DECEASED ESTATES (WILLS, INHERITANCE AND PROTECTION)

BILL, 2004

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

SECTION

PART I
PRELIMINARY
Short Title
Application
Interpretation
Variation of customary law in relation to inheritance

PART II
WILLS
Capacity to dispose of property by will
Making of wills
Benefit of witness under will
Safe custody of wills
Revocation and alteration of wills
Effect of subsequent marriage and divorce

PART III
CONSTRUCTION OF WILLS
Intention of the testator to prevail
Where two construction possible
Will to speak from death
Technical words and terms not necessary

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 PART IV
PROVISION IN A WILL OF THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY OF THE TESTATOR
Provision for members of immediate family not adequately provided for by will

PART V
INTESTACY
Property in respect of which there is intestacy
Principles applicable on inheritance of intestate property
Inheritance of intestate property by other relations

PART VI
SURVIVORSHIP
Uncertainty regarding survivorship

PART VII
JURISDICITONS OF COURTS AND POWERS OF CONSULAR OFFICERS
Jurisdiction courts and powers of consular officers
Grants to Consular Officers
Chief Justice to make probate rules

PART VIII
PROTECTION OF ESTATES PENDING GRANT
Receiver pending grant
Sale by order of court
Suits against receiver
Chief Justice to make rules for application for receiver

PART IX
RENUNCIATION BY EXECUTORS
Express renunciation of right of probate

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 Citation and presumed renunciation
Effect of renunciation

PART X
GRANT OF PROBATE AND LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION BY THE COURT
Grants to corporations
Numbers of executors and administrators
Beneficiary may oppose appointment of personal representative
Grant of probate
Estate duty affidavit
Probate of copy, draft or contents of wills Codicil
propounded after probate
Authenticated copy of will proved abroad
Effect of probate
Failure of executors
Attorney of absent executor
Attorney of person entitled to letters of administration
Codicil propounded after letters of administration granted
Letters of administration on intestacy
Attorney of person entitled to administration
Letters of administration pending production of will
Pending litigation
Trust property
Grants with exception
Grants of excepted part
Effect of grant of letters of administration or probate
Death of one of several personal representatives
Death of sole or surviving personal representatives
Expiry of limited grant

PART XI
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 REVOCATION AND ALTERATION OF GRANTS
Rectification of errors
Revocation of grants and removal of executors, etc.
Payments by or to representatives whose grants are revoked
Surrender of revoked grants

PART XII
RE-SEALING
Sealing of certain grants made outside Malawi

PART XIII
SMALL ESTATES
Application
Exercise of jurisdiction by magistrate courts
Relatives may agree between themselves
Private land
Institutional money
Production to court of a will or certified copy and court to which application may be
made for a grant
Administration grant
Effect of Administration Grant
Death or disability of personal representative
Guardians
Duties and powers of administrator
Expenditure of care and management
Administrator guardian not to derive benefit
Exercise of powers of several administrators
Disputes
Offences by administrators and guardians
Subsequent discovery that estate death with as small estate exceeds limit of small estate

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 Chief Justice to make rules on small estates

PART XIV
GENERAL
Preservation of will and register of wills
Court’s discretion in matters of probate
Payment of salary of wages by employers
Sane murderer not to benefit from estate of victims
Application of Trustee Act
Proof of claims
Payment to representatives in country of domicile
Unlawful possession, etc. of deceased estate
Special public prosecutors
Civic awareness

PART XV
REPEAL AND SAVING
Repeal
Transitional
Saving

A BILL

entitled

An Act to provide for the making of wills and the devolution of property under a will;

the inheritance to the estates of persons dying without valid wills; the protection of
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 deceased estates; the administration of deceased estates; the prosecution of offences

relating to deceased estates; the civic education of the public; the functions of courts

in relation to deceased estates and for other connected matters

ENACTED by the Parliament of Malawi as follows-

PART I

PRELIMINARY

Short title 1. – This Act may be cited as the Deceased Estates (Wills, Inheritance and
Protection) Act.

Application 2. – This Act shall apply to the administration of estates of all persons dying
domiciled, or leaving property, in Malawi on or after the date upon which it

comes into operation; but any property belonging to the estate of such persons

which, at the coming into operation of this Act, remains partly or wholly

undistributed, shall be distributed in accordance with the provisions of this

Act.

Interpretation 3. – In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires-

“administration grant” means the grant made under section 65;

“administrator” means a person to whom a grant of letters of

administration or administration grant has been made under this Act;

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“child” means, a child of the deceased person, regardless of the

circumstances of the birth of the child and includes an adopted child,

and an unborn child in the womb of its mother ;

“court” means the High Court or a court having jurisdiction as

specified under section 20;

“court of probate” means a court or authority by whatever name

designated, in any country, having jurisdiction in matters of probate;

“dependant” in relation to a deceased person means a person, other

than a member of the immediate family, who was maintained by that

deceased person immediately prior to his or her death and who was-

his or her parent; or

a minor whose education was being provided for by that deceased

person, who is not capable, wholly or in part, of maintaining

himself or herself;

“executor” means a person to whom the administration of the estate

of a testator or part of such estate is entrusted by express or implied

appointment under a will;

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“hardship” in relation to any person means deprivation of the

ordinary necessities of life according to the way of living enjoyed by

that person during the lifetime of the intestate, an in the case of a

minor includes deprivation of the opportunities for education which

he or she could reasonably have expected had the intestate continued

to live;

“household belongings” means articles and effects of every

description used in, and for the purpose, of maintaining and enjoying

a home and family life;

“inheritable property” includes all causes of action which survive the

deceased, clothing and institutional money but does not include any

property which passes to another person by right of survivorship;

“institutional money” means money –

(a) held on a deposit or current account with a bank or a

financial or similar institution;

(b) due under any policy of insurance or assurance;

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 (c) due under provisions of any provident fund or similar

provision for employees;

(d) by way of gratuity, pension, terminal benefits, leave pay or

otherwise under the terms of employment of the deceased;

(e) received by any public officer, other than the Administrator

General, or received by a bank or a financial or similar

institution, as representing the property of a person domiciled

in Malawi who has died outside Malawi;

(f) held by way of treasury bills or other government bonds;

(g) due under a court order;

Cap. 55:02 (h) due under the Workers’ Compensation Act; or

held in or with such other institution as the Minister may prescribe

by an order published in the Gazette;

“intestate property” means property in respect of which there is an

intestacy under section 16;

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 “member of immediate family”, in relation to any person, means that

person’s spouse and children;

“minor” means a person who has not yet attained the age of eighteen

years unless:

(a) the person is lawfully married;

(b) the person is heading a household and is not below the age of

fourteen years; or

(c) the person holds property in his or her own right in

accordance with this Act or any other written law;

“personal representative” includes an administrator and executor;

“probate” means the certificate of the court that a will, of

which a certified copy in accordance with the Oaths, Declarations

Cap. 4:07 and Affirmations Act is attached, has been proved a valid will;

“Probate Rules” means rules made by the Chief Justice under section

22;

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 “provident fund” means fund for the future welfare of any person and
includes a similar provision for employees;

Cap. 3:02 Registrar” means the Registrar of the High Court as defined under the
Courts Act;

“small estate” means the estate of a deceased person consisting of

property which does not exceed K1,000,000 or such higher amount as

the Minister shall from time to time specify by notice in Gazette in

value at the date of the death of the deceased without making any

deduction for debts.

(2) A person is said to die intestate if he or she dies without

leaving a will which is valid in accordance with Part II of the Act.

Variation of 4. Except as provided for in this Act, no person shall be entitled under
customary law relating to any other written law or under customary law to take by inheritance
any inheritance of the property to which a deceased person was entitled at the date of his or
her death.
PART II

WILLS

Capacity to 5. – (1) Subject to this Act, a person who is of sound mind and is not a
dispose of
property by will minor may dispose of all or any of his or her property after his or her death

by will.

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 (2) A will may appoint persons who are not minors to administer the

estate of the testator or any property which is disposed of by will.

(3) Subject to section 6, disposal of property by will may be made to any

person and subject to any condition other than special provision.

(4) A parent may by his or her will appoint a guardian of his or her minor

child for the administration of the benefits of such child under the will; and

subject to Part XIII, a guardian so appointed shall, to the exclusion of any

customary guardian, have such powers as are conferred by law upon a

guardian.

(5) Where a person appointed as a guardian under subsection (4) dies or

otherwise desists from taking up the appointment, the court shall appoint

another person as a guardian in the absence of the initial appointee.

(6) A will may nominate a subordinate court to which applications

relating to the administration of the testator’s estate may be made and a court

so nominated shall, subject to section 20, have jurisdiction accordingly.

Making of 6. – (1) Every will shall be made in writing and shall be signed by the
wills

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testator in the presence of at least two competent witnesses who shall also

sign the will in the presence of the testator and in the presence of each other

as witnesses to the signature of the testator.

