Other important considerations include:

• It is essential to draw up a will, especially if you are in a polygamous customary marriage. You need to make sure that the people you want to leave your assets to, actually do inherit. If there is no will, an estate can sometimes take years to wind up, leaving your loved ones in financial dire straits. Remember – if you are married in community of property, your testament will only be applicable to 50% of the joint estate.
  • Proper financial planning is crucial, to ensure that your loved ones will not experience a cash shortfall upon your death. Bear in mind there may be substantial death taxes, including capital gains, estate duty and perhaps donations tax. Speak to a fiduciary specialist or qualified financial planner to assist you with an estate planning analysis, as well as with an assessment of your insurance needs to make sure your family is properly taken care of if you are no longer there.
• Make sure you have a well-considered retirement plan in place and that you continually update your chosen beneficiaries on your pension fund’s nomination forms. Remember that the beneficiaries you nominate are not cast in stone – after your death, the pension fund trustees will have to assess all claims to your pension by dependants and will use the beneficiaries you have chosen only as a guide to how the funds should be distributed.

"As in a civil union, it is very important in a customary marriage to inform your spouse(s) of all financial decisions and contractual obligations you may have. And it goes without saying that in a polygamous marriage, all spouses should know about each other! You need to have those crucial conversations as a family, before it is too late. Everyone needs to know what they will be entitled to, and what the financial arrangements will look like for the surviving spouse(s) and your children should you die," Morata concludes.