27 May 2025
By Ashersons Attorneys
How to Avoid Fighting Over the House – A Guide for Life Partners

How to Avoid Fighting Over the House – A Guide for Life Partners

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of bandages and adhesive tape.” (Groucho Marx) It’s a perennial topic of dispute in our courts. A couple lives together, sharing the same roof and everything else in perfect happiness and harmony.  Until it all goes south. Then the gloves come off and, particularly if our erstwhile couple end up dragging each other through the courts, everyone takes a beating. Bloodied, battered and bandaged, they’re going to wish they’d implemented Groucho’s “ounce of prevention” in the first place.  We’ll explain how to keep things amicable. But before we do, let’s consider the…
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28 Jan 2025
By Ashersons Attorneys
Do You Need a Second Will for Your Overseas Assets?

Do You Need a Second Will for Your Overseas Assets?

“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” (Pablo Picasso) If you own assets outside South Africa, you may have wondered: Is my local will enough? This is a question many South Africans are asking, and the answer will depend on your own unique situation. Let’s break it down. Why your South African will may not be enough A South African will can cover all your local and global assets and typically will do so unless otherwise specified. But practical and legal challenges can arise when dealing with foreign laws, tax regimes and regulations:…
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26 Nov 2024
By Ashersons Attorneys
Estate Planning: Why it Matters, and How To Get Started

Estate Planning: Why it Matters, and How To Get Started

“When the hurly-burly’s done, when the battle’s lost and won.” (One of the witches in Shakespeare’s Macbeth) Another year draws to a close! If you’re taking a break, now’s a great time to get started on an estate plan – or to update your existing one. Estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your assets and to ensure that your loved ones are cared for after you’re gone. It goes beyond just having a will, although that is of course an essential first step when it comes to executing your plan. An estate…
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25 Sep 2024
By Ashersons Attorneys
How Can You Protect Your Heirs’ Inheritances from Their Creditors?

How Can You Protect Your Heirs’ Inheritances from Their Creditors?

“The only person who sticks closer to you in adversity than a friend is a creditor.” (Unknown) You’ve done everything you can to leave your loved ones financially secure after you die. You’ve left enough assets to set them up in their own lives, made a valid will (“Last Will and Testament”), and chosen a trustworthy and efficient executor to wind up your deceased estate. You think you’d done everything you can to help and safeguard them. But what if you missed something – something that could be a real gamechanger for your heirs? Insolvency and attack by creditors We’re…
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27 Aug 2024
By Ashersons Attorneys
Sibling Showdown: How One Missing Word in a Will Divided a Family

Sibling Showdown: How One Missing Word in a Will Divided a Family

“From small mistakes come great catastrophes.” (Justin Cronin) We’ve all seen how even the smallest mistake can have huge consequences down the line. A recent High Court spat between siblings over a poorly-drafted will confirms once again that when it comes to important documents (and it doesn’t get more important than your will!), every word counts. The joint will and the “30-day survivor” clause In their joint will, a wealthy couple had left everything to each other. When the husband died, his wife inherited their whole joint estate. Things started to come unstuck when she was then found to be unable…
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