(2) Any person who is of sound mind and is not a minor shall be a

competent witness for the purpose of this section.

(3) A will may be made outside Malawi in respect of any property in

Malawi and a will so made shall be valid if made in accordance with the

provisions of this section or of the law of the place where it was made, or the

law of the place where the testator had his or her domicile when the will was

made.

(4) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section and of section 5

(1), a member of the defence forces of Malawi, on actual service as such,

may make a will which shall be valid notwithstanding that he or she is a

minor or that any of the formalities required by this section have not been

complied with.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), the Minister may, for the guidance of the

general public, by notice in the Gazette, prescribe a form in which a will

may be made.

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 (6) The validity of a will shall not be affected by reason of the fact that it
is not made in the form prescribed by the Minister or any other form if that
will otherwise complies with the requirements of this section.

Benefit of 7. – (1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who witnesses the testator’s
witness under
will signature of a will and a spouse of such witness shall not be entitled to take
any benefit under the will but shall be entitled to act as executor of the will:

Provided that a legatee under a will shall not be disentitled to a benefit

under the will by reason that he or she or his or her spouse has attested a

codicil confirming the will.

A benefit under a will to a witness who is a member of the

immediate family of the testator shall be valid if a court is satisfied, upon the

application of or on behalf of the witness, that-

(a) there was no other competent person who could have been witness
to the will;

(b) the benefit is fair in all the circumstances or the benefit

consists of property that would have devolved to the witness
upon intestacy; and

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 (c)
there is no evidence of fraud, coercion, undue influence or
other impropriety or suspicious circumstances surrounding
the making of the will.

(3) A benefit to a witness as provided under subsection (2) shall

not take effect except upon an order of the court made after hearing the
application in respect thereof confirming the conditions set out in that
subsection.

Safe custody 8. – (1) A living person may deposit his or her will for safe custody with
of wills
the Registrar or at the office of the District Commissioner or a resident
magistrate or a magistrate of the first grade subject to such conditions

relating to the deposit and withdrawal thereof as may be prescribed in

Probate Rules.

(2) Nothing in this section shall preclude the deposit of a will with any other
person, whether such other person is a bank, an insurer, a law firm, an
administrator of a provident fund or an employer.

Revocation and 9. – (1) The testator may at any time revoke his or her will-
alteration of

wills (a) by destroying the will with the intention to revoke it; or

(b) by making in a subsequent will or some document executed

like a will a statement of his or her intention to that effect.

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 (2) Where a testator dies having made more than one will the latest

in time of the said wills shall prevail over the earlier wills to the extent of any

revocation, variation or inconsistency.

(3) No obliteration, interlineation or other alteration made in a will

after its execution has any effect unless such alteration is signed and attested

as a will is required to be signed and attested under section 6, or is referred

to in a memorandum written at the end or some other part of the will and so

signed and attested.

Effect of 10. – (1) A will shall be revoked by the marriage after the making of the
subsequent
marriage will by the testator unless the will was made in contemplation of marriage
and divorce with the person who becomes the spouse of the testator as the case may be.

(2) Upon the end of a marriage of a testator by reason of divorce, unless the will

provides otherwise-

any gift made in a will in existence at the time the marriage ends by

the testator to the spouse; or

(b) any appointment of the spouse as an executor, trustee,

advisory trustee or guardian made by the will,

shall be revoked.
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 PART III

CONSTRUCTION OF WILLS

Intention of the 11. – (1) Subject to the provisions of this Part and Part IV, it shall be the
testator
to prevail duty of a court, in construing a will, to give effect to the intention of the
testator so far as such intention can be ascertained from the wording of the
will, and, in so doing, the court shall not be bound to follow any statutory
provision, rule of common law or doctrine of equity.

(2) The intention of a testator, as disclosed by his or her will, shall

not be set aside because it cannot take effect to the full extent, but effect

shall be given to it as far as possible.

Where two 12. Where any clause of a will is susceptible of two meanings, one of
constructions
possible which has some effect and one of which can have none, the former shall be preferred.

Will to speak 13. – (1) Every will shall be construed with reference to the estate
as from death
comprised therein, so as to take effect as if made immediately before the death of
the testator.

(2) A gift to a person who predeceases the testator shall lapse and be

of no effect.

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Technical 14. It shall not be necessary for technical words or terms of art to be used
words and
terms not in a will, but only that the wording be such that the intention of the testator
necessary can be ascertained
therefrom.

PART IV

PROVISION IN A WILL FOR MEMBERS OF THE IMMEDIATE

FAMILY OF THE TESTATOR

Provision for 15. – (1) On the application in the prescribed manner of a person claiming
members of
immediate to be, or to be acting on behalf of, a member of the immediate family of a
family not
adequately testator, a court may, if it is satisfied that-
provided for
by will
(a) the applicant is a member of the immediate family or person
acting on behalf of such member; and
(b) the testator has, intentionally or inadvertently or otherwise,

omitted to make a reasonable provision in his or her will for

such member,

order that a reasonable provision shall be made for the member in

accordance with this section.

(2) Where an application is made under subsection (1), it shall be competent for the

court to order, as the court considers on reasonable grounds to be just and proper,

that such part of the value of the testator’s estate after payment of the testator’s

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 debts and funeral and administration expenses of the estate, be applied for the

maintenance of the member, and the manner in which it is to be so applied.

(3) In considering whether an order under this section should be

made and, if so, what order is proper, the court shall have regard to-

(a) the nature of testator’s property;

(b) any past, present or future capital or income from any source

of the applicant;

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(c) the conduct of the applicant in relation to the testator and otherwise;

(d) the circumstances of the other members of the immediate

family and the beneficiaries under the will; and

the general circumstances of the case.

PART V

INTESTACY
Property in
16. – If a person dies without having left a will valid under section 6,
respect of
which there there shall be an intestacy in respect of the property to which he or she was
is intestacy
entitled at the date of his or her death:

Provided that if the deceased person left a will which does not

dispose of all his or her property there shall be an intestacy in respect of the property

which is not disposed of by will.

Principles of 17. – (1) Upon intestacy the persons entitled to inherit the intestate
fair
distribution of property shall be the members of the immediate family and dependants of
intestate
property to the intestate and their shares shall be ascertained upon the following
immediate
family and principles of fair distribution -
dependants

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(a) protection shall be provided for members of the immediate

family and dependants from hardship so far as the property

available for distribution can provide such protection;

(b) every spouse of the intestate shall be entitled to retain all the

household belongings which belong to his or her household;

(c) if any property shall remain after paragraphs (a) and (b) have

been complied with, the remaining property shall be divided

between the surviving spouse or spouses and the children of

the intestate;

(d) as between the surviving spouse or spouses and the children

of the intestate their shares shall be determined in accordance

with all the special circumstances including-

(i) any wishes expressed by the intestate in the presence

of reliable witnesses;

(ii) such assistance by way of education or other basic

necessities any of the spouses or children may have

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 received from the intestate during his or her lifetime;

and

(iii) any contribution made by the spouse or child of the intestate to the value of any

business or other property forming part of the estate of the intestate, and in this

regard the surviving spouse shall be considered to have contributed to the business

unless proof to the contrary is shown by or on behalf of the child,

but in the absence of special circumstances the spouses and

children shall, subject to subsection (3) be entitled to equal

shares;

(e) as among the children of the intestate, the age of each child

shall be taken into account with the younger child being

entitled to a greater share of the property than the older child

unless the interests of the children require otherwise; and

(f) in the absence of any spouse or child of the intestate the

property described in paragraph (c) shall be distributed

between the dependants of the intestate, if more than one, in

equal shares.

(2) If the intestate left more than one female spouse surviving him
each living in a different locality, each spouse and her children by the
intestate shall be entitled to a share of the property of the intestate in their
locality in accordance with this section; but such spouse and children shall

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 have no claim to any share of the property of the intestate in the locality
where another spouse lives:
Provided that this subsection shall not apply to the property of the intestate

of a value exceeding a small estate or institutional money or private land.

(3) If the intestate left more than one female spouse surviving him

all living in the same locality, each spouse and her children by the intestate
shall be entitled to a share of the property of the intestate proportionate to
their contribution.

(4) Re-marriage shall not deprive a surviving spouse of property inherited

under intestacy except in the case of property on customary land where title
in that property shall devolve to the children of the spouse by the intestate
upon the re-marriage of the surviving spouse.

