Summary of executor's duties

Only an executor whose appointment has been confirmed by the Master of the High Court may deal with the assets and liabilities forming part of the deceased's estate. 

• To collect all assets of the deceased – this comprises assets such as fixed properties, furniture, firearms, vehicles, shares, proceeds of insurance policies, outstanding debts owed to the estate, cash assets and all other possible interests which the deceased may have had; 
• To collect all debts against the estate and to settle them after their validity has been investigated; and  
• To divide the balance of the assets among the rightful heirs after all debts against the estate have been paid.

The executor must administer the assets of the deceased with utmost care, and throughout the administration process must protect the interests of the creditors and heirs. The executor reports to the Master of the High Court during the course of the administration process, and the latter may at any time request further particulars and specific documentary evidence from the executor.

After the executor has completed the administration process, as described in the Administration of Estates Act, the executor may finalise the estate. This comprises the handing over of the inheritances to the heirs.