My 68 year old mother passed away recently. For the last 3 years she lived with my sister in Polokwane. She only owned some old clothes. She had no jewelry or valuables. No money or savings. No investments. No property. No vehicle. No life insurance policies. Nothing for anyone to inherit at all. Also no debts or accounts.

She received the monthly government SASSA pension, which she spent each month. 

My sister has been told to register an estate and be appointed executor of the estate, and for this she must pay a lawyer. 

This does not make sense. There is no estate. No assets or debts at all. There is nothing. 

Please advise me on this issue. 

Hi there,

I see that you haven't made a payment for the question, but I'm going to assist you a little. If you want to ask a follow-up question, please make the required payment.

Her estate must be reported to the Master's Office, but it would be reported as a section 18(3) estate because the value of the estate is less than R125,000.

The Master will appoint a "representative", not an "executor".

The representative (which will be a family member) will need to contact SASSA to advise that the pension must be stopped; close any bank account; and then write to the Master to confirm that the estate has been finalised. 

No lawyer involved.

Att. Patrick 

Please remember this is a dialog if you have follow-up questions please make the required payment, then use the REPLY button and ask your further question. I would like to continue assisting you, but I need to concentrate on people who make payments for their questions.