National Wills Week 2026 South Africa: Is Your Will Still Right for Your Life?

You may have a will—but does it still reflect the life you have today? National Wills Week 2026 South Africa, taking place from 14–18 September, is a timely reminder to create, review or update your will and ensure that it still supports your family, assets and financial plans.

Why National Wills Week 2026 in South Africa Matters

A valid will records how you would like your estate to be distributed after your death. It can also identify your preferred executor and provide important direction regarding the people, assets and responsibilities you leave behind.

Without a valid will, your estate is distributed according to South Africa’s Intestate Succession Act. This means the law—not your personal instructions—determines how your estate is divided among qualifying relatives. South African Government

A properly prepared will can help:

• Record how your assets should be distributed

• Identify the people or organisations you wish to benefit

• Nominate an executor

• Address guardianship considerations for minor children

• Reduce uncertainty for your family

• Support more efficient deceased estate administration

• Preserve your intended financial legacy

Who should have a will?

A will is not only for older people or those with significant wealth.

If you have a home, vehicle, savings, investments, business interests, personal possessions, financial dependants or children, you should consider having a professionally drafted will.

Under South African law, a person aged 16 or older may make a will, provided the required legal formalities are met. Department of Justice and Constitutional Development

When should you update your will?

A will should not be treated as a once-off document. Review it whenever your personal, family or financial circumstances change.

Consider reviewing your will if you have:

• Married, divorced or entered a long-term partnership

• Had or adopted a child

• Bought or sold a property

• Started, sold or expanded a business

• Acquired substantial assets or investments

• Lost a spouse, beneficiary, guardian or nominated executor

• Experienced a significant change in your financial position

• Relocated to another country

• Changed your wishes regarding beneficiaries

• Not reviewed your will in the past few years

Even if nothing obvious has changed, a regular review can confirm that the document still reflects your intentions.

Does your will match the rest of your financial plan?

A will is an important part of estate planning, but it does not operate in isolation.

Your life cover, retirement fund nominations, investments, liabilities, business arrangements and financial dependants should be reviewed as part of the same overall picture.

For example, outdated beneficiary nominations or insufficient life cover may create financial pressure for the people you intended to protect—even when you have a valid will.

A broader financial review can help you consider:

• Whether your life cover remains appropriate

• Whether your beneficiary nominations are current

• Whether your dependants would have sufficient financial support

• How outstanding debts could affect your estate

• Whether enough liquidity may be available for estate costs

• How business interests should be addressed

• Whether your investments still support your long-term intentions

This is why will planning and financial planning should work together.

What makes a will valid in South Africa?

South African wills must meet specific legal requirements. Among other formalities, a will must be in writing, signed by the person making it and witnessed by two competent witnesses.

Mistakes in signing or witnessing may place the validity of the document at risk. Professional legal guidance is therefore strongly recommended. Department of Justice and Constitutional Development

What happens during National Wills Week?

During National Wills Week, participating attorneys across South Africa offer qualifying members of the public the opportunity to have a basic will drafted free of charge.

The service is provided by participating legal practitioners and may be subject to their appointment availability, requirements and the complexity of your estate.

In addition, various service providers offer free drafting of Wills. Speak to Proper Group about which provider can assist you with this.

What should you prepare before discussing your will?

Preparing the following information may make the process easier:

• Your South African ID or other identification

• Your marital status and marriage arrangement

• The names and details of your spouse, children and dependants

• A general list of your assets and liabilities

• Details of properties, investments and business interests

• Existing life cover and retirement benefits

• Your preferred beneficiaries

• Your preferred executor

• Guardianship considerations for minor children

• A copy of your current will, if applicable

You do not need to make every decision alone. A qualified legal practitioner can explain the implications of your choices and help ensure the document meets the relevant legal requirements.

Your will answers one question. Your financial plan answers the rest.

Your will explains what should happen to your estate. Your financial plan helps determine whether the people you care about will have the financial resources they need.

This National Wills Week, do more than update a document. Take the opportunity to review the bigger picture.

Proper Group provides independent financial planning and risk-benefit guidance to individuals and businesses across South Africa.

Speak to Proper Group about reviewing your broader financial plan, life cover and beneficiary arrangements.

This article provides general information and does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice. Wills should be prepared or reviewed by a suitably qualified legal practitioner. Financial recommendations should be based on an assessment of your individual circumstances.