Inheritance of
18. – In the absence of the beneficiaries to the estate of an intestate
intestate
property by referred to under section 17, the whole of such property comprising the
other relations
estate of the intestate shall be distributed as follows –
(a) the grandchildren of the intestate shall, if they survive the

intestate, be entitled in equal shares;

(b) if none of the persons referred to in paragraph (a) survive the

intestate, the brothers and sisters of the whole blood of the

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 intestate shall, if they survive the intestate, be entitled in equal

shares and failing any surviving brothers and sisters of the

whole blood of the intestate, the brothers and sisters of the half

blood of the intestate shall, if they survive the intestate, be

entitled in equal shares;

(c) if none of the persons referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b)

survive the intestate, the grandparents of the intestate shall, if

they survive the intestate, be entitled in equal shares;

(d) if none of the persons referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c)

survive the intestate, the uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces of

the intestate shall be entitled in equal shares;

(e) if none of the persons referred to in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and

(d) survive the intestate, other relatives who are in the nearest

degree of consanguinity shall, if they survive the intestate, be

entitled in equal shares; or

(f) if none of the persons referred to in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and

(d) survive the intestate, the Government shall be entitled to

take title in the property comprising the estate of the

intestate.
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 PART VI SURVIVORSHIP
Uncertainty 19. Where two or more persons have died in circumstances rendering it
regarding
survivorship uncertain which of them survived the other or others, such death shall,
subject to any order of a court, for all purposes affecting rights in, to or over

property, be presumed to have occurred in order of seniority in the age of the

deceased persons, and accordingly the younger shall be deemed to have

survived the elder.

PART VII

JURISDICTION OF COURTS AND POWERS OF CONSULAR OFFICERS

Jurisdiction 20. – (1) Subject to this section, the High Court shall have jurisdiction in
courts and
powers of all matters relating to the probate and the administration of estates of
consular
officers deceased persons, with power to grant probates of wills and letters of

administration to the estates of deceased persons and to alter or revoke such

grants.

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 (2) The High Court shall have jurisdiction to reseal grants of probate

and letters of administration made by a court of probate in any country.

(3) A court of a resident magistrate or a court of a magistrate of the

first grade shall exercise jurisdiction relating to the estate of a deceased

person which is a small estate to grant probate and letters of administration
in relation thereto.

(4) No act of a magistrate exercising jurisdiction under subsection

(3) shall be invalid because it is afterwards discovered that the gross value of

the estate exceeds the limit of a small estate but the magistrate shall report to

the High Court any such discovery of which he or she becomes aware.

(5) The High Court may direct that any proceedings under this Act

in a court of a resident magistrate or magistrate of the first grade are to be

removed to and continued in the High Court:

Provided that the High Court shall not give any direction under this
subsection unless it considers that it is necessary in the interests of justice or
for the protection of a beneficiary or creditor that the estate should be
administered under the supervision of the High Court.
(6) The High Court may authorize the payment to a personal

representative of remuneration for his or her services as such, to such extent

as, in all circumstances, appears reasonable:

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 Provided that nothing in this subsection shall be construed so as to

deprive an executor of remuneration to which he or she is entitled under the

provisions of a will.

Grants to 21. – (1) Where any national of a State to which this section applies–
Consular
Officers
(a) dies within Malawi; or

(b) dies outside Malawi leaving property within Malawi, and no

person is present in Malawi at the time of his or her death who

is rightfully entitled to administer the estate of such deceased

person, a consular officer of such State within Malawi may

take possession of the property of such deceased person, and

shall be entitled to obtain from the court letters of

administration of the property of such deceased person limited

in such manner as the court may deem fit.

(2) Where any person who is a national of a State to which this

section applies is a person to whom a grant of representation to the estate in

Malawi of a deceased person may be made, then, if the court is satisfied that

such national is not resident in Malawi, the court may, on the application of a

consular officer of that State, make to that consular officer such grant of

representation to the estate of the deceased as would be made to him or her if

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he or she were duly authorized by power of attorney to act for the person

entitled to the grant.

(3) Letters of administration granted to a consular officer shall be

granted to him or her in his or her official style and title and not in his or her

personal name, and the estate of the deceased shall vest in each successive

holder of the office during his or her continuance in office without any order

of court or instrument whatsoever.

(4) Where a person who is a national of a State to which this

section applies–

(a) is entitled to any money or other property in Malawi forming

part of the estate of a deceased person, or to receive payment

in Malawi of any money becoming due on the death of a

deceased person; or

(b) is among the persons to whom any money or other property of

a deceased person may under any written law be paid or

delivered without any grant of probate or other proof of title,

then, if that national is not resident in Malawi, a consular officer of that State

shall have the right and power to receive and give a valid discharge for any

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 such money or property as if he or she were duly authorized by power of

attorney to act for him in that behalf:

Provided that no person shall be authorized or required by this

subsection to pay or deliver any money or property to a consular officer if it

is within his or her knowledge that any other person in Malawi has been

expressly authorized to receive that money or property on behalf of such

national.

(5) Notwithstanding any rule of law conferring immunity or

privilege in respect of the official acts and documents of consular officers, a

consular officer shall not be entitled to any immunity or privilege in respect

of any act done by virtue of the powers conferred on him or her by or under

this section or in respect of any document for the time being in his or her

possession relating thereto.

Chief Justice 22. – (1) The Chief Justice may make Probate Rules-
to make
Probate Rules

regulating proceedings for the grant of probate and letters of

administration and other proceedings under this Act;

(b) for the procedure to be observed in relation to wills deposited

under section 8 and for the preservation, copying and

inspection of wills and grants of probate and administration;

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 (c) prescribing fees and forms; and

(d) generally in relation to matters of probate and letters of

administration.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), Probate Rules

may require a person to whom a grant of letters of administration is made to

give security for the due administration of the estate by a bond with one or

more sureties and for the furnishing of accounts to court.

(3) A bond for the due administration of an estate shall engage the parties
thereto to make payment to the Registrar or a resident magistrate or
magistrate of the first grade.

(4) Upon the application of any person beneficially interested in the

estate and upon being satisfied that the engagement of any such bond has not

been kept the Court may direct the Registrar to, or a resident magistrate or a

magistrate of the first grade shall, assign the bond to some proper person and

thereupon such person shall be entitled to sue on the bond in his or her own

name as if it had originally been given to him or her and not to the Registrar

or resident magistrate or magistrate of the first grade and to recover thereon,

as trustee for all persons interested, the full amount recoverable in respect of

any breach thereof.

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 PART VIII

PROTECTION OF ESTATES PENDING GRANT

Receiver pending 23. Where any person dies leaving property in Malawi, the court, may
grant
appoint such person as the court thinks fit to be a receiver of probate or
letters of administration, if it appears on the application of any person -
(a) claiming to be interested in such property;

(b) having custody or control thereof at the time of the death of

the deceased; or

(c) being at such time an attorney of the deceased,

that there is danger that such property may be wasted or may otherwise be dealt
with in contravention of this Act.

Sale by order 24. The court may, on application by a receiver of property appointed under
of
court section 23, or any person interested in the estate, order the sale of the whole
or any part of such property, if it appears that such sale will be beneficial to
the estate.

Suits against 25. A person aggrieved may bring a suit against a receiver appointed under
receiver
section 23 in relation to any thing done or intended to be done by him or her
in respect of the property of the deceased in the exercise or intended exercise
of the powers vested in him or her.
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Chief Justice to 26. The Chief Justice may make rules to guide the court in hearing an
make rules
for application to application for appointment of a receiver under section 23.
receiver

PART IX

RENUNCIATION BY EXECUTORS
Express 27. A person who is entitled to probate may expressly renounce such right
renunciation
of right to orally on the hearing of any application to the court or in writing signed by
probate
the person making the renunciation and attested by a person before whom an
affidavit may be sworn.

Citation and 28. – (1) A person claiming an interest in the estate of a deceased person
presumed
renunciation or a creditor of a deceased person may cause to be issued by the court a
citation directed to the executors appointed by the will of the deceased
calling upon them to accept or renounce their executorship.

(2) A person served with a citation may acknowledge service thereof, but if

he or she defaults on the terms of the acknowledgement of the service, he or

she shall be deemed to have renounced his or her executorship; and if,

having made such acknowledgement, he or she does not proceed to apply for

probate, the court may limit the time within which such application is to be

made and if the application for probate is not made within the time so limited

the executor in default shall be deemed to have renounced his or her right to
32
 probate and the court may appoint another person it deems fit to be the

executor of the estate.

Effect of 29. Renunciation under section 27 or 28 shall preclude the right of the renunciation

person so renouncing to probate but the court may at any time grant probate to such person
if it is shown that the grant is likely to benefit the estate or the persons interested therein.

PART X

GRANT OF PROBATE AND LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION BY THE COURT

Grants to 30. – (1) A corporation or company or trust corporation may be

corporations
granted probate or letters of administration either solely or jointly with

another person.

(2) Probate or letters of administration shall not be granted to a syndic or nominee

on behalf of a corporation or company.

Numbers of31. – (1) Probate or letters of administration shall not be granted to more
executors and
administrators than four persons in respect of the same property.

(2) In the case of a minority or life interest under a will or on

intestacy, probate or letters of administration shall, subject to the maximum

number specified in subsection (1), be granted to not less than two persons

33
 and a court shall appoint another person to act as a personal representative in

such cases if there is one person acting as such at any time.

