Letters of Executorship
Pretoria
For estates valued at R250,000 or more. We prepare the full reporting pack, lodge it with the Pretoria Master, and follow up until Letters are issued — fixed fee, no retainers.
What are Letters of Executorship?
Letters of Executorship are issued by the Master of the High Court under section 14 of the Administration of Estates Act, 1965. They give the named executor legal authority to deal with the deceased estate — transfer property, close bank accounts, pay creditors, distribute the estate to heirs, and submit a Liquidation and Distribution account.
Without Letters of Executorship, no person has the legal capacity to bind or wind up the estate.
When are Letters of Executorship needed?
Letters of Executorship are required where the gross value of the estate is R250,000 or more, or where the estate includes immovable property, regardless of value. Smaller estates fall under Letters of Authority (section 18(3)) — a simpler process.
Who can be appointed as executor?
Documents required
Tip: Don’t have everything? Send what you have. We’ll guide you through the rest before lodging.
Our process
Free triage call
10 minutes by phone. We confirm whether Letters of Executorship is the correct path, and email you a tailored checklist.
Document collection
You email or WhatsApp scans. We verify completeness and flag anything missing before lodgement.
Pack preparation & lodgement
We draft the J294, J190, inventory and supporting affidavits, then lodge with the Pretoria Master’s Office.
Follow-up until Letters issued
We respond to Master’s queries and collect Letters of Executorship when ready — typically 8–12 weeks.
Pricing — pay per action
| Service | Fixed Fee |
|---|---|
| Reporting pack preparation (full estate) | R4,500 |
| Pretoria Master’s Office lodgement | R750 per attendance |
| Document collection (Letters) | R750 |
| Master’s query — written response | R950 per query |
| Defect rework + re-lodgement | R1,500 per round |
| Liquidation & Distribution account | R7,500 – R15,000 (quoted) |
| SARS deceased estate registration | R1,250 |
All fees are private professional service fees. Master’s Office fees and disbursements (advertising, courier) are passed through at cost.
Common questions
How long does it take to get Letters of Executorship?
Typically 8–12 weeks from a clean lodgement at the Pretoria Master’s Office. Delays usually come from defective reporting documents, missing antenuptial contracts, or SARS clearance issues.
Can an executor act before Letters are issued?
No. The executor has no legal authority until the Master issues Letters of Executorship. Banks will not release funds, the deeds office will not transfer property, and SARS will not register the estate.
What if the executor named in the will has died?
If the will names an alternative executor, that person is preferred. If not, the heirs nominate someone by written agreement. The Master will issue Letters to the nominee if qualified.
What if the Master requests security from the executor?
Security is required where the executor is not exempted by the will. This usually means a bond from an insurer. We assist with obtaining the bond and lodging it with the Master.
Do I need to use the Pretoria Master?
Only if the deceased was ordinarily resident in the Pretoria Master’s area of jurisdiction. If they lived elsewhere, that Master’s Office has jurisdiction.
Need Letters of Executorship?
Call 087 001 0733 or email admin@louwrens-koen.co.za for a written quote.
Start your application