e4, a leading partner in digital transformation, has announced the launch of Legatum (Legacy), a new digital deceased estate management system designed to tackle delays and inefficiencies in estate processing. Using e4’s existing automation, secure digital workflows and integrated compliance tools, Legatum aims to transform the way legal and financial professionals manage estate administration.
Managing deceased estates in South Africa is often a lengthy and challenging task. It involves attorneys, banks, insurers, SARS and the Master of the High Court. Outdated manual processes and systems can lead to delays and administrative bottlenecks. With an estimated 102,300 estates requiring structured management annually, inefficiencies in the current system can result in even longer wait times with serious financial implications for executors, legal professionals, and importantly, beneficiaries.
“The Master’s Office is overwhelmed with backlogs where digital adoption has been slow. In addition, executors and legal professionals often still navigate complex, paper-based manual systems that are prone to errors, leading to unavoidable delays. Legatum takes a digital-first approach to streamline more processes faster, accurately and securely without compromising on the flexibility needed to manage complex estate matters,” explains Andrea Carr, Head of R&D at e4.
Legatum integrates several key digital capabilities that simplify and automate steps in the deceased estate administration process. These include a KYC-compliant validation of the deceased and heirs/beneficiaries, integrated advertising of estates and automated document generation for submission to the Master’s Office. The platform also offers secure communication tools to help reduce manual inputs and minimise the need to switch between systems.
“Losing someone is hard enough, wrapping up the estate shouldn’t add to the burden. By applying our capability stack to an estate management platform, attorneys and executors are able to gently guide families through the legal and administrative process of honouring their loved ones legacies with less stress and fewer delays” explains Carr. The system utilises e4 subsidiary SearchWorks’
360 search types to validate and verify details of individuals, properties and trusts related to an estate matter.
Through pre-populated data fields, the system minimises errors and enables attorneys and estate practitioners to quickly verify assets, liabilities, and beneficiaries without having to manually source this information or using various software systems to complete the administration process. A built-in notification and alert system also helps professionals track critical deadlines, while automated Liquidation and Distribution (L&D) account generation reduces processing time. Secure, centralised document storage also ensures all records are readily accessible throughout the estate management process.
“Our aim was to develop a flexible system that enhances efficiency without imposing rigid workflows as no two estates are the same. Legatum is designed to adapt to the complexities of each case, whether it takes six months or several years to resolve. Legatum provides the attorney with a centralised platform automating aspects such as – but not limited to – advertising of full estates and the KYC verification feature, which immediately ensures that the firm is FIC compliant says Grant Phillips, Group CEO of e4.
With National Wills Month approaching in September, it’s a timely opportunity for agents to check that heirs and beneficiaries have updated, signed wills in place. Recording these within Legatum means the instructions are clear and accessible when needed, helping to ensure legacies are carried out as intended.
Future enhancements
The launch of Legatum is just the first phase of a larger innovation roadmap aimed at transforming estate management in South Africa. Upcoming enhancements will include direct integration with SARS for estate tax submissions, allowing executors to file electronically instead of relying on manual submission processes.
“As digital transformation gains momentum in the legal sector, Legatum is designed to evolve in step with regulatory changes and market needs,” says Phillips. “Our vision is to create a truly connected ecosystem, reducing estate settlement times and offering a seamless, technology-driven approach to what has traditionally been a highly complex process.”
A meaningful step toward digital transformation
Legatum is positioned to bridge the gap between outdated estate administration processes and the modern digital era. By introducing a solution that is data-driven, secure, and adaptable, e4 is helping legal and financial professionals navigate the complexities of estate management with greater confidence and efficiency.
As the platform continues to grow, e4 remains committed to collaborating with industry stakeholders to ensure that Legatum meets the evolving needs of estate practitioners, financial institutions, and regulators alike.
Road Deaths, Wills Drafting and Estate Administration
Road Deaths, Wills Drafting and Estate Administration –
What are Fiduciary Services?https://t.co/UrV1umrpIb#ArriveAlive #FiduciaryServices @LegatusTrust pic.twitter.com/6J6lUxoEYd– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) July 24, 2025