5 Common Estate Planning Mistakes (South Africa) and How to Avoid Them

1) A will exists, but nobody can find it

Store documents in a known location and keep a simple index that someone you trust can access when needed.

A practical fix is to store a short “where to find things” page alongside your plan: documents, contacts, and account references. Keep it updated and accessible to your executor.

2) Beneficiaries aren’t updated after life changes

Treat beneficiary reviews as annual maintenance, similar to insurance renewals or tax season.

3) Asset values and accounts aren’t maintained

An out-of-date inventory slows everything down. Keep it current enough that someone else can understand it.

4) The plan is too complex to run

Complexity increases failure risk. Optimise for a plan that your executor and family can actually execute.

If a structure requires constant administration, make sure there’s an identified person (or professional) who will maintain it. Otherwise it becomes a point of failure.

5) No review cadence

Set a reminder to review your plan annually and after major life events. Small, consistent updates beat occasional large rewrites.

Put the reminder somewhere you’ll actually see it: calendar, email, or app notifications. A “review rhythm” is the simplest way to keep your plan effective.