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As South Africa begins National Wills Month, a recent survey by Sanlam has revealed that only 28% of South Africans have a valid will, indicating that many individuals are not prepared for what may happen to their assets and loved ones after they pass away. September is designated as National Wills Month, alongside the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, with National Wills Week taking place from September 14 to 18, 2026. During this month, legal professionals offer to draft basic wills for free.

Sanlam's survey found that 65% of respondents do not possess a will, a slight decrease from the 66% recorded in 2025. Of those who have wills, 39% have not informed their loved ones about the document's location or contents. Sanlam Trust CEO, Advocate Sankie Morata, suggests that the issue extends beyond a lack of awareness. He emphasizes that creating a will and planning one's estate is about the people one loves, not just paperwork, as it provides clarity and protection for one's estate.

The survey also highlighted that 47% of respondents have assisted in winding up a loved one's estate, but only 22% describe the process as smooth. Common challenges include family disputes over inheritances, delays in finalizing and transferring assets, legal and administrative costs, and frozen accounts. The impact of an unexpected death can extend beyond the immediate family, affecting multiple generations and households, with over a third of respondents having support ageing parents, grandparents, or extended family members.

The survey revealed that 41% of respondents drew up a will due to a death in the family, followed by having a child (32%), receiving financial advice (27%), and marriage or a long-term partnership (25%). Morata notes that many people only take action when estate planning becomes personal and immediate, with receiving financial advice being the only professional intervention among the top motivations. He highlights the role that financial advisers can play in prompting action before a family faces a crisis.

Interestingly, among respondents with wills, 57% indicated that one or both parents had also created a will. In contrast, only 22% of those without wills had parents who did. This suggests that estate planning could be a learned behavior, with some families normalizing the practice while others may see one person formalize a plan as an example for future generations.

Dr Mavis Mazhura, a leadership psychologist and adult development specialist, suggests that people may have heard enough about wills to feel informed but may still lack the steps or urgency to take action.