A will is a legally binding document which determines how your assets get distributed after you pass on and who is going to be in charge of administering such distribution, by appointing an executor. Should you not have a will at the point in time when you pass on, your assets will be distributed in terms of the provisions of the Intestate Succession Act no. 81 of 1987. In this case the Master of the High Court will appoint an executor for your estate and your family will wait significantly longer for the assets from your estate to be released. Should your estate devolve according to customary law, the local magistrate should be consulted on how the estate that is subject to customary law will be dealt with.