
• Free revision of your will on request
• A free living will on request. A living will allows you to detail your desires regarding medical treatment when you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious and no longer able to express informed consent, making things easier for your family.

The content of a Shariah will is fixed and complies with Muslim or Islamic laws. If you would like to compile a Shariah will please contact us.

If you or your beneficiaries have any queries or would like to make changes to the will, please contact us.

• An email with instructions will be sent to the email address provided
• Please review, print and sign the will
• Once you’ve signed your will, please take the original printed and signed copy to your BlueStar or nearest Sanlam Client Care Centre, who will deliver it to Sanlam Trust for safe storage in our vault at a nominal annual fee of R57