0s/08/207sSYLLABUSTHEME2The Lawof TestateSuccessionAdditionalCase LawLipchick v The MasterScottv TheMasterTestamentarvCaSection 4 Ageof 16Mentalcapacitystudylnt21rIdamitaryIntroductionandTerminolValiditvof a will:WillsAct7 of 1953Lawof SuccessionAmendmentAct43of t992Allwillsexecutedonor after1 January1954t.Personz. DocumentTestamentaryCapacityPerson (Chapter 3)Testamentaryca pacityTestator (self)- AgeTestator (others)-MentaIDocument(Chapter 4)' FormalitiesTestamentaryCapacitySection4Everypersonof theage of sixteenyearsormore may makea willunless at the timeofmakingthe will he is mentallyincapableofappreciatingthenature andeffect of his act,andtheburdenof proof that he wasmentallyincapableat thattimeshall rest onthepersonallegingsamelr.r."-"lr"r."-"ntary capacity IAqe of 16Before:Absoluteinca pacityAfter:Absolutecapacity(noassistanceMentalCaoacitvAppreciatenatureof actAppreciateeffectof actos/08/zotsAnswereach of the followingquestionswith regardto thevalidity of the Will:Will executedwhilst the testator isunder the influenceof alcohola. Valida. Invalidc. Dependsif the testatorunderstoodthe act andthe consequencesthereofWill executedwhilst the testator isunder the influenceof drugsa. Valids. Invalidc. Dependsif thetestator understoodthe act andconsequencesthereofs3%31vo33%Will executedwhilst the testator isunder the influenceof drugs andalcohol]37. 33vn. Valide. Invalidc. Dependsif thetestator understoodthe act andconsequencesthereof@Will executedby a 87 Year oldblind personunder the influenceof pain-killerse. Valide. Invalidc. Dependsif the testatorunderstoodthe act andconsequences thereofos/08lzoLsWill executedby a person withmental illnessn. Valide. Invalidc. Dependsif thetestator understoodthe act andconsequencesthereof1)./" !3%Will executedby a Prodigalwithout the assistance of hiscuratorn, Valide. Invalidc. Dependsif thetestator understoodthe act andconsequencesthereofWill executedby a 92 year oldwith history of episodesofdementian. Valide. Invalidc. Dependsif thetestator understoodthe act andconsequencesthereofTestamentaryCaPNotcontractualcapacityNotaccountabilityTobedeterminedon case-to-casebasis'oiTestamenta CaMental CapacitY Appreciateeffectof actTobe determinedon case-to-casebasisnAbilityto distinguishbetweenpotential heirs.:.Decision as to theirproportionateclaimsMental Capacity Appreciatenatureof actTobe determinedon case-to-casebasis..rThe merefactthatcapabilitiesarereduced,does notcausetestamentary incapacity.!Understand thatdocumentisa will andwhatthe consequencesareni.e.disposingproperty after one's deathandappointingexecutorto oversee theproces*,""oslos/20LsTestamentaryCaPaciMental Capacity SpecificcasesTobe determinedon case-to-casebasis.l Prodigal.! Influenceof alcohol,drugs,pain-killersorother substances.l Old age.i Illness.l Mentallyretarded :[::;;"'TestamentaryCaNarrowapproachwtttnc.:. Spiesvs Smith. Subnormalintelligence.l GeldenhuysvsBorman. Incapableof managing.l Essop vsMustapha. old ase EA'.:. Harlow vsBecker. Veryill 3and epileptic ffiaffairs ffiITestamentaryCapacityWhendoweapply test todeterminetestator'scompetence?Timeof makingwill is relevantBut: time of instructionis alsosignificantNow:no distinction betweeninstruction,drafting,executionand signatureTestamentaryCaPacitYEssopvsMustaphaHarlowvsBeckerTestamentarvCawill #2. Sonwas executor. "Farms"to heirs. FarmworkersR25000will #3. Attorney was executor."Farms"to besold -proceedsto oldaqehome. FarmworkersR50000Effect of Will#3:SondisinheritedTestamentaryCapac-lSonwantsWill#3declaredinvalid,on thebasisthatthetestatordid nothavetesta mentScott vs theMasterCourt:.l Burden of proof: Personallegingincapacitymust proveit (Section4).!.Factualquestionbasedon evidence.:. Balanceof probabilitiesosloslzolsTestamentarY CaPeslql -Scott vs theMaster_ :if":,il]1'1 ,** ")Testamentary CaScott vs theMCourt:i. tfretest to beappliedin decidingthe questionif the testator was e!