Theart v Scheibert and Others (630/11) [2012] ZASCA 131; [2012] 4 All SA 278 (SCA) (27 September 2012)
Court
Supreme Court of Appeal
Case number
630/11
Judges
Cloete, Cachalia, Malan, Tshiqi, Erasmus
The Supreme Court of Appeal held that the mutual will did not effect a massing of the estates of the testators. The will, when interpreted in accordance with established principles, did not clearly indicate an intention to consolidate the estates for a joint disposition to the appellant. The presumption against massing applied due to ambiguity. Consequently, the testator retained the right to revoke his own dispositions, and the subsequent will was valid only in respect of his share. The appellant was entitled to succeed to the testatrix's half share of the joint estate under the mutual will,…