Place a Section 29 or 35 notice

    Insights Hub

    Estate planning guidance for South Africans

    Articles, a glossary of 35 terms, and free downloadable guides, written for South Africans who want to understand the system before they have to deal with it.

    Open the glossaryDownload a guidePathways by life stage

    How we maintain this content

    Every guide on When I Am Gone is written and maintained by our in-house editorial team. We date every page with both its publication date and its last review date, and we refresh articles when South African law or practice changes.

    For bereaved families

    The First Two Weeks

    A calm, day-by-day companion for South African families in the early days after a death - registering the death, funeral, who to notify, opening the estate, immediate finances. Printable kit.

    Open the companion

    Browse by topic

    (2)(2)(7)(5)(1)

    Articles

    Articles

    In-depth, South African-focused estate planning articles.

    Glossary

    Estate planning, A to Z

    35 estate planning terms explained clearly, with anchor links you can share. From Beneficiary to Wills Act.

    Administration of Estates ActBeneficiaryBequestCapital Gains Tax (CGT)Conduit principleCurator bonisDeath Notice (J294)Donations TaxEstate duty

    Open the glossary

    SA estate guides

    Practical guides for SA banks, insurers and the Master's Office

    A growing library of practical South African guides: closing accounts at every major bank, reporting an estate at each Master's Office, claiming life insurance from each insurer, executor checklists and SARS deceased-estate filings.

    Browse all guides

    Planning tools

    Estimate what it will cost

    Two free calculators to help you plan. The estate cost estimator uses the Regulation 8 prescribed executor-remuneration tariff of 3.5% of gross assets, an optional VAT assumption, the Master of the High Court fee schedule, and an administration allowance estimate. It excludes the separate 6% tariff on post-death income. The funeral cost estimator covers burial and cremation across a range of service sizes, based on publicly available 2024 industry data.

    Guides

    Downloadable guides

    Practical PDFs you can print or share. Enter your email and we'll deliver the guide and confirm by email.

    The South African Executor's Checklist
    A six-stage walk-through of administering a deceased estate in South Africa, from the first 7 days through to discharge by the Master.
    • Reporting an estate to the Master of the High Court
    • Letters of Executorship vs Letters of Authority (Section 18(3))
    • Section 29 and Section 35 advertisement timing
    • Liquidation and Distribution Account essentials
    • Section 4A executor's fees explained
    • Purpose: to send you occasional educational content about estate planning, product updates, and news from When I Am Gone. We will not share your email with third parties for their own marketing.
    • Responsible party: When I Am Gone (Pty) Ltd, FSP No. 55699, the responsible party under POPIA for processing this information.
    • Right to opt out: You can withdraw this consent at any time. Every marketing email contains a one-click unsubscribe link, and you can also email us to be removed.
    • Opt-out contact: Email support@wheniamgone.co.za with the subject "unsubscribe" and we will remove you from all marketing within 5 business days.
    End-of-Life Checklist
    Our printable workbook for organising the essentials so your family is not left guessing - documents, accounts, policies, contacts and wishes in one place.
    • Quick summary page for essential details
    • Core documents checklist with location tracking
    • Money, assets and policies inventory
    • Digital life checklist for online accounts
    • Family, care and wishes documentation
    • Purpose: to send you occasional educational content about estate planning, product updates, and news from When I Am Gone. We will not share your email with third parties for their own marketing.
    • Responsible party: When I Am Gone (Pty) Ltd, FSP No. 55699, the responsible party under POPIA for processing this information.
    • Right to opt out: You can withdraw this consent at any time. Every marketing email contains a one-click unsubscribe link, and you can also email us to be removed.
    • Opt-out contact: Email support@wheniamgone.co.za with the subject "unsubscribe" and we will remove you from all marketing within 5 business days.

    Licence Granted31 March 2026

    Latest updates

    News from When I Am Gone.

    FSP licence granted: When I Am Gone is FSP No: 55699

    The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) licence for When I Am Gone (Pty) Ltd, FSP No: 55699, is effective from 30 March 2026, subject to its conditions and restrictions. The Category I licence covers non-automated advice and other intermediary services in long-term insurance subcategories A, B1, C, B2, B2-A and B1-A. It does not authorise automated financial advice. The will generator and vault are software services; the licence does not certify a will or guarantee an insurance product. Regulated services must identify When I Am Gone (Pty) Ltd as the licensed provider and disclose its role separately from any partner firm.

    When I Am Gone

    Secure estate information vault for South Africans.

    When I Am Gone is a life-file and estate-readiness platform. It is not a law firm, financial adviser, estate administrator, executor service, probate service or insurer. The platform stores information you supply and helps you keep it organised; it does not provide legal, tax or financial advice.

    When I Am Gone (Pty) Ltd ("When I Am Gone") is a registered Financial Services Provider (FSP No: 55699) providing secure digital information storage and estate-readiness tools. When I Am Gone is not a law firm or estate planning professional. For personalised legal, tax or estate planning advice, consult a qualified attorney or fiduciary practitioner. Executors and beneficiaries are responsible for verifying information and obtaining professional advice before acting.

    Will documents created using When I Am Gone must be printed, reviewed, and signed in the presence of two competent witnesses as required by the Wills Act 7 of 1953. Electronic wills are not valid under South African law. When I Am Gone does not verify will validity, witness competency, or guarantee executor or Master of the High Court acceptance.

    When I Am Gone (Pty) Ltd is responsible for its account and service administration. Private vault content uses browser encryption, while metadata and some requested services use readable or server-encrypted records. Our Privacy Policy explains purposes, providers, international transfers, retention and your rights. Account closure does not by itself confirm complete deletion. Lawfully retained records remain subject to appropriate access and use restrictions.

    You have the right to access, correct, delete, or object to processing of your personal information. Contact our Information Officer at support@wheniamgone.co.za for data subject requests. POPIA security-compromise notifications must be made as soon as reasonably possible, subject to the specific legal exceptions and permitted delays. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

    © 2026 When I Am Gone (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved. Registered in South Africa.

    When I Am Gone is a registered Financial Services Provider | FSP No: 55699 | Regulated by the FSCA

    Administrative vault services are non-FAIS. Insurance services, where live, are financial services and are provided under the relevant authorisation, disclosures and product-provider terms. The will wizard and estate vault are software tools, not FAIS products. Insurance cover products are not yet on sale. When insurance products are offered, any remuneration will be regulated under FAIS and disclosed before any transaction. CPA and ECTA cooling-off rights apply where the transaction qualifies. The FSP licence is held by When I Am Gone alone and is never re-presented under a partner brand.

    When I Am Gone