Essential planning in uncertain times

2020 certainly caught us off-guard. Who would have thought that we would have been in lockdown for more than 100 days or that unions, parents, government and other stakeholders would fight about whether children attending schools would be a good idea?

When we open the newspaper, switch on the television or browse through social media, we are confronted with terrifying COVID-19 statistics. Lives are lost and we are anxious about the economic wellbeing of our country and the world. Nobody knows where this pandemic is heading or how much longer we will be facing these uncertain times.

Reading the statistics and stories of people who are infected or affected by the virus reminds us of our own impermanence and the importance of ensuring our families and businesses are well taken care of in the event of our inability to do so.

In uncertain and challenging times, it is always sensible to sit down, take a deep breath and clear your head and heart of panic to allow you to identify the things over which you do still have a certain amount of control and to take the opportunity to get your own house in order. You have to ensure that your personal and business continuity planning is in place and that your family is protected against serious financial risk should the unthinkable happen.

This is where estate planning is of vital importance and merely having a will in place is not always sufficient. There are numerous factors you have to consider before drafting your will. In order to make informed decisions to put an effective plan in place, it is prudent to consult professionals who have insight into your affairs and have the knowledge to carefully assist and advise you on all these factors, which include the legal, financial and various tax aspects. 

We would like to help you achieve this peace of mind.

At PKF PE we have a well-educated and experienced team of experts, comprising of an attorney specialising in estate planning and commercial matters, professional tax specialists and our audit partners; to assist you with the wide spectrum of factors to be considered when designing a comprehensive personalised estate plan which will ensure peace of mind to you, your family and your business partners.  

We are available during the lockdown period and can consult with you in person, telephonically or via Zoom or another electronic portal which better suits you.

Please contact Elizna Gouws on elizna.gouws@pkf.co.za or 081 046 4110 to help you with your Last Will & Testament.