The estate notice period in South Africa is fixed by statute. A Section 29 notice (J193) runs for 30 days. A Section 35(5) notice (J187) runs for 21 days. Each estate notice period is calculated from the later of the Government Gazette publication date and the newspaper publication date. Get the start date wrong and the entire notice has to be republished.
ALSO READ: Proof of publication for estate notices: what the Master of the High Court accepts
How the estate notice period is calculated
Three rules govern every estate notice period. Both publications must have happened before the count starts. The count includes weekends and public holidays. It runs on calendar days, not court days. The count runs to the end of the last day. Where the Gazette and the newspaper publish on different dates, the later date governs. Counting from the earlier date is the most common technical mistake in estate notice administration and the Master will return the file when it is detected.
What an incorrect estate notice period costs
An estate notice period that has not validly started cannot be cured retrospectively. The notice must be republished and the period restarted. For a J193 that is 30 lost days. For a J187 it is 21 lost days. Multiply that across an estate book and the cost in unbillable time is significant.
Publish your J193 or J187 with the right start date
Need your J193 or J187 published this week with the correct start date and Master-acceptable proof? Legal Notice Publishing handles the full process. Contact jana@legalnotice.co.za. For background, read the statutory requirements for a Section 29 notice or advertise estate notice.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How long is the estate notice period for a J193?
A: 30 days, counted from the later of the Government Gazette and newspaper publication dates.
Q: How long is the estate notice period for a J187?
A: 21 days, calculated the same way.
Q: Do weekends and public holidays count?
A: Yes. The estate notice period runs on calendar days.
Q: Can the estate notice period be shortened?
A: No. The period is fixed by the Administration of Estates Act and cannot be varied.
Sources: Master forms, Chief Master’s Directives, Master of the High Court