-t!g gme-of sufficientintelligence, possessinga sufficientlysoundImind indmemoryfor her toglld-reldandI aooreciatethenatureofthetestamentaryIactin alldifferentbearings(KirstenvsBailey & Naidoovs trovvlt!rs!]TestamentaryCaI Scott vs thei MasterCourt:.:.There is noevidenceadducedby the applicantsthat,at the time the will was made, thedeceasedwas incaPableof makingatestamentary dispositionof his property norcouldheappreciatethe consequencesthereof.lWill#3 is validit"tt"-.ntarY caPa] gurden of proofSection 4:*FEEoiattesingincapacitybears onus of proof.!Question:whataboutcertified mentalincapacity?+ (Lucidumintervallum). Changeof onus?or. Section 4?Testamentary CaBurdenof proof.:.Onus does notchange. Geldenhuysvs Borman. HarlowvsBecker. ThirionTestamentary CaBurden of Proofti.:.Test: Is the testator able to carryout aneffectivetestamentary act. Canhe identify assetsto be disposed ofafterhis death(nature). Determinedistribution ofassets (effect). Identifyheirs(Trageav Goddart)(effect)os/08/2orsactors uencrngExpressionFactorsInfluencingTTestAsk: Wasthere a displacementof volition(ownwill)?If yes: will is invalid,if no:the willisvalidi.e.: Doesthe will containthe wishesofthetestator or someone else?Answereach of the followingquestionswith regard to thevalidity of Ben'sWill:Benchangedhis will to benefit only hissister's children,becausetheir fatheris not around andshebeggedhim topitythemn. Valide. Invalidc. Dependsif the sister'sinfluencecaused adisplacement of Ben'swishes33%33963396Benis a successful lawyer, Hisunclepaid for his studiesand asked Ben tothink of him in his will,since Benwouldnot have beenthere withouthis help.Benbeoueathsmonev to his uncleA.B,c.ValidInvalidDependsif the uncle'sinfluencecaused adisplacementof Ben'swishes3!%f3%33yoDr KatetreatedBen'slate fatherfor free.Sheshowers Benwithcondolences uponhis dad's passing. Ben feels guiltyandueathsR15000 to dr Kate.33%33% 33%e. Valide. Invalidc. Dependsif dr Kate'sinfluencecaused adisplacementof Ben'swishes5os/08/2oLsBen's motherre- Peter.BenchangeshisWill in favourof Peter;after Petertold him thathe would usethe bequestto takegoodcareof hismothere. Valids. Invalidc. Dependsif Peter'sinfluencecaused a" ) displacement of Ben'swishesFactorsInfluencingTesta menta ry Expression. Testatorwas"mentallyretarded". Unclewas curator,bonis. Testatormade willbenefitinguncle'schildrenCourt:Twogrounds:. 1.Was testatormentallycapabletoexecutewill?. 2. Wastestatorundulyinfluencedby uncle?Spies vs SmithFactorsInfluencingTestamentaryExpressionSpies vs Smith. Testatorwas"mentallyretardedl'. Unclewas curatorbonis. Testatormade willbenefitlnguncle'schildrenCourt:. Eventhoughmentallyretarded,hecouldappreciatenatureandeffectofact. Flatter,professionsoflovefollowedby directrequestis notnecessarilyundueinfluence. Testremains:wasthere a dispositionofvolition?FactorsInfluencingTesta menta rv ExpressionFactors. Testator'sstateof mlnd. Ability to withstand influence. Relationshipbetween testatorandpersonattempting to influence. Timeperiodbetweenexecutionofwill deathDelegationof TestamentaryrPowerGeneralRule!. TestatorMUSTexercise testamentarypowerhimself. Maynotdelegateit tosomeone elseto do itonhisbehalfExceotions!. Bequestfor charitablepu rposes. PowerofDelegationof TestamentarylPowerBequest for charitablepurposes(ad pias causaor edI bequeathmyentireestateintrustto mytrustees, to beusedas bursariesto benefitstudentsatTUKS.