Trusts are very useful estate planning tools and can be used for a wide variety of purposes. It basically means that a person (founder) puts his/her trust in someone else (trustee) to manage assets on behalf of someone (beneficiary).

It is heartbreaking when a loved one dies. The idea of having to deal with their belongings after their death (“deceased estate”) can be scary for the family. A deceased estate must be reported to the Master of the High Court (“Master”) or a Magistrates’ Office service point to appoint a person that will deal with the administration of the deceased estate. The administration of a deceased estate does not have to be scary and this article will shed some light on the procedures that must be followed.

Parents are often concerned about what would happen to their children should they die before the children reach adulthood, or even after adulthood in some instances. They want to ensure that their assets, including their family home and investments, are protected and used responsibly to maintain and support the educational and general needs of their minor children until they reach a certain age.

Read our explanation of the recent amendments to labour law regulating the rights of fixed-term, part-time and other employees.

If a person dies without a Will, his/her deceased estate will be distributed in terms of the Intestate Succession Act. This is also known as the rules of intestate succession.

Nothing beats the excitement of going on a school activity (“activity”) for various reasons within or outside school premises. Added to that excitement, is being away from class or being away from home. An activity may have its risks, which is one of the reasons why parents/legal guardians need to consent to an activity. The school will try to protect itself against different forms of liability by requesting parents to sign an indemnity form for the activity. The South African Schools Act (“Act”) sheds some light on this topic.

The Unemployment Insurance Fund provides benefit payments to certain employees during a time of unemployment. Learn more about the UIF and its benefits here.