South African law favours the surviving spouse over the children of the deceased, because the surviving spouse is at least guaranteed an amount of R 250 000.00 of the estate or a child's share whichever is the greater. As stated above, the property must be registered in your name to claim ownership of your home.
Co-ownership of property is a unique arrangement where two or more individuals jointly own a property, sharing the rights and responsibilities that come with it. These rights can be equal or unequal, and are usually defined by a legal agreement called a co-ownership agreement.
When a non-spouse joint owner dies, their share of the jointly owned property is included in their estate for tax purposes. This can increase the overall value of the estate, potentially triggering estate taxes.
The Living Together section of Nolo also discusses various forms of contracts for unmarried people who want to share ownership of property. Also, because your shared home represents a major economic investment, you should hire a lawyer to help you prepare an agreement that meets your needs.
4. If the deceased is survived by a spouse and by a descendant, the estate shall be divided up ing to the value of the estate. If the estate is worth less than R 125 000.00 the surviving spouse will inherit the entire estate.
Draft a document for the parties to sign specifying the relationship between them, such as joint tenants in common, tenants in entirety, etc. Both parties must agree to the terms of the relationship, and sign the document to ensure that it is legally binding.
Outlining the rights and obligations of each party Agree on what rights and responsibilities each party will have. Ensure that each party understands and agrees to the duties and obligations assigned to them. Identify what each party is responsible for, including any financial contributions.