Placing a Form 187 advert is a required legal step in the administration of a deceased estate in South Africa. Formally known as the “Liquidation and Distribution Accounts in Deceased Estates Lying for Inspection”, this notice is required under Section 35(5) of the Administration of Estates Act, No. 66 of 1965.

For many families, ministers and church office-bearers walking alongside a grieving household, understanding this process helps to give guidance and peace of mind.

ALSO READ: How to place a Form J193 advert (Notice to Creditors in Deceased Estates)

The role of the Form 187 advert

The Form 187 advert is a public notification that the Liquidation and Distribution (L&D) Account for a deceased estate has been approved and is now open for inspection.

Its core purpose is to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability – values that resonate strongly with Christian stewardship:

• Core function: It officially notifies all potential creditors, heirs and other interested parties that they have 21 days to inspect the account and, if necessary, lodge formal objections with the Master’s Office.

• Trigger: The Executor (or authorised agent) may only place this notice after the L&D Account has been accepted by the Master of the High Court.

For congregations and families, this step is part of doing things “decently and in order” – taking care that the estate is wound up fairly and legally.

The process of placing your Form 187 advert

Modern Master’s Directives now recognise digital publication, which has made the process more efficient and accessible across South Africa.

1. Confirm the Master’s approval of the L&D Account

Before anything is published, the Executor must have written confirmation that the Liquidation and Distribution Account has been approved by the Master of the High Court for inspection. The advert refers directly to this account, so it cannot be placed prematurely.

2. Compile all required information

The contents of your Form 187 advert must be accurate and complete to be legally valid. All essential details are contained on the official Form J187 that is submitted to the Government Gazette.

Typical required information includes (among others):

• The name and identity number of the deceased

• The last known address of the deceased

• The Master’s Office and Magistrate’s Court (where applicable)

• The estate number

• The period and location where the L&D Account will lie for inspection

Accuracy here is not only a legal requirement, but also a matter of integrity and care for everyone involved.

3. Select an approved publication method

Compliance requires the notice to be published in a way that ensures broad, nationwide accessibility – especially important in a country where families and heirs may be spread across provinces.

• Digital platforms: A professional online legal notice publisher, such as LegalNotice.co.za, offers a practical and compliant solution. Such services provide:

  • Nationwide reach

  • Time-stamped, verifiable proof of publication

  • Alignment with the latest Master’s Directives on online publication

4. Submit your Form 187 advert for publication

When using a specialist service like Legal Notice Publishing (LegalNotice.co.za), the process is simplified so that executors, pastors or church office staff are not burdened with complex admin:

1. Request a quote
   Ask for the relevant information sheet and a quote for placing the Form 187 advert.

2. Submit your content
   Provide either the prepared notice text or all the required details from the J187 form. The publisher then formats the notice in a legally compliant way.

3. Approve the proof
   You receive a digital proof of the advert to check for spelling, names, dates and references. Only once you are satisfied will it be published.

4. Government Gazette placement
   You can either:

   • Ask Legal Notice Publishing to handle the Government Gazette submission on your behalf, or

   • Use the formatted notice to do the Gazette placement yourself.

Filing the proof of publication with the Master

After publication, you will receive proof of publication, usually in the form of:

• A PDF tear sheet or certificate; and

• A live URL link to the online notice.

This proof must be filed with the Master of the High Court as evidence that the legal requirement under Section 35(5) has been fulfilled. It becomes part of the estate’s administrative record and helps to show that everything has been done transparently and properly.

Why use LegalNotice.co.za for your Form 187 advert?

For ministers, church councils, attorneys and executors connected to congregations, using a dedicated legal notice service can remove a great deal of stress from an already emotional season.

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Walking alongside families with care

Administering a deceased estate can be overwhelming for families. When pastors, elders, church secretaries and Christian professionals understand the role of a Form 187 advert, they can offer informed guidance – helping families see that this is part of closing a chapter honourably, transparently and in good order.

To place a compliant Form 187 advert and ensure that all legal requirements are met with professionalism and care, you can contact LegalNotice.co.za: estates@legalnotice.co.za

So can you focus on walking with the family, while specialists handle the technical details of the estate process.

*This article was written by Nuusflits.