Beneficiary may 32. Any beneficiary under a will or on intestacy may apply to the court
oppose
appointment of opposing the appointment of a personal representative under a will or on
personal
representative intestacy.

Grant of 33. – (1) Probate may be granted only to an executor appointed by the
probate
will, and shall not be granted to a minor or person of unsound mind.

(2) The appointment of an executor may be express or by

necessary implication.

(3) Where several executors are appointed, probate may be

granted to them simultaneously or at different times.

(4) If an executor is appointed by the will for a limited purpose only,

probate shall not be granted to him or her except limited to that purpose.

Estate duty 34. Every application for a grant of probate or letters of administration shall
affidavit
be accompanied by a copy of the estate duty affidavit and by a certificate

Cap.43:02 of the Secretary to the Estate Duty Commissioners under section 33 of the
EstateDuty Act.

34
Probate of copy, 35. – (1) Where a will has been lost or mislaid or has been destroyed by a
draft
or contents of wrong or an accident and not only by any act of the testator–
wills
(a) if a copy or draft of the will has been preserved, probate may

be granted of such copy or draft, limited until the original or a

properly authenticated copy of it is admitted to probate;

(b) if no such copy or draft has been preserved, probate, limited as

provided in paragraph (a), may be granted to the contents of

the will if they can be established by evidence.

(2) Where a will is in the possession of a person outside Malawi who

has refused or neglected to deliver it up, but a copy has been transmitted to
the executor, probate may, if the interests of the estate so require, be granted
of the copy so transmitted, limited as provided in paragraph (a).

Codicil 36. Where, after probate has been granted, a codicil of the will is
propounded
after probate propounded, probate may be granted of the codicil:

Provided that where the codicil expressly revokes the appointment of

any executor to whom probate has been granted, such probate shall be

revoked and a new probate granted of the will and codicil together.

Authenticated 37. Where a will has been proved and deposited in a court of competent
copy of will
proved abroad jurisdiction outside Malawi, and a properly authenticated copy of the will is
produced, probate may be granted of the authenticated copy of the will or

35
 letters of administration granted with a copy of the authenticated copy of the
will attached.

Effect of 38. – (1) Probate of a will when granted establishes the will and evidences
probate
the title of the executor from the death of the testator.

(2) Probate of a will shall also have the effects described in section

50.

Failure of
39. – (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), where–
executors

(a) no executor is appointed by a will;

(b) the executor or all the executors appointed by a will have

renounced, or are persons to whom probate may not be

granted;

(c) no executor survives the testator;

(d) all the executors die before obtaining probate or before

having administered all the estate of the deceased; or

(e) the executors appointed by any will do not appear and take out

probate,

36
letters of administration with the will annexed may be granted of the whole

estate or so much thereof as may be unadministered to such person or

persons as the court deems the fittest to administer the estate.

(2) A prior right to such grant shall belong to the following persons

in the following order–

(a) a universal or residuary legatee;

(b) a personal representative of a deceased universal or residuary

legatee;

(c) such person or persons, being beneficiaries under the will, as

would have been entitled to a grant of letters of

administration if the deceased had died intestate;

(d) a legatee having a beneficial interest;

(e) a creditor of the deceased; and

(f) the Administrator General as the public trustee.
(3) A court shall not grant letters of administration with the will

annexed in respect of a will by which an executor is appointed, if the

executor–

37
 (a) is living and his or her whereabouts are known; and

(b) is a person to whom probate may be granted; and

(c) has not renounced his or her office,

unless and until a citation has been issued calling upon the executor to
accept or renounce his or her office and the executor has renounced or has
been deemed to have renounced his or her office in accordance with sections
27 and 28.

Attorney of 40. Where any executor is absent from Malawi, and there is no other
absent
executor executor within Malawi willing to act, letters of administration with the will
annexed may be granted to a lawfully constituted attorney, ordinarily

resident within Malawi, of the absent executor, limited until the absent

executor obtains probate for himself or herself, and in the meantime to any

purpose to which the attorney’s authority is limited.

Attorney of41. Where any person, to whom letters of administration might be granted
person entitled
to letters of under section 39, is absent from Malawi, letters of administration with the
administration
will annexed may be granted to his lawfully constituted attorney ordinarily

resident in Malawi, limited in the manner provided in section 40.

38
 Codicil 42. The provisions of section 36 shall apply in the case of a grant of letters
propounded
after letters of of administration with the will annexed in like manner as they apply in the
administration granted case of a grant of
probate.

Letters of 43. – (1) Where the deceased has died intestate, letters of administration of
administration
on intestacy his or her estate may be granted to any person who, under sections 17 or

18, would be entitled to the whole or any part of such deceased’s estate.

(2) Where more than one person applies for letters of administration,

it shall be in the discretion of the court to make a grant to any one or more of

them, and in the exercise of its discretion the court shall take into account

greater and immediate interests in the deceased’s estate in priority to lesser

or more remote interests.

(3) Where no person as mentioned in subsection (1) applies for

letters of administration, letters of administration may be granted to a

creditor of the deceased.

(4) Where it appears to the court to be necessary or convenient to appoint

some person to administer the estate or any part thereof other than the
person who under ordinary circumstances would be entitled to a grant of
letters of administration, the court may, in its discretion, having regard to
consanguinity, amount of interest, the safety of the estate and probability
that it will be properly administered, appoint such person as it thinks fit to be
administrator; and in every such case letters of administration may be
limited or not as the court thinks fit.
39
Attorney of 44. Where a person entitled to letters of administration in the case of an
person
entitled to intestacy is absent from Malawi, and no person equally entitled is willing to
administration
act, letters of administration may be granted to a lawfully constituted
attorney, ordinarily resident in Malawi, of such person, limited until such
person obtains letters of administration himself or herself and in the
meantime to any purpose to which the attorney’s authority is limited.

Letters of 45. When no will of the deceased is forthcoming, but there is reason to
administration
pending believe that there is a will in existence, letters of administration may be
production
of will granted, limited until the will or an authenticated copy thereof is produced.

Pending 46. Pending the determination of any proceedings touching the validity of
litigation
the will of a deceased person or for obtaining or revoking any probate or any

grant of letters of administration, the court may appoint an administrator of

the estate of such deceased person, who shall have all the rights and powers

of a general administrator other than the right of distributing such estate, and

every such administrator shall be subject to the immediate control of the

court and shall act under its discretion.

Trust 47. Where a person dies, leaving property of which he or she was the sole
40
 property
surviving trustee, or in which he or she had no beneficial interest on his or

her own account, and leaves no general representative, or one who is unable

or unwilling to act as such, letters of administration, limited to such

property, may be granted to the beneficiary, or to some other person on his

or her behalf.

Grants with 48. Whenever the nature of the case requires that an exception be made,
exception probate or letters of administration with or without the will annexed shall be
granted subject to such exception.

Grants of 49. Whenever a grant with exception of probate or letters of administration

excepted
part with or without the will annexed has been made, further grant may be made
of the part of the estate so excepted.

Effect of 50. – (1) Subject to all such limitations and exceptions contained therein grant of
letters of and, where the grant is made for a special purpose, for that purpose only,
administration
or probate letters of administration entitle the administrator to all rights belonging to

the deceased as if the letters of administration had been granted at the

moment of his or her death:

41
 Provided that letters of administration shall not render valid any

intermediate acts of the administrator tending to the diminution or damage of

an intestate’s estate.

(2) Probate and, subject to subsection (1), letters of administration

have effect over all the inheritable property of the deceased throughout

Malawi and–

(a) shall be conclusive against all debtors of the deceased and all

persons holding inheritable property of the deceased;

(b) afford full indemnity to all debtors paying their debts, and all

persons delivering up such property to the person to whom

such probate or letters of administration shall have been

granted.

Death of one 51. Subject to section 31, where probate or letters of administration have of
several
personal been granted to more than one executor or administrator and one of them
representatives
dies, the representation of the estate to be administered shall, in the absence
of any direction in the will or grant, accrue to the surviving executor or
administrator.

42
Death of sole or 52. Subject to section 31, on the death of a sole or sole surviving executor
surviving
personal who has proved the will or of a sole or sole surviving administrator, letters
representatives of administration may be granted in respect of that part of the estate not fully

administered, and in granting such letters of administration the court shall

apply the same provisions as apply to original grants:

Provided that where one or more executors have proved the will or

where letters of administration with the will annexed have been issued, the

court may grant letters of administration under this section without citing an

executor who has not proved the will.

Expiry of limited 53. When a limited grant has expired by lapse of time, or the happening
grant
when estate not of the event of contingency on which it was limited and there is still some
fully
administered part of the deceased’s estate unadministered, letters of administration may
be granted to those persons to whom original grants might have been made.

