Welcome to the Master of the High Court. The Master's Branch is there to serve the public in respect of Deceased Estates, Liquidations (Insolvent Estates), Registration of Trusts, Tutors and Curators, as well as Administration of the Guardian's Fund (minors and mentally challenged persons).
The Master has wide interaction with members of the public and practitioners and the dealings of the Master have an impact on the economy. The Master's Office has five main divisions. They all strive to protect the financial interests of persons whose assets or interests are, for various reasons, being managed by others.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Take note that the website named "www.chiefmaster.co.za" is not a legitimate and/or official departmental or Master’s website and the department distantiate/dissociate itself from any contents published on same. The Master’s offices cannot be held responsible and/or liable for any contents published on said website.
What's New
- 2024.11.15: Webinar: Unlocking Transparency: Trust Beneficial Ownership Register
- 2024.11.14: New National list of Insolvency & PDI Practitioners published
- 2024.11.12: Webinar on National Wills Week: Dialogue on Wills and Administration of Deceased Estate, 19 Sep 2024
- IMPOTANT NOTICE
2024.11.11: Resumption of Services in the Master of the High Court: Mbombela as from 12 Nov 2024 - 2024.11.07: Operational notice: Fumigation at the Pretoria Master's Office, 08 Nov from 13h00
- 2024.10.31: Reporting of Beneficial Ownership Information on Trusts
Deceased Estates
This division of the Master's office supervises the administration of deceased estates. The purpose is to ensure an orderly winding up of the financial affairs of the deceased, and the protection of the financial interests of the heirs. Follow this link to find information on how to report an estate to the Master.
Wills & Intestate Succession
A will is a specialized document, which should preferably be drawn up by an expert like an attorney, trust company etc. The information is merely to inform the user of this site about some basic aspects of wills. If you die without a will, your estate will devolve in terms of the rules of intestate succession.
The Guardian's Fund
The purpose of the Guardian’s Fund is to protect the funds of minors, persons lacking legal competence and capacity, known or unknown, absent as well as untraceable heirs. The 2020/2021 interest rate for the Guardians Fund is 5%
Administration of Trusts
The administration of trusts is governed by the provisions of the Trust Property Control Act no 57/1988. There are two types of trust, e.g. an inter-vivos trust and a testamentary trust.
Resources
Contained in this section is: Chief Master Directives -- Gazette Notices -- Documents & Reports -- Records of Accounts -- Contact Numbers -- FAQs -- ICMS Master Web Portal -- Links -- SA Legislation -- Operational Notices.
Insolvency Matters
This is a very busy and complex division which supervises the administration of thousands of insolvent estates every year. Follow the link for information such as: liquidations, sequestrations, insolvency dashboards, list of Active Insolvency Practitioners.
Curators and Tutors
This division of the Master's office supervises the administration of the affairs of persons whose property is, for various reasons described in this section, under the control of another person called a curator or tutor.
Forms
Obtain forms for Deceased Estates, Liquidations, Trusts, Curators & Tutors, the Guardian's Fund and other forms such as Fees payable to the Master, Application for Certified Copies, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about wills, trusts and the distribution of the estates of deceased persons.
ICMS Master Web Portal
The ICMS Web Portal makes available information held by the Masters´ Offices as from the year 2008.