What happens to your property if you die without a will?

When you pass away without a Will in place, your estate doesn’t simply dissolve — it is managed under the Intestate Succession Act, a framework that dictates who inherits, and how.

While this ensures that property eventually passes to someone, the absence of a will often leads to delays, disputes, and unintended consequences.

According to Adriaan Grove, Founder and CEO of MyProperty, many homeowners underestimate the importance of formalising their wishes. “Without a valid will, you lose control over who inherits one of your most valuable assets — your home. The law steps in to make that decision for you, which can leave your family with unnecessary conflict or financial stress,” he says.

The Legal Path Without a Will

In South Africa, intestate succession follows a clear hierarchy:

• If you are married, your spouse inherits in accordance with the marital property regime.
• If you have children, the estate is split between them and your spouse.
• If you have no spouse or children, the estate may pass to parents, siblings, or even more distant relatives.

This system may sound fair in principle, but in practice, it often ignores modern realities like blended families, life partners who are not legally married, or dependents who fall outside the legal framework.

The Economic Consequences

For economist Dawie Roodt, the bigger issue lies in how intestate estates are managed.

“Without a will, estates take longer to wind up, and that delay has economic costs. Properties sit vacant, mortgages remain unpaid, and dependents can be left without financial security while legal processes drag on,” he explains.

Roodt points out that the South African economy already struggles with inefficiencies in property transfers. “When thousands of estates are tied up in lengthy intestate processes, it creates bottlenecks in the property market and reduces liquidity. Homes that could be sold, rented, or reinvested remain frozen assets,” he says.

Another financial consideration is estate duty. While only estates above R3.5 million are subject to estate tax, poor planning can increase the tax burden unnecessarily. “With a proper will and estate plan, you can use tools to reduce or defer estate duty. Without one, your estate simply defaults to the taxman’s advantage,” Roodt warns.

Impact on Families

Families often feel the sharpest effects. Property may need to be sold to settle debts, even when family members were hoping to inherit and stay in the home. “I’ve seen cases where children were forced to move out of their family home because there was no clear will to protect their interests,” Roodt notes.

This is especially problematic in lower- and middle-income households, where a family home is often the single largest asset. “For many South Africans, property is the only real form of wealth they own. Losing control over how it’s passed on only deepens inequality and weakens intergenerational wealth creation,” Roodt adds.

The Takeaway

While South Africa’s intestate succession laws provide a safety net, experts agree they are no substitute for a carefully prepared will. For homeowners, the risk of leaving loved ones in limbo far outweighs the small effort of setting one up.

As Grove puts it: “Your property represents years of hard work and financial commitment. Don’t leave its future to chance. Write a will, and thus ensure that your final wishes are respected.”