ESTATE PLANNING, WILLS & FIDUCIARY SERVICES
why a will matters
SAFEGUARDING YOUR LEGACY WITH WILLS, TRUSTS & ESTATE PLANNING
At Brenthurst Wealth, we provide expert guidance in the drafting and safekeeping of wills, comprehensive estate planning, fiduciary services, and the administration of deceased estates. Our priority is to protect your legacy and ensure your wishes are honored with care and precision.
Led by Malissa Conlin and Rozanne Heystek-Potgieter, our dedicated legal team combines specialist knowledge with personal attention, offering peace of mind and continuity for you and your family.
Speak to our legal and fiduciary experts today for tailored assistance.
why a will matters
SAFEGUARDING YOUR LEGACY WITH WILLS, TRUSTS & ESTATE PLANNING
At Brenthurst Wealth, we provide expert guidance in the drafting and safekeeping of wills, comprehensive estate planning, fiduciary services, and the administration of deceased estates. Our priority is to protect your legacy and ensure your wishes are honored with care and precision.
Led by Malissa Conlin and Rozanne Heystek-Potgieter, our dedicated legal team combines specialist knowledge with personal attention, offering peace of mind and continuity for you and your family.
Speak to our legal and fiduciary experts today for tailored assistance.
IS YOUR WILL UP TO DATE?
It is a well-known fact that more than 70% of people do not have a will or if they have one, the will is not updated or relevant anymore.
Why spend a whole life building up assets, only to have the whole process undermined by either not having a will or having one that does not reflect your wishes when you are not there anymore? Yet this is what most people do. All it takes is a simple one page document signed by you and two witnesses.
Make this year the year when you get your legal affairs in order ensuring you do not leave your family dealing with the consequences of your dereliction of duties.
NOMINATING AN EXECUTOR
Offshore Expertise Matter
Your portfolio may be diversified offshore, but if your will and executor are outdated, your estate may not be in safe hands.
Choosing an executor is not only about fees or avoiding estate duty. It is about expertise. Executors must stay informed on estate planning, tax changes, and global trends that affect your estate. Too often, investors receive outdated or incorrect advice on offshore assets, resulting in unnecessary costs and delays.
Valuable estate planning requires proper financial advice, knowledge of local and foreign tax rules, and an understanding of estate administration laws across jurisdictions. If your executor cannot explain how each offshore asset will be handled, they will likely struggle when the time comes to administer your estate.
Handled correctly, offshore assets can be transferred efficiently and enjoyed by heirs. Handled poorly, they may cause frustration, delays, and unnecessary expenses. Choose your executor wisely.
what happens
IF YOU DON’T HAVE A WILL?
- Spouse only: inherits everything.
- Spouse & children: share equally, but spouse gets R250,000 or a child’s share (whichever is greater).
- Children only: inherit equally, with grandchildren stepping in if a child has died.
- No spouse/children: parents, then siblings, inherit.
- No family: the State inherits.
- Lets you choose who inherits.
- Allows you to appoint guardians for minor children.
- Helps avoid family disputes and delays.
HOW A WILL
PROTECTS YOUR WISHES
A will is often described as your last love letter to your family.
More practically, it is a clear set of instructions for your executor on how your estate should be handled.
A will gives you the power to:
✔ Decide who inherits your estate
✔ Ensure special bequests are honored
✔ Set up trusts for children until adulthood
✔ Appoint someone you trust to resolve disputes
✔ Record your funeral wishes
✔ Exclude heirs if you choose
Simple wills can be drafted by anyone, but complex estates require professional guidance. Mistakes such as a beneficiary or executor signing often result in wills being rejected.
As your financial advisors, we make sure your will stays current and reflects your wishes. Each year we review client wills, assist with updates or drafting when needed, and provide executor services. This is part of our holistic approach and ensures your affairs are always in order, giving you peace of mind.
OTHER IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Have you checked your beneficiaries recently (policies & investments)?
At Brenthurst Wealth we help ensure your documents are accurate and your loved ones are protected. Outdated or incorrect nominations can cause serious problems for your family.
✔ Keep original documents safe
✔ Share copies with your financial advisor
✔ Review beneficiary details regularly
- Most wills fail because of one bad choice, Issue 708, October 2025
- Preparing your children for receiving an inheritance, Issue 647, February 2025
- Everything you need to know about Powers of Attorney, Issue 555, September 2023
- The importance of a valid will, Issue 556, September 2023
- Safeguard your digital legacy, Issue 622, September 2024
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Esmarelda Isaacs-Andreas joined the Brenthurst Wealth Stellenbosch office in October 2025, taking on the dual role of Receptionist and Fiduciary Administrator.
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Angelique Anderson joins our Pretoria office as an Administrative Assistant, bringing over 24 years of experience across the financial, legal, and executive support sectors, both locally and internationally. Her meticulous attention to detail, discretion, and extensive knowledge of asset finance and compliance make her an invaluable addition to our team.
Ashley joined Brenthurst Wealth in January 2025 as Office Administrative Assistant and Receptionist for the Stellenbosch Office.
René Heystek joined Brenthurst Wealth in November 2023, as receptionist and administrative assistant in the newly established George/Garden Route office.
Michelle Heystek has built a career in the financial services over the last two decades, after obtaining her B.Com degree in Financial Management in 2005. Once she joined Brenthurst in 2006, she continued her academic journey, obtaining her Certificate in Wealth Management from INSETA in 2007, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State. In 2008, she earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation.
Anelle joined Brenthurst Wealth as a Receptionist and Administrative Assistant to Brian Butchart in the Cape Town office in December 2023. She has a wealth of knowledge from working as a liaison between Financial Advisers and clients at TMA and Absa Investment Management Services (Aims) since 1998. She obtained her B. com degree from the University of Port Elizabeth in 1997.
ADMITTED ATTORNEY | FINANCIAL PLANNER & HEAD OF BRENTHURST FOURWAYS
Sanet was appointed in April 2020, joining our Cape Town team as an Executive Administration Assistant to Renee Eagar. She has been in the financial services industry since 1990. Her previous experience includes positions at Sanlam, BJM and ABSA. She spent her last 12 years working at Alexander Forbes Private Client Wealth as a Senior Wealth Management Assistant. She has received numerous accolades over the years which include but not limited to, Alexander Forbes Client Service Excellence – Silver award in 2014,2015 and 2017. Sanet has also obtained her Certificate in Wealth Management (NQF 5) in 2012 and achieved “Best Student of the Year” from Moonstone.
Maria Smit is a Certified Financial Planner® with over 10 years of experience in the financial planning industry.