PART XI

REVOCATION AND ALTERATION OF GRANTS AND REMOVAL OF

EXECUTOR AND ADMINISTRATOR

Rectification of 54. Errors in names and descriptions, or in setting forth the time and place
errors
of the deceased’s death, or in specifying the purpose in a limited grant, may

be rectified by the court, and the grant of probate or letters of administration

may be altered and amended accordingly.

43
Revocation of55. – (1) The grant of probate and letters of administration may be
grants and
removal of revoked or annulled for any of the following reasons–
executors, etc.

that the proceedings to obtain the grant were defective in

(a)
substance;

that the grant was obtained fraudulently by making a false

(b)
suggestion, or by concealing from the court something

material to the case;

(c) that the grant was obtained by means of an untrue allegation of

a fact essential in point of law to justify the grant, though such
allegation was made in ignorance or inadvertently;

(d) that the grant has become useless and inoperative;

(e) that the person to whom the grant was made has without

reasonable cause omitted to furnish an account of his or her

administration after having been lawfully called upon to do so

or has prepared an account which is untrue in a material

respect.

44
 (2) Where it is satisfied that the due and proper administration of the
estate and the interests of the persons beneficially entitled thereto so require,
the court may suspend or remove an executor or administrator and provide
for the succession of another person to the office of such executor or
administrator who may cease to hold office, and for the vesting in such
person of any property belonging to the estate.

Payments by 56. – (1) Where any probate is, or letters of administration are, revoked,
or to
representatives all payments made in good faith to any executor or administrator under
whose grants
are revoked such probate or administration before the revocation thereof shall,
notwithstanding such revocation, be a legal discharge to the person making the
same.

(2) The executor or administrator who shall have acted under any such

revoked probate or administration may retain and reimburse himself or

herself out of the assets of the deceased in respect of any payments made by

him or her which the person to whom probate or letters of administration

shall be afterwards granted might have lawfully made.

Surrender of 57. – (1) When a grant of probate or letters of administration is revoked

revoked
grants under this Act, the person to whom the grant was made shall forthwith deliver
up the probate or letters to the court which made the grant; and if

(2) the person wilfully and without sufficient cause omits so to

deliver up the probate or letters, he or she shall be guilty of an offence and

liable to a fine of K50,000 and to imprisonment for three months.

45
 PART XII

RE-SEALING

Sealing of certain 58. – (1) Where a court of probate has, before or after this Act, granted
grants
made outside probate or letters of administration to the estate of a deceased person, the
Malawi
court–

(a) upon production of– (i) the

grant so made;

(ii) a duplicate sealed with the seal of the court which made

the grant; or

(iii) a copy certified by or under the authority of the court of

probate which made the grant; and
(b) upon the deposit of a copy of the grant,

may seal with the seal of the court the document so produced and deposited

and thereupon the grant so made outside Malawi shall be of the like force

and effect and have the same operation in Malawi as if granted by the court.

(2) Probate Rules may prescribe the security to be given and evidence

of domicile to be furnished in relation to any application for sealing under

subsection (1).

PART XIII
46
 SMALL ESTATES

Application 59. This Part shall apply only to small estates except as may be otherwise
expressly provided.

Exercise of 60. – (1) Parts VIII, IX, X and XII shall not apply to the exercise by a
jurisdiction
by magistrate court of resident magistrate or a court of a magistrate of the first grade of
courts
jurisdiction under this Act, but instead this Part shall apply.

(2) Part XI shall apply to a court of resident magistrate or a court of a

magistrate of the first grade as though an administration grant made by such

court was a grant of probate or of letters of administration.

Relatives 61. − (1) Where all the members of immediate family and dependants of a
may agree
between deceased person who are not minors agree on the manner of distribution
themselves
and administration of a small estate they may proceed in accordance with

such agreement:

Provided that–

(a) this section shall not apply to the distribution or

administration of private land or institutional money;

(b) no such agreement shall prevent a court from exercising its

jurisdiction under this Act;

47
 (c) upon an application to a court relating to such estate the rights
of the persons entitled to any share or interest in the estate

shall be the rights and interests provided for in this Act

notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary.

(2) Where none of the members of the immediate family and

dependants of a deceased person who are not minors is not available to

proceed in accordance with subsection (1), persons comprising the next

degree of consanguinity of the relations of the deceased person as outlined

under section 17, who are not minors and survive the deceased, may agree on

the manner of distribution and administration of the small estate subject to

the proviso in subsection (1).

Private land 62. Where a small estate includes private land, no dealing with such land
shall, subject to Part VIII, be lawful until an administration grant has been
made in respect of the estate under section 65.

Institutional 63. – (1) Where upon the death of a person, institutional money is payable
money
to the personal representatives or to members of the immediate family or to

dependants of that person or to any person, such institutional money shall be

dealt with in accordance with this section.

Where subsection (1) applies –

48
(a) the personal representatives or a member of the immediate

family or a dependant of the deceased or any person in

possession of evidence that institutional money is payable may

report the death of the deaceased to the District Commissioner

of the district which the deceased claimed to be or was known

to be the deceased’s district of origin or where the deceased

ordinarily resided prior to his or her death, and on making such

report, shall deposit with the

District Commissioner the evidence that institutional money

is payable together with a death certificate or other suitable

evidence of the death;

(b) in the event that there is more than one District Commissioner

as referred to in paragraph (a) they each receive a report of the

death of a person, the District Commissioners shall decide,

giving due weight to the wishes of the members of the

immediate family, or failing agreement among such members,

of the most senior member of the immediate family, which of

the District Commissioners shall proceed under this section

and if the District Commissioners fail so to decide, the District

Commissioner preferred by the members of the immediate

family or, where applicable by the most senior member of the

immediate family shall have the

49
 authority to proceed under this section;

(c) the District Commissioner shall thereupon verify the amount

of the institutional money and shall cause enquiries to be made

whether or not such money is disposed of by any will made by

the deceased;

(d) where it appears to the District Commissioner that the

institutional money may have been disposed of by a valid will

he or she shall take no further action except to advise the

persons concerned to apply for an administration grant under

section 65;

(e) where it appears to the District Commissioner that the

institutional money is not disposed of by a valid will, he or she

shall refer the matter to court and shall request the court to

certify the beneficiaries of the institutional money and their

shares and the creditors of the deceased;

(f) in the reference under paragraph (e), the

District

Commissioner shall set out the facts of the case to the best of

his or her knowledge or information;

50
 (g) upon receipt of the reference under paragraph (e), the court

shall certify who are the beneficiaries or creditors of the

deceased and their shares and shall forward the certificate to

the District Commissioner who made the reference;

(h) upon receipt of a certificate issued under paragraph (g) and a

request for payment by a District Commissioner, the holder of

or a person liable to pay, the institutional money shall within

ninety days from the date of the request send to the District

Commissioner a separate cheque payable to each of the

persons shown in the certificate for the amount shown therein

to be payable to him or her:

Provided that in the case of any person shown to be a minor

the cheque shall be made payable to the Government and the District

Commissioner shall open a separate deposit account for every such

minor and shall deposit therein the amount due to the minor.

(3) The receipt of a District Commissioner for a sum paid to the

District Commissioner under subsection (2) by the holder of, or by a person

liable to pay institutional money shall be a good discharge to the person

paying the money for the sum so paid.

51
 (4) Money held by a District Commissioner under a deposit

account on behalf of a minor under subsection (2) may be applied for the

benefit of such minor by the District Commissioner deems fit.

(5) Where subsection (1) applies and institutional money is

disposed of by will, payment may be made to the personal representative of

the deceased.

(6) Where institutional money is due under a contract of

employment, a policy of insurance or assurance, a provident fund, the
employer, insurer or administrator of a provident fund shall, if it appears that
the institutional money is not disposed of by a valid will, refer the matter to
court, setting out the facts as known according to available information and
shall request the court to certify the beneficiaries and their shares and the
creditors of the deceased, and the certificate of the court shall be authority
for the employer, insurer or administrator of a provident fund to make
payments to the beneficiaries and the creditors.

Production to 64. – (1) Where a person dies having left a will–

court of a will
or
certified copy (a) if the will has been deposited with any person under section 8
and Court to
which and a court to which an application is made under subsection
application
may be made (4) so requests, or if a court to which an original will is
for a grant produced sends the will to the Registrar , the Registrar shall

send to the court making the request or sending the original

will two certified copies of the will;

(b) in any other case the person in possession of the will shall produce

the original will to a court to which an application may be

52
 made under subsection (4) and may apply to such court for an

administration grant.

(2) Any person with whom a will is deposited under section 8

shall, on request of the court, forward the will to the court.

(3) Where an original will is produced to a court under subsection

(1) (b), the court shall make a copy thereof and issue written notices under

section 65.

