To provide the surviving spouse in certain circumstances with a claim for maintenance against the estate of the deceased spouse; and to provide for incidental matters.
'survivor' means the surviving spouse in a marriage dissolved by death.
[NB: The definition of 'survivor' has been substituted by s. 8 of the Reform of Customary Law of Succession and Regulation of Related Matters Act 11 of 2009, a provision which will be put into operation by proclamation. See PENDLEX.
If a marriage is dissolved by death after the commencement of this Act the survivor shall have a claim against the estate of the deceased spouse for the provision of his reasonable maintenance needs until his death or remarriage in so far as he is not able to provide therefor from his own means and earnings.
The survivor shall, in respect of a claim for maintenance, not have a right of recourse against any person to whom money or property has been paid, delivered or transferred in terms of section 34 (11) or 35 (12) of the Administration of Estates Act, 1965 (Act 66 of 1965), or pursuant to an instruction of the Master in terms of section 18 (3) or 25 (1) (a) (ii) of that Act.
The proof and disposal of a claim for maintenance of the survivor shall, subject to paragraphs (b) , (c) and (d) , be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Administration of Estates Act, 1965 (Act 66 of 1965).
The claim for maintenance of the survivor shall have the same order of preference in respect of other claims against the estate of the deceased spouse as a claim for maintenance of a dependent child of the deceased spouse has or would have against the estate if there were such a claim, and, if the claim of the survivor and that of a dependent child compete with each other, those claims shall, if necessary, be reduced proportionately.
In the event of a conflict between the interests of the survivor in his capacity as claimant against the estate of the deceased spouse and the interests in his capacity as guardian of a minor dependent child of the deceased spouse, the Master may defer the claim for maintenance until such time as the court has decided on the claim.
The executor of the estate of a deceased spouse shall have the power to enter into an agreement with the survivor and the heirs and legatees having an interest in the agreement, including the creation of a trust, and in terms of the agreement to transfer assets of the deceased estate, or a right in the assets, to the survivor or the trust, or to impose an obligation on an heir or legatee, in settlement of the claim of the survivor or part thereof.
[Para. (d) substituted by s. 2 of Act 1 of 1992.
the standard of living of the survivor during the subsistence of the marriage and his age at the death of the deceased spouse.
This Act shall be called the Maintenance of Surviving Spouses Act, 1990, and shall come into operation on a date fixed by the State President by proclamation in the Gazette.