02/09/2026
Do You Really Need 6 Different Types of Will?
The short answer? Not necessarily.
There are many terms you may hear today — offshore will, digital will, business will, ethical will, and living will. But these are not all legally recognised “types of wills” in South African succession law.
Your Last Will and Testament remains the central document for determining what happens to your estate after your death.
It allows you to record your wishes regarding your assets, nominate beneficiaries and make appropriate arrangements for your estate. Importantly, your will must comply with the formal requirements of the Wills Act 7 of 1953.
Other documents can, however, play an important supporting role:
Your digital wishes can help your executor locate and deal with online accounts and digital assets.
A business succession plan can provide practical guidance about what should happen to your business interests and help reduce uncertainty for your family and business partners.
A legacy or ethical letter can pass on your values, memories, family history and personal messages. It is not a substitute for your will and does not determine who inherits your assets.
An advance medical directive or “living will” concerns your healthcare wishes and is separate from your Last Will and Testament.
And if you own assets outside South Africa, specialist advice may be necessary to determine whether additional estate-planning arrangements or a foreign will are appropriate.
The most important step?
Have a properly drafted, valid and up-to-date Last Will and Testament.
Your will is more than a document about who gets what. It is part of protecting your family, your assets, and the legacy you leave behind.
Planning today can prevent uncertainty and unnecessary difficulty for those you love tomorrow.
Need advice about your will or estate planning? Contact Nieuwoudt-Du Plessis Inc. We would be happy to assist you.
