08/06/2026
We like to think we have all the time in the world.
When you are young, driven, and successfully building an empire, drafting a will is usually at the absolute bottom of your to-do list and often the thought is, “I’m too young to worry about death.”
But the law doesn't wait for you to feel ready.
Consider this scenario, A young, self-made entrepreneur cuts ties with an abusive, toxic family. Instead, he pours his loyalty into his best friend, the person who stood by him, helped him build his business, and became his true family. The entrepreneur always openly says, "Everything I build is going to my best friend one day."
Then, a freak accident changes everything in a split second. He dies without a will.
His best friend gets absolutely nothing. The abusive siblings he spent his entire adult life escaping step in and inherit every single cent of his hard earned wealth.
When you die without a will in South Africa, the Intestate Succession Act takes over. The Master of the High Court cannot look at who loved you, who helped you build your business, or who treated you poorly. The law is entirely blind to emotion.
Instead, it follows a strict, unyielding bloodline hierarchy:
If you have no spouse and no children, your estate goes directly to your parents.
If your parents have already passed away, your estate is divided equally among your siblings (and their descendants).
Because this young man was unmarried and had no children, the law legally hands the keys of his kingdom straight to his estranged siblings. The courts cannot alter this path based on "what he would have wanted."
Even if fifty people step forward to testify under oath that the deceased always promised to leave his wealth to his friend, oral promises mean absolutely nothing when it comes to inheriting an estate. Without a black-and-white, signed piece of paper that meets the strict requirements of the Wills Act, those promises die with a person.
By avoiding a simple 30-minute meeting to draft a will, this young man inadvertently achieved the exact opposite of what he wanted in life. Instead of protecting his legacy and rewarding his best friend, his silence legally financed the lives of the very people who mistreated him.
A will is not about how old you are it’s about taking control of your legacy. It is the only voice you have left when you are no longer here to speak for yourself. Don't let your silence reward the wrong people. Protect your true loved ones today
Contact us on 033 342 0863 or email info@mahabeerlaw@co.za to get your will drafted.