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Tips to help wrap up an estate more easily

Stories about someone still dealing with a loved one’s estate years after they have passed away are common. But why does this happen? Here are some of the reasons for delays in finalising estates and what you can do to prevent them.

No will

This is the most prevalent issue with wrapping up an estate. If there is no will, it won’t be clear who should get what, meaning your estate could be divided up in a way that you didn’t want and cause problems that lead to delays. This issue can be easily avoided by drafting a will.

Choosing the wrong executor

Another common problem is when someone has a will, but the executor, who is the person responsible for carrying out the wishes in the will, isn’t the right choice for the role. If the nominated executor doesn’t specialise in administrating estates it can result in delays. Often in these circumstances, families end up having to seek a specialist anyway.

To prevent this, it’s important to choose the right executor when you create your will. They will need to deal with a lot of legal and tax issues and it’s best if it’s someone who understands estates.

Unavoidable delays

Things like tax disputes, complicated assets or family members who introduce litigation can also impact the wrapping up of an estate. While these problems are somewhat unavoidable, if you have a clear, legally sound will and have appointed a capable executor, your loved ones will be better equipped to deal with the delays than if those things weren’t in place.

In the midst of grief, it can help your family if they have clarity on how to deal with the bureaucracy that accompanies someone’s passing. A will and a well-appointed executor go a long way towards easing their burdens during this time.

Posted in If you die without a will, Intestate Succession on Mar 06, 2020

 

Who we work with.

We pride ourselves on being forward thinkers, with a focus on customer excellence.

Our trusted partners include:

 
Fedgroup
Estate Plan
xneelo
storafile
tribe

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What some of our customers think.

 
"The process of updating my will was so overwhelming that I had snoozed the reminder on my to-do list since my my second child was born... and he is almost three. Then I found SmartWill.
The website is so intuitive and extremely simple. I found myself wondering whether it was too simplistic! The website guides you through an easy, step-by-step process that you can complete in your own time, in the comfort of your home. It takes an overwhelming task, and breaks it down into easy-to-answer questions. The cost is nominal, the quality is extraordinary. You don’t need to make an appointment with a lawyer, yet your will is reviewed by a lawyer. The whole process was so streamlined, I really can’t fault it. I strongly recommend that you just take the first step. The rest is easy." - Tanya Hanekom
"A will is always the lowest item on most people's daily priority list, but SmartWill helps make it as easy and seamless as possible. With the ability to dip in and out of the website when you have time to complete the details. With constant but not overbearing email reminders, and good advice from real people when you need it, the overall adds up to an excellent service for the price. Thanks SmartWill I can sleep a little easier now!" - Charles Edwards

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