(4) A person who has verified the fact that a deceased person left a

will which is deposited for safety under section 8 may apply to-

(a) the court nominated by the will;

(b) the court having jurisdiction in the area in which the deceased

ordinarily resided prior to his or her death;

(c) the court having jurisdiction in the are in which private land

belonging to the estate is situated;

(d) such other court as may be prescribed,

for a certified copy of the will to be produced to the court, and for an

administration grant.
53
Administration
grant 65. – (1) Any person interested in a small estate as executor of a will,

beneficiary or, under a will or intestacy, creditor of an estate, may apply to a

court for an administration grant in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2) Before hearing any application under subsection (1), the court

shall, by notice, require the members of the immediate family and the

persons, if any, named in the will, if any, as executors to attend before the

court for the hearing of the application on a date and at a time specified in

the notice, which date shall not be less than thirty days and not more than

sixty days from the date of service of the notice.

Effect of 66. Subject to section 63, an administration grant entitles the administrator
administration
Grant to all the inheritable property of the deceased with effect from the date of the
death of the deceased.

Death or67. If a person to whom an administration grant has been made dies or
disability of
personal becomes unable by reason of illness, whether physical or mental, or any
representative
other cause to carry out his or her duties before the estate has been fully
administered, the other persons to whom the grant was made, if more than
one, shall be entitled to continue and complete the administration:

Provided that on the application of any interested person the court may and,
if there is only one remaining administrator, shall appoint another
administrator.
54
Guardians 68. – (1) Where it is known to a court that a guardian of a minor has been
appointed by a will, the court shall not appoint any other person to be
guardian of that minor except in exercise of its powers under section 73.

(2) A court may direct the transfer to, or the vesting in, the guardian of a
minor of any property of the minor and may authorize or direct the sale of
the property of a minor or any part thereof.

(3) A guardian appointed by a will or under this Act shall be entitled to

represent the interests of the minor in any proceedings in court relating to
the administration of the estate in which the minor has a share.

Duties and 69. – (1) The duties of every administrator and executor, where applicable
powers of
administrator and shall be–
executor
(a) to pay the debts and funeral expenses of the deceased and to

pay estate duty if estate duty is payable;

(b) if the deceased left a valid will, to distribute the property

disposed of by the will in accordance with the provision

thereof or of an order of court under section 15;

55
 (c) in respect of intestate property, to effect a distribution thereof

in accordance with the rights of the persons interested therein

under this Act.

(2) Where a sale of any of the property forming part of the estate

of a deceased person is necessary or desirable in order to carry out the duties

outlined in subsection (1) the administrators shall have power to sell such

property in such manner as appears likely to secure receipt of the best price

available for such property.

(3) Where the value of the property to which a person was entitled

at the date of his or her death is less than the limit of a small estate, an

administrator of his or her estate shall not be deemed to be an executor

Cap.43:02 within the meaning of the Estate Duty Act.

Expenditure on 70. An administrator or guardian may incur expenditure on such acts as

care and
management may be necessary for the proper care and management of any property
belonging to the estate of a deceased person or to a minor.

Administrator or 71. – (1) Unless there is express provision to that effect in the will, no
guardian
not to derive administrator or guardian shall derive any pecuniary benefit from his or her
benefit office.

56
 (2) If an administrator or guardian purchases, either directly or indirectly,
any part of the property of the deceased or of a minor for whom he or she is
responsible, the sale may be set aside by the court on the application made
within a reasonable time of any other person interested in the property sold
or in the proceeds of sale.

Exercise of 72. – (1) Where there are several administrators, the powers of all may, in
powers of
several the absence of any direction to the contrary in the will or administration
administrators grant, be exercised by the majority of
them.

(2) Where there are only two administrators, the court shall have

power on the application by either or both of the two administrators, to appoint

one more administrator to act generally or in respect of a particular matter in

question.

Disputes 73. (1) On the application in the prescribed manner by an interested person, a

court shall have jurisdiction, where there is a dispute, in relation to a deceased

person’s estate –

to decide whether a document purporting to be a will is a valid will

and whether the deceased person died testate or intestate;

57
to decide what is the property to which the deceased person was

entitled at the date of his or her death;

to decide if any person is or is not entitled as a beneficiary of the

estate;

to decide how the distribution of the property forming part of the

deceased person’s estate should be carried out;

to order the sale or other disposition of property belonging to a

deceased person’s estate for the purpose of paying the debts

of the deceased or for the purposes of distribution;

to appoint a guardian in place of a guardian who has acted

improperly;

to decide whether an administrator or the person administering the

property of a deceased person by agreement under section 61

has failed to carry out any of his or her duties and to order

payment of compensation by such administrator or other

person to a person who has suffered injury as a result of such

failure; and

58
 to decide any other matter in dispute which the court considers to be

competent for its jurisdiction.

(2) In the determination of a dispute under subsection 1 (g), the court

shall be guided by the following principles-

(a) that no order for compensation shall be made if the injury had

come to the knowledge of the injured person, not being a minor,

more than two years before the application relating thereto was

made to the court;

(b) that in case the injured person was a minor an application for

compensation for injury suffered may be made within two

years after–

(i) he or she ceased to be a minor; or

(ii) the date when the injury came to his or her
knowledge,

whichever is later in time.

Offences by 74. – (1) An administrator or guardian who wrongfully deprives a minor

administrators
and guardians of property or a share in property to which the minor is entitled intending

thereby to benefit such administrator or guardian or any other person shall

be guilty of an offence or liable to a fine of K100,000 and to imprisonment

59
 for three years.

(2) A court shall order restitution of property or otherwise in favour of the

minor against the administrator or guardian found guilty under this section.

Subsequent 75. (1) No act of a court exercising jurisdiction under this Part or of an
discovery that
estate dealt as administrator to whom an administration grant has been made shall be with
small
estate exceedsinvalid because it is afterwards discovered that the gross value of the estate
limit of
small estate in relation to which the act was done exceeds the value of a small estate.

(2) Every administrator of an estate appointed under this Part who

discovers that the gross value of estate exceeds the value of a small estate

shall immediately report the discovery to the court by which he or she was

appointed and to the Secretary to the Commissioners of Estate Duty, stating

what he or she now considers the gross value of the estate to have been at the

death of the deceased and the reason for the lateness of the discovery.

(3) The presiding officer of a court who discovers that the gross
value of an estate, which has been the subject of the proceedings in the court
is believed to exceed the value of a small estate or who receives a report
under subsection (2) shall, after such further inquiry, if any, as he or she
deems appropriate, report the matter to the High Court and to the Secretary
to the Commissioners of Estate Duty; and such report shall set out briefly the
circumstances of the estate and shall contain a recommendation whether
further proceedings in court relating to the estate should be continued in the
High Court or the original court.

(4) After making a report under subsection (3), the presiding officer

of the court shall not exercise jurisdiction under this Part without the written
60
 directions of the High Court and shall do so subject to such directions as the

High Court may consider it appropriate.

Chief Justice to 76. – The Chief Justice may make rules prescribing the procedure to be
make
rules on small observed in respect of applications relating to small estates, the forms to be
estate
used and the fees to be paid and all other matters arising under this Part.

PART XIV
GENERAL

Preservation of 77. – (1) The original of every will of which probate is granted or in
wills and
register of respect of which a grant of letters of administration with a certified copy of
wills
the will annexed or an administration grant with a certified copy of the will

annexed is made under this Act shall be deposited and preserved in the

registry of the court that made the grant, but it may, if the court so

determines, be transmitted for such preservation to a registry of the High

Court.

(2) A court shall maintain a register of all wills deposited with it and

61
 may at any time furnish a certified copy thereof to any person.

(3) Subject to the control of the court and to the provisions of the

Deceased Estates (Wills, Inheritance and Protection) (Deposit of Wills)

Rules, a will deposited with a court shall be open to inspection.

Court’s 78. – (1) A court shall not be bound to grant any application under this
discretion in
matters of probateAct for a grant of probate or letters of administration but may exercise
or
letters of its discretion in relation thereto.
administration

(2) If an application for a grant of probate or letters of administration

is refused the court shall state the reason for refusal within a reasonable time

not being more than a period of thirty days failing which the application

shall be deemed granted by that court and the court shall proceed to effect

the grant unless the interests of justice require otherwise.

Payment of salary79. – (1) Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of this Act, where a
or
wages by person was employed at the date of his or her death, his or her employer
employers
shall immediately pay directly to the surviving spouse or in the absence of a
surviving spouse to the senior and responsible member of the deceased
person’s family known to be living with him or her, the amount due to his or
her estate in respect of salary, wages, allowances or arrears for the pay
period interrupted by his or her death and, if still unpaid, the immediately
prior pay period and the payment to such surviving spouse or other member
of his or her family shall be a good discharge to the employer for the amount
so paid and the recipient of the amount shall, if required, account to the
personal representative of the deceased for the expenditure thereof.

