13/04/2026
πππ§ π π¬π’π π§ π¦π² π°π’π₯π₯ ππ₯ππππ«π¨π§π’πππ₯π₯π²?A will cannot be signed electronically in S.A. The law requires that a will must be signed physically by the person making the will, in the presence of two competent witnesses (older than 14 years of age and mentally competent), who must also sign the document in each otherβs presence.
While electronic signatures are valid for many types of agreements, they are specifically not recognised for wills. This means that a will that was signed digitally, or kept only in electronic form (for example, on a computer or email), will generally not be accepted as valid.
In some limited cases, a court may condone a document that does not meet all the legal requirements if it is clear that the deceased intended it to be their final will. However, this involves a court application, can be costly and time-consuming, and there is no guarantee that the court will accept it.
To avoid any uncertainty or disputes after your passing, it is strongly recommended that your will is printed and signed properly, in wet ink, in the presence of two competent witnesses, so that it fully complies with the law.
For professional legal advice and assistance, contact Bardine Hall at Goldberg & de Villiers Inc. on 041-5019800 | [email protected]
