Understanding the Master’s Office – And Why We’re Here to Help

If you’ve ever dealt with the loss of a loved one or needed to manage a trust, chances are you’ve likely come across the Master of the High Court, in South Africa. But for most people, the Master’s Office can feel like a maze – full of paperwork, long queues, and endless red tape.

At Inglis Stephens, we walk that road for you, offering fiduciary services to clients across South Africa.

We understand how overwhelming the process can be, especially when you’re also dealing with grief, stress, or uncertainty. That’s why so many families, professionals, trustees and executors turn to us – not just for our legal knowledge, but because we handle everything with care, clarity, and compassion.

So what does the Master’s Office do?

It’s the government body responsible for overseeing the legal administration of estates, trusts, and guardianships. If someone passes away, or a trust is registered, the appointment of such executor or trustees must be approved by the Master of the High Court. It’s also where Letters of Executorship and Letters of Authority are issued – the formal document granting the relevant persons authority to act on behalf of a deceased estate or trust.

The Master’s Office is there to:

• Safeguard the interests of beneficiaries, especially children
• Ensure executors and trustees act lawfully and fairly
• Keep official records of wills, estates, trust registrations and trust amendments

But as anyone who’s stood in the queue at the Master’s Office will tell you, the system isn’t always simple. Backlogs, missing documents, and rigid procedures can cause frustrating delays. That’s why working with a professional executor and independent fiduciary like Inglis Stephens is more than just helpful – it’s essential.

We’re in and out of the Master’s Office regularly. We know the forms, the process, and the people. We pre-empt problems before they arise, and we make sure everything is submitted correctly the first time. That means no last-minute scrambles, fewer delays, and the peace of mind that your estate or trust is being handled with absolute precision.

Whether you need us to register a trust, act as your executor, help you amend a will or trust document or simply guide you through the steps, we’re here. And not just for the paperwork. We’re here for the quiet reassurance, the patient explanations, and the understanding that comes from walking this road with hundreds of families just like yours.

Your estate deserves expert guidance. It deserves personal attention and professional care. Let us handle the Master’s Office for you.

Let us support your estate administration.

Office 106, The Village Square, Durbanville | www.inglisstephens.co.za | 021 914 1144 | admin@inglisstephens.co.za

Trusted estate planning in South Africa.