62
 (2) The person to whom money is paid under subsection (1) may

apply the money for the purpose of paying normal household expenses of the

family of the deceased or family expenses in relation to the funeral of the

deceased.

Sane murderer 80. – (1) Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of this Act, a person
not to benefit
from estate of who, while sane, murders another person, shall not be entitled, directly or
victims

indirectly, to any share in the estate of the murdered person and the

beneficiaries to the estate of the murdered person shall be ascertained as

though the person who murdered the other had never been born.

(2) For the purposes of this section the conviction of a person of a

crime of murder shall be sufficient evidence of the fact that the person convicted

committed the murder unless the contrary is proved.

(3) Subject to subsections (1) and (2), the benefit under a will or on
intestacy accruing to a person charged with the murder of testator or intestate
shall be held upon trust as directed by the court and upon his or her conviction
the proceeds from the trust shall be applied as the court may deem appropriate.

63
Application of 81. – (1) The Trustee Act shall apply to personal representatives of small
Trustee Act
Cap.5:02 estates as it applies to all other personal representatives in respect of deceased
estates.

(2) A personal representative shall have all the powers of

investment of trustees and Part II of the Trustee Act shall apply in relation to

investments made or retained by a personal representative.

(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to derogate

from the generality of the provisions of the Trustee Act.

Proof of claims 82. – (1) When a personal representative has received a notice from a
claimant in respect of an estate or property which he or she wishes to

distribute, he or she may, by a notice in writing served personally or by post,

require the claimant prior to a date to be named in such notice, which shall

not be less than sixty days from the service of such notice, either to institute

proceedings to establish the claim or otherwise to satisfy the personal

representative of the validity of the claim by affidavit.

(2) At the expiry of the time mentioned in the notice, the personal

representative shall be at liberty to distribute the estate or property to which

the notice relates amongst the parties entitled thereto without having regard
64
 to the claims of persons who shall have been served with such notice but

shall have failed to comply with the requirements thereof and the personal

representative shall not be liable to any such person for the estate or property

so distributed.

(3) Nothing in this section shall prejudice the right of any claimant

to trace the property or any property representing the property being claimed

into the hands of any person, other than a bona fide purchaser of the legal

estate in the property for value without notice, who may have received it.

Payments to 83. Where a personal representative in Malawi has been granted probate or
representatives
in country of letters of administration to the estate in Malawi of any person who was at
domicile
the time of his or her death domiciled outside Malawi and probate of whose
will or letters of administration of whose estate or equivalent grant in the
place of such domicile has been granted to some other person, the personal
representative may pay over to such other person the balance of the estate in
Malawi after payment of proved debts and funeral and administration
expenses without seeing to the application of such balance and without
incurring any liability in regard to such payment.

Unlawful 84. – (1) Any person not being entitled thereto under a will or upon any
possession,
etc. of deceased intestacy who, in contravention of the will or of this Act, takes possession
estate of, grabs, seizes, diverts or in any manner deals in, or disposes of, any

65
 property forming part of the estate of a deceased person, or does anything, in

relation to such property, which occasions or causes or is likely to occasion

or cause deprivation or any form of hardship to a person who is entitled

thereto under the will or upon the intestacy, shall be guilty of an offence and

liable to a fine of K1,000,000 and to imprisonment for ten years and in

addition to such sentence, the court shall make an order directing that-

(a) the property or the monetary value thereof be immediately

restored to the person or persons lawfully entitled thereto or to

the estate of the deceased person; and

(b) the whole, or such part as the court shall specify in the order,
of the fine imposed be paid to the person or persons entitled or
into the estate of the deceased person.

(2) subject to any other written law in relation to spent convictions, a

person found guilty under this section shall not qualify as an administrator or

guardian in relation to an estate of a deceased person in Malawi.

Special public 85. – (1) For purposes of effective enforcement of the offence under
prosecutors
section 84 at all levels of society and throughout Malawi, the Director of

Public Prosecutions shall, by notice in the Gazette, appoint such persons as

he or she considers to be fit and proper to act as special public prosecutors of

offences under that section within such area as he or she shall specify in such

66
notice, and not less than two persons shall be appointed in respect of one

area.

(2) Persons to be appointed as special public prosecutors shall –

(a) be persons permanently residing in the areas in respect of

which they are appointed and who are publicly regarded in

those areas as persons who can make impartial judgments;

(b) be nominated by the relevant District Commissioner after he

or she has consulted–

(i) the Traditional Authority of the area concerned; or

(ii) if the area concerned is not served by a Traditional

Authority, such persons as he or she reasonably considers

to be reputable leaders of the community in that area,

and the Director of Public Prosecutions shall not proceed to appoint any

person as a special public prosecutor unless he or she is satisfied that such

consultation has been made in respect of that person.

(3) No person shall be appointed a special public prosecutor except with

his or her consent given in writing and on his or her understanding and

67
acknowledgement, expressed in writing, that his or her work as a special

public prosecutors shall be voluntary:

Provided, however, that the person so appointed shall be paid such

allowance as shall be approved by the Minister responsible for finance and

which shall be set at levels that reflect the voluntary nature of the work of a

special public prosecutor.

(4) Persons appointed as special public prosecutor shall have powers–

(a) to receive allegations of commission, or of the likelihood of

commission, of offences under section 84;

(b) on their own motion or upon any allegation so received, to

monitor and investigate the commission of any offence under

section 84;

to secure the property which is the subject of the alleged offence or of

an imminent commission of an offence under section 84; but

without prejudice to rights of enjoyment of the property by

those entitled thereto or to the authority of the administrators

of the property appointed under a will or the authority of the

Administrator General to exercise his or her powers or

68
 perform his or her functions in relation to such property under

any law;

to prepare a record of their findings;

based on their findings, to bring before any court of a magistrate

within their respective areas charges against any person

alleged to commit or to have committed an offence under

section 84 and to conduct the prosecution before the court.

(5) For the purposes of conducting prosecutors

pursuant to this section, every special public prosecutor shall–

(a) if not already appointed in the public service, be deemed to be

a person employed in the public service;

(b) be deemed to act as a subordinate to the Director of Public

Prosecutions; and

(c) be under the general or special directions of the Director of

Public Prosecutions.

69
 (6) The Director of Public Prosecutions may from

time to time issue practice directions for the guidance of the

special public prosecutors on Cap. 8:01 procedures

according to the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code and

may, by such practice directions, also prescribe any other matter relating to

the conduct of prosecutions, including but not limited to–

(a) the law under this Act;

(b) techniques of investigating offences;

(c) the form and preparation of charge sheets;

(d) the manner of keeping records; and

(e) the manner of making returns to the office of the Director of

Public Prosecutions.

(7) Any court of a magistrate in the area assigned to

a special public prosecutor shall be competent to try an

offence under section 84 committed within that area.

(8) A special public prosecutor shall refrain and

desist from exercising his or her powers and duties under this

section in respect of the property of a deceased person if he or

she has an interest in the property or is a relative of the

deceased person.
70
 (9) A special public prosecutor shall not be liable to

any person whosoever for damages, compensation, costs or

other civil claim in respect of anything done or purported to be

done by him or her in good faith under this Act.

(10) For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this

section shall be construed as to preclude the conduct of
prosecution of any offence under section 84 directly by the
Director of Public Prosecutions or by an officer subordinate to
the Director of Public Prosecutions or by a police officer in
exercise of the powers of his or her office.

Civic 86. The Minister responsible for matters of gender and community affairs
awareness
shall have power to design and implement programmes for the civic
awareness of the law under this Act and, for that purpose–

(a)

that Minister shall enlist the services of chiefs and other

traditional authorities and the services of non-governmental
organizations in disseminating information, and in the conduct
of any other activities, connected with such programmes;

71
 (b) there shall be appointed in the public service such officers as
shall be required to carry out activities for the implementation
of such programmes.

Repeal 87. The Wills and Inheritance Act is hereby repealed.

Transitional 88. An application to the court for probate, letters of administration or
resealing made before the coming into operation of this Act may be
continued as though the application had been made under this Act.

Saving 89. Except as expressly provided, nothing in this Act shall be deemed to
affect the rights and duties of personal representatives or the law relating to
the administration of estates.

Regulations 90. The Minister may make regulations for the better carrying out of this
Act.

72
 SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION
DECEASED ESTATES (WILLS, INHERITANCE AND PROTECTION)

(DEPOSIT OF WILLS) RULES

under s. 22

ARRANGEMENT OF RULES

RULES

1. Citation

2. Deposit of wills for safe custody

3. Monthly circular

4. Action to be taken on notification of testator’s death

5. Secrecy

6. Fees

Citation 1. These Rules may be cited as the Deceased Estates (Wills, Inheritance and

Protection) (Deposit of Wills) Rules.

