What estate administration involves
By SortMyCover editorial team. Last reviewed . Fact-checked by SortMyCover editorial team on . See our editorial policy.
The will and estate service SortMyCover books is provided by Capital Legacy Solutions (Pty) Ltd, an authorised financial services provider (FSP 43826). SortMyCover does not draft wills and gives no advice. It puts you in touch with a Capital Legacy consultant.
Estate administration is the process of winding up a person's estate after death. The steps include reporting the estate, obtaining Letters of Executorship, drawing up a liquidation and distribution account, a 21-day inspection period, paying what the estate owes and passing on the rest. This is information, not advice.
When someone dies, their estate has to be wound up: what they owned is gathered, what they owed is paid, and the rest goes to the heirs. This is called estate administration. This page lists the steps as Capital Legacy describes them. It does not give timeframes, because those differ from estate to estate.
Who does the work?
The executor. A will names the executor, the person or firm who winds up the estate. Capital Legacy says it administers deceased estates in-house, and that it can act as executor through its own executor and trust company.
What are the steps?
Capital Legacy lists these stages:
- Reporting the estate to start the administration.
- Letters of Executorship for the executor.
- The liquidation and distribution account, often called the L&D account: the account of how the estate is wound up and shared out.
- A 21-day inspection period. The account is open for inspection for 21 days.
- Distribution. What is left after the estate's costs and debts goes to the heirs.
- The filing slip, the last stage on the list.
Why are costs and debts paid first?
Capital Legacy explains that estate costs, debts and taxes are paid before the heirs inherit. The heirs receive what is left. Estate costs, and why a will does not pay them covers this in more detail.
What does a will change?
A will decides who inherits and who acts as executor. Without a valid will, Capital Legacy explains, the law of intestate succession decides who inherits. What a will does, and what it does not do explains the difference.
Who looks after money left to children?
A will can set up a testamentary trust, such as a children's trust, and name the trustees who run it. Capital Legacy describes a children's trust as one that holds a minor child's inheritance until an age the will sets. Guardians and children's trusts explains more.
How long does it take?
It depends on the estate. Capital Legacy's own pages give different targets in different places, so this page does not quote one. The executor can say what to expect for a particular estate.
Where does SortMyCover fit in?
SortMyCover does not administer estates, draft wills or give advice. It books a call with a Capital Legacy consultant about a will. Questions about a particular estate are for the executor or Capital Legacy directly.
Sources
- Estate administration, Capital Legacy. Page seen October 2026. Used for: The steps of estate administration and the provider's executor service.
- Why your will means nothing without adequate life cover, Capital Legacy. Page seen October 2026. Used for: Costs, debts and taxes are paid before heirs inherit.
- Wills, Capital Legacy. Page seen October 2026. Used for: A will names the executor, trustees and any testamentary trust.
- Trusts, Capital Legacy. Page seen October 2026. Used for: How a children's trust holds an inheritance.