Deceased Estates
Losing a loved one is hard, and having to deal with their estate can be daunting. We’re here to guide you through the deceased estate process step by step. This service involves handling all the legal formalities after someone passes away. We will help you: report the estate to the Master of the High Court, collect and manage assets and finally distribute the inheritance to the rightful heirs. If the deceased left a will, we ensure its instructions are carried out correctly; if not, we assist with the intestate (no-will) process in line with South African law. Our firm takes on the paperwork and coordination – drafting necessary documents, communicating with banks and authorities – so that you don’t have to struggle with it during a difficult time. Throughout the process, we keep you informed and make sure you understand each step. Our compassionate approach means you can ask us anything, anytime, and we’ll do our best to make the journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Wills and Trusts
Planning for the future is one of the most important gifts you can give to yourself and your family. We assist clients with all aspects of estate planning, especially creating wills and setting up trusts. Drafting a Will: We will sit down with you (or consult remotely) to discuss your wishes – who should inherit what, who you’d like to appoint as guardians for minor children, and any special bequests or messages you want to include. Using that information, we draft a clear, legally sound will that reflects your exact wishes. We make sure your will is properly signed and witnessed according to the law, so it will hold up when needed. Setting up Trusts: If you have assets you’d like to protect or manage through a trust (for example, providing for children, a family business, or a charitable cause), we can help establish one. We’ll explain the different types of trusts in simple terms and advise if a trust is suitable for your needs. Once you decide, we handle all the legal documents to create and register the trust, and guide the appointed trustees on their duties. Our focus is always on making these processes easy to understand. We’ll answer all your questions about wills, living wills, power of attorney, or trusts, so you feel confident that your loved ones will be taken care of and your assets handled properly. With a well-drafted will and trust plan, you can have peace of mind knowing that the future is secured.
Antenuptial Contracts
If you’re getting married, congratulations! An antenuptial contract (ANC) is probably not the first thing on your wedding planning list, but it’s a crucial step for many couples in South Africa. We’re here to make the antenuptial contract process simple and straightforward. In South Africa, if you don’t sign an antenuptial contract before your marriage, you will by default be married in community of property (which means all assets and debts are shared). Many couples prefer to be married out of community of property, with or without the accrual system – an antenuptial contract is what lets you do that. We will explain these terms and options in plain language: essentially, an ANC allows you to decide how your finances will be managed in marriage, and protects both partners’ interests.
Litigation (Magistrate’s & High Court)
Facing a legal dispute or court case can be overwhelming, but with the right support and representation, you won’t have to face it alone. We offer litigation services for matters in both the Magistrate’s Court and the High Court, which covers a wide range of cases. What does this mean? The Magistrate’s Court typically handles less complex or lower-value civil cases and minor criminal cases, while the High Court deals with more serious civil disputes and serious criminal charges. Nadine is qualified to appear in both courts, so we can assist whether your issue is big or small, simple or complex.
Civil Litigation
These are cases like contract disputes, property disagreements, unpaid debts, personal injury claims, defamation, or family matters that end up in court. We will help you file or defend lawsuits, prepare legal documents (summonses, pleadings, affidavits), and represent you in front of the magistrate or judge. Our approach is to first understand your situation in detail, then give you honest advice about the strengths of your case and potential outcomes. Whenever possible, we explore settlement options or mediation to resolve the dispute out of court – this can save time and costs. However, if going to trial is necessary, we will build a strong case for you, gather evidence, consult expert witnesses if needed, and tenaciously argue on your behalf in court.
Other property law matters
In addition to transfers, we can assist with various property-related legal needs. This includes drafting or reviewing lease agreements for rentals, advising on property disputes (like boundary issues or eviction processes), and helping with property finance documents. If you’re a first-time home buyer, we’ll gladly walk you through the steps and costs involved in a transfer, so there are no surprises. Our aim is to be a one-stop resource for any property law questions you have – delivering practical advice in an approachable way. At Nadine Wilkinson Attorneys, we take pride in ensuring that your property deals are not only legally sound, but also as simple and convenient for you as possible.
Criminal Litigation
If you are facing criminal charges (for example, theft, assault, or any offense), we can represent you through the criminal justice process. We will ensure your rights are protected, help you understand the charges against you, apply for bail if needed, and defend you in trial. Nadine’s experience in criminal litigation means she’s familiar with courtroom procedure and how to challenge the prosecution’s case effectively.
Regardless of the type of case, our firm is by your side through every step – from the first consultation, through pre-trial meetings, all the way to the final verdict. We keep you updated on your case’s progress and make sure you understand what’s happening and why. Going to court can be stressful, but our clients take comfort in knowing they have a dedicated, caring attorney fighting for them. Our ultimate aim is to achieve the best possible outcome for you, while minimising stress and confusion along the way.
Property Transfers & Property Law
Buying or selling property is a big milestone – it can be exciting but also involves a lot of legal paperwork. We offer comprehensive property law services to help make your property transactions smooth and worry-free. The main service in this area is property transfers, also known as conveyancing. In South Africa, whenever you buy or sell a house or land, an attorney who is qualified as a conveyancer must handle the transfer of the title deed. Nadine Wilkinson Attorneys can act as your conveyancer, taking care of all the technical details to legally transfer ownership of the property.
How we help with a transfer
We will draft or review the Deed of Sale (the contract of sale for the property) to ensure your interests are protected. Once the sale is underway, we liaise with the banks (if there’s a bond/mortgage involved), the deeds registry, and the other party’s attorneys to get all necessary documents in order. We prepare the transfer documents, explain them to you in plain language, and arrange for you to sign. Then we’ll handle the lodging of the documents at the Deeds Office and follow up until the property is officially registered in the new owner’s name. We know that buying or selling a home can be stressful, so we make it our job to keep you informed of progress and move things along efficiently. With our team managing the process, you can focus on the excitement of your new home or investment, while we handle the legal formalities.