Secure Your Family’s Future. Protect Your Legacy.

Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning in Johannesburg

Effective estate planning is one of the most important steps you will ever take. It is the formal process of arranging for the management and disposal of your estate after you pass away, ensuring your wishes are honoured and your loved ones are protected. Our experienced team provides clear, strategic guidance for every aspect of this crucial process.

Your legacy deserves clarity and protection. For over 30 years, Hugh Raichlin Attorneys has helped families and individuals across Johannesburg plan for the future — drafting wills, administering estates, and creating trusts that safeguard assets and honour intentions.

Start Your Estate Plan

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Our Location

Norwood, Johannesburg

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011 483 1527

Why You Should Plan Your Estate

The High Cost of No Estate Plan

Failing to plan your estate is not a neutral act; it has serious consequences. It can lead to your assets being distributed against your wishes by a rigid state formula, cause devastating delays for your family, spark bitter internal conflicts, and significantly diminish the value of your legacy through avoidable taxes and legal fees. A proper plan is a final act of care for your loved ones.

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy — it’s for anyone who wants to protect loved ones and reduce uncertainty. A legally valid will and clear estate plan ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes, preventing family disputes and financial strain.

Learn About Our Family Law Services →

We Handle:

Ensures your wishes are respected after death.

Protects family members and dependants.

Minimises delays and legal costs.

Reduces estate duty and taxes.

Provides peace of mind and financial clarity.

A Complete Approach to Protecting Your Legacy

Our Estate Planning, Administration and Trust Services

Our wills and estates lawyers in Johannesburg offer a full suite of services to ensure every aspect of your legacy is managed with precision and care. We provide guidance and representation in all areas of property law, ensuring every stage of your matter is handled with care and precision.

Will Drafting & Review

We draft legally sound, unambiguous wills that reflect your wishes and comply with the Wills Act (No. 7 of 1953), forming the cornerstone of your estate plan.

Trust Formation & Administration

Establishing and managing family, inter vivos, and testamentary trusts to preserve assets and provide for beneficiaries.

Deceased Estate Administration

We compassionately handle the complex process of winding up a deceased estate, lifting the administrative burden from grieving families.

Estate Duty & Tax Planning

We provide strategic advice, in collaboration with tax experts, to structure your estate in a way that legally minimizes estate duty and preserves your wealth.

Living Wills & Powers of Attorney

We help you plan for potential future incapacity by drafting documents that ensure your medical and financial wishes are respected

30+ Years • Accredited Expertise • Proven Results

Why Choose Hugh Raichlin Attorneys for Estate Planning?

With more than 30 years of estate planning experience, Hugh Raichlin Attorneys is trusted by families, executors, and trustees across Johannesburg. We deliver legal precision with empathy and professionalism.

Holistic Estate Solutions: From wills to trusts and administration.
Tax & Compliance Expertise: Efficient estate duty planning.
Accredited Mediation: Qualified under the Gauteng directive for estate dispute resolution.
Personalised Service: Every client receives tailored, confidential guidance.

Simple • Personal • Effective

How We Help You Plan for the Future

The Estate Planning Process:

Initial Consultation – Discuss family structure, assets, and goals.
Drafting Legal Instruments – Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.
Tax & Duty Review – Assess potential liabilities and exemptions.
Final Execution – Sign, witness, and securely store documents.
Ongoing Review – Update plans as life and law evolve.

Avoid Conflict • Ensure Compliance

Mistakes That Jeopardise Your Legacy

No Valid Will – Dying intestate causes costly delays and unwanted outcomes.
Outdated Documents – Laws and family structures change — so should your will.
Incorrect Witnessing – Improper signing invalidates wills under the Wills Act.
Unstructured Estates – Without trusts, heirs face tax inefficiencies.
Ignoring Mediation – Estate disputes are subject to the Gauteng High Court’s mediation directive for pre-litigation resolution.
Learn About Court-Linked Mediation →

Constructive • Compassionate • Compliant

Resolving Family & Inheritance Disputes

Disputes over wills, inheritances, or executorships can divide families. We prioritise mediation and negotiation before court action, aligning with the Gauteng High Court’s mandatory mediation directive to resolve matters sensitively and efficiently.

We Handle:

Disputed wills and inheritances
Executor and beneficiary conflicts
Allegations of undue influence or incapacity
Trust management disputes

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inheritance dispute resolution hugh raichlin

Attorneys with specialist expertise

Our team brings accredited skills across property, family, commercial, labour, and mediation law.

Over 30 Years Of Experience

Trusted by generations of clients since 1993.

500+ Family & Divorce Cases Resolved

Guiding families through sensitive matters with compassion and clarity.

Reported High Court & Supreme Court of Appeal Judgments

Our cases have shaped South African common law and set lasting precedents.

Answers to Common Questions

Wills, Trusts & Estates FAQs

What is the very first step in estate planning?

The first step is to take stock of all your assets (property, investments, etc.) and liabilities (bonds, debts). The next crucial step is to draft a legally valid will.

How does estate planning differ for business owners?

Business owners need to consider “business succession planning” as part of their estate plan. This involves deciding what will happen to their shares or interest in the business upon their death.

Can my will be challenged in court?

Yes, a will can be challenged on grounds of invalidity (e.g., it wasn’t signed correctly) or if the testator lacked the mental capacity to make the will. Professional drafting minimizes this risk. A legally compliant will avoids future disputes or invalidation.

How does getting a divorce affect my estate plan?

A divorce has a major impact. Your will may need to be completely redrafted, and beneficiary nominations on policies updated. South African law provides a three-month grace period after a divorce where your ex-spouse is treated as having pre-deceased you if they are in your will, but it is critical to update it.

How does getting a divorce affect my estate plan?

What is an executor?

An executor is the person or institution you nominate in your will to be responsible for carrying out your will’s instructions and managing the deceased estate administration process. We assist executors in compliance with the Master’s Office.

How often should I update my will?

Every 3–5 years or after major life events (marriage, birth, divorce).

What’s the difference between a will and a trust?

A will directs asset distribution after death; a trust manages assets during your lifetime or for beneficiaries.

Can inheritance disputes be mediated?

Yes, and mediation is encouraged under the High Court directive before litigation.

Protect Your Legacy with Expert Legal Guidance

Don’t Leave Your Legacy to Chance

The best time to plan for the future is now. Schedule a confidential consultation with our estate planning specialists in Johannesburg to discuss how we can help you create a lasting legacy.

Your life’s work deserves protection. Let Hugh Raichlin Attorneys help you plan your estate, draft your will, and safeguard your family’s future.

Schedule a Consultation

From Our Legal Insights Blog

Expert Analysis on South African Wills, Trusts and Estates Law

Stay informed with the latest insights and legal analysis from our team. Our blog is a resource to help you understand complex legal topics and make empowered decisions.

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Contact Us

Here\’s how you can contact us for any questions or concerns.

1 The Avenue, Norwood, Johannesburg 2192

011 483 1527

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reception@raichlin.co.za

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