*The trustee haspowerto appointspecificbeneficiaries.:.Within theparametersofthetrustos/08/zotsPowerofAppointment.tThe trustee has power to appointspecific incomeorcapitalbeneficiaries.lFrom a selectedclass / groupI bequeaththe residuein trustto my trustees, withthe widestdiscretion,to be usedfor the benefitofallorsome of mychildrenDelegation of TestamentaryPowerPowerof Apoointment*UnderRomanLaw, powerofappointmentonly byway offideicommissum*TestatorappointedFiduciary whohadpowertoappointfideicommissaries*(thisalso appliedto usufruct)But:Braun v BlannandBotha - alsoextendedtopower ofappointmentgrantedto trusteeDelegationof TestamentaryPoweri Braunvs Blann &I sothaii.:.Testatrix createda testamentary trust.!Bequeathed residue of estateto testamentarytrust.!Administrators had widestdiscretionto appointincomeorcapital beneficiaries from children.:.Administrators had furtherpower to createa newtrust(andappointtrusteesandbeneficiaries)forthe benefitof grandchildren / greatgrandchildrenDelegationof TestamentaryPowerCourt:trTestamentarytrustand power ofappointmentinrespect ofgrandchildrenamountstodelegationoftestamentarypowerCourt:DTestamentarytrustand power ofappointmentinrespect of childrenis validDelegationof TestamentaryPower.llntention to exercisepowerof appointment.tIn accordance withprovisionsofwill.l(Ferreira v Smit).lAppointment mustbeexercisedinitsentirety!47IExercising a powerofappointmentDelegationof TestamentaryPower.tlmmovable property- fideicommissum.:.Grandson = fiduciaryandlawfuldescendants =fideicommissaryheirs.!Adopted children+Exceededhis powerof appointmentl.3I8os/08/zotsAssetto estateupontermination of interest -intestateDelegationof TestamentaryLegalpositionofgranteewhere powerofappointment =invalidFiduciarywillreceiveDelegationof TestamentaryPowertrTestator'sintention(in will)trIf nointention:DNatureofbequestOLegalpositionof granteeilnvalidPoweroflAppointmentCapacityto sign as witnessCompetentWitness:WillsAct7 of 1953Lawof SuccessionAmendment Act 43of L992All wills executedonor a'1ftel1 January1954t. Person2. Documentto sisn as witnessPersonSection 1DocumentSection2(1)(aXiii)Section4AOlder than14Notincompetenttogiveevldenceincourt2 competentwitnessesIn the presenceofthetestatorand eachotherNotbeneficiary-Blindperson?ity to sign as witness IThefunctionof thewitness'attestationts:To attestto thesignature of the testator(Identity andfree will)Ca n as witnessWitnessmaynotreceivebenefit,unless:Benefit = alsoexecutor/ trusteeetcjThecourt directs that he is entitledtoI benefit asthere wasno undueinfluence;loRIWitn"rtis entitledtointestatebenefit| {tirit"o to intestateshare) oR, Thereareat least2 other competentIwitnesses9os/08/zoLsA witness is required to read the Willbeforeattesting (signing as witnessA witness may never be a beneficiaryin the Willwhich he is an. Truee. False5M50%A witness shall be entitledto receiveabenefit from a Willwhich he attested,to the extentthat he would havebeenan intestateheirso%A witness is required to sign eachpage of the Willn. Truea. False@A court may declarethat a witness isentitledto be a beneficiary in a Willwhich he attestedR. Truea. False10os/08/207sAsa general rule, the executorappointedin a Will may not signthatWillas a witnessa. Truee. FalseFor Monday 3 August 2015:. Draft and execute(sign)afictitiousWill (fabricatingyourown facts andbeneficiaries).. The Will must consistof 2pages.11