Deposit of 2. – (1) A testator who wishes to deposit his or her will for custody under wills
for
safe custody section 8 of the Act with the Registrar or a District Commissioner or a

73
subordinate court shall deliver it to the Registrar or District Commissioner or

a magistrate of a particular subordinate court in a sealed envelope bearing on

the outside all the known names of the testator, together with the prescribed

fee and the Registrar or District Commissioner or magistrate shall assign to

each will and mark on the envelope a serial number and shall give the

depositor a receipt bearing the serial number assigned to the will in Form I in

the Schedule.

(2) The Registrar, every District Commissioner and every

magistrate shall maintain an index of all known names of the testators whose

wills are deposited with him or her and the date on which each will was so

deposited and the serial number of the will and the index shall be in Form I

in the Schedule and the serial numbers used by a District Commissioner or

magistrate shall be such as are assigned by the Registrar.

(3) All wills so deposited shall be kept by the Registrar or District

Commissioner or magistrate in a safe place until the death of the maker

thereof, unless re-delivery is demanded and the receipt issued under subrule

(1) is produced by the testator in person in his or her lifetime, or if he or she

should be unable to attend in person, by his or her agent specifically

authorised for that purpose.

74
 (4) When a will is re-delivered in the manner provided for under

subsection (3), the testator or his or her agent shall sign a receipt for the will.

(5) The Registrar or District Commissioner or magistrate may

require such proof of the authority of any person claiming to be the agent of

a testator as he or she shall deem appropriate, and may dispense with the

production of his or her receipt for the will if he or she is satisfied that there

is good reason for its non-production and that the application is genuine.

Monthly 3. – (1) The Registrar or District Commissioner or magistrate within

circular

fourteen days after any month during which a will was deposited with him

or her or withdrawn from him or her, prepare a circular in Form II in the

Schedule indicating the wills deposited and withdrawn during that month.

(2) The circular will indicate the serial number of the will, whether

the will was deposited or withdrawn, the name of the testator, his or her village, his
or her chief and his or her home District Commissioner.

(3) Upon receipt of each circular, each District Commissioner

shall note in his or her index the deposit or withdrawal of a will by a resident

of his or her District, and, in the case of a deposit, the place where it is

deposited.

(4) The information contained in such monthly circulars may not

be disclosed to any person except for the purposes of these Rules.

75
Action to be taken4. – (1) Where an application for probate or letters of administration with
on
notification of will annexed is made to the Registrar or resident magistrate or magistrate of
testator’s
death the first grade and he or she is informed that the original of the testator’s
will is deposited with a District Commissioner or magistrate, the Registrar or

resident magistrate or magistrate of the first grade shall, on being satisfied of

the death of the deceased, request the District Commissioner or magistrate

with whom the will is deposited to forward the original will to him or her.

(2) If a District Commissioner with whom a testator’s will is

deposited is informed by a court that the court is satisfied of the death of the

testator, the District Commissioner shall forward the original of the testator’s

will in its sealed envelope to the Registrar or resident magistrate or

magistrate of the first grade.

(3) On receipt of the original will, the Registrar or resident

magistrate or magistrate of the first grade shall break the seal on the

envelope and if the estate appears to be a small estate, shall cause two

photostat copies of the will to be made and shall send such copies to the

District Commissioner, who shall forward them to the court of the resident

magistrate or magistrate of the first grade concerned, with a note of the

amount of the fees due in respect of the making of such copies.

76
Secrecy 5. – (1) No information concerning a will deposited for custody may be

given to any person except to the Registrar, another District Commissioner,

resident magistrate or a magistrate of the first grade in accordance with these

Rules or the Deceased Estates (Wills, Inheritance and Protection) (Small

Estates) Rules and the envelope containing the original will may not, so long

as the will is in custody, be opened by any person except by the Registrar or

resident magistrate or magistrate of the first grade when informed of the

death of the testator.

(2) Any person who discloses any information relating to the will

otherwise than in accordance with these Rules or the Deceased Estates

(Wills, Inheritance and Protection) (Small Estates) Rules shall be guilty of an

office and liable to a fine of K2,000 and imprisonment for three months.

Fees 6. – (1) The fee payable on the deposit of a will under rule 2 shall be

K200 and such fee shall not, under any circumstances, be refunded.

(2) When any will is withdrawn pursuant to rule 2 (3) and the same or

another will is re-deposited by the same testator, a fresh fee of K200 shall be

paid.

77
 SCHEDULE rr. 2 and 3
FORM I
WILLS DEPOSITED FOR CUSTODY

Index Receipt

Name of Maker
and Address 000001
Serial Number ………………
………………………………………………………………………….
A packet said to
000001 ………………………… Village*………………………… contain the will of
Names in full ………………….. Chief* ……………………….... ………………………
………………………………….. District ……………………….. .. ……………………….
Other names Other address received for safe
(if any) ………………………… (business, etc.) ………………… custody
………………………………….. ………………………………….. the ………… day of
Date: …………………………… ………………………………….. ………….….., 20…… Fee:
……………………… ………………………………….. Fee: ………………….
………………………..
District Commissioner
Registrar/Magistrate

* The name of the Depositor’s Village and Chief need not be given if these are not applicable, in which
case the Depositor’s home address should be given.

FORM II
To: The Registrar of the High Court; All District Commissioners.

CUSTODY OF WILLS

The following wills were deposited for safe custody or withdrawn at ………………………… by
the under-named during the month of ………………….., 20………

DEPOSITS

Register No. Date Depositor Village . Chief District

…………... …………. ………… …………. ………….. ……………
…………... …………. ………… …………. ………….. ……………
…………... …………. ………… …………. ………….. ……………
…………... …………. ………… …………. ………….. ……………
78
 WITHDRAWALS

Register No. Date Depositor Village . Chief District

…………... …………. ………… …………. ………….. ……………
…………... …………. ………… …………. ………….. ……………

…………... …………. ………… …………. ………….. ……………

…………... …………. ………… …………. ………….. ……………

……………………………………………
District Commissioner/Registrar/Magistrate
Date………………….………………………..

79
 DECEASED ESTATES (WILLS, INHERITANCE AND PROTECTION)

(NON-CONTENTIOUS) RULES

under s. 22

ARANGEMENT OF RULES

RULES

1. Citation

2. Interpretation

3. How application to be made

4. Contents of oaths

5. Jurisdiction exercised by court

6. Proof of death

7. Administration bonds

8. Additional name

9. Marking of wills

10. Engrossment for purposes of record

11. Evidence as to due execution of will

12. Execution of will of blind or illiterate testator

80
 13. Alteration of wills

14. Attempted revocation of wills

15. Additional affidavit or evidence may be required

16. Soldiers’ wills

17. Making and issue of grant

18. Sealing of foreign grants

19. Citations

20. Caveats

21. Citation to accept or refuse grant

22. Citation to profound a will

23. Address for service

24. Limited grants

25. Inspection of deceased’s will

26. Application by members of immediate family

27. Fees

Citation 1. These Rules may be cited as the Deceased Estates (Wills,

Inheritance and Protection) (Non – Contentious Probate) Rules.

Interpretation 2. In these Rules unless the context otherwise requires-

“grant” mean a grant, made by the High Court or a court of a resident

magistrate or a magistrate of the first grade, of probate of a

81
 will or of letters of administration with or without a will

annexed, and the resealing by the High Court in Malawi of

probate or letters of administration issued by a court of probate

outside Malawi;

(b) “gross value” in relation to an estate means the value of the estate

without deduction for debts, encumbrances, funeral expenses

or estate duty;

How 3. – (1) An application for a grant may be made in person or in writing to

application
to be made the Registrar or a resident magistrate or a magistrate of the first grade.

(2) An application for a grant made by a legal practitioner for and on

behalf of an applicant shall be in writing.

(3) Every application for a grant, except an application for probate or

by a trust corporation, shall state the names, addresses and descriptions of the
proposed sureties.

(4) Every application for a grant shall state the address for

service of the applicant.

(5) An applicant for a grant making the application in

person shall supply all information necessary to enable the court to

82
 which the application is made prepare the documents leading to the

grant and where the applicant prepares the documents himself or

herself, he or she shall lodge such documents unsworn.

(6) Where an applicant for a grant appears in person and

supplies information as required under subsection (5), the court shall

embody such information in proper order for purposes of the grant.

Contents of 4. – (1) Every application for a grant shall be supported by an oath in the oaths

form applicable to the circumstances of the case which shall be contained in an affidavit
sworn by the applicant and by such other documents as these

Rules or the court may require.

(2) On an application for a grant of letters of administration

with will annexed, the oath shall state whether any executors have

been appointed by the will and if there have been any such

appointed, whether the executors so appointed have renounced or are

persons to whom probate may not be granted or have pre-deceased

the testator or have died before obtaining probate or have died

before having administered all the estate of the deceased or having

been appointed by the will do not appear and take out probate and

what the applicant’s right to a grant is and whether any minority or

life interest arises under the will or intestacy.

83
 (3) On an application for a grant of administration in case

of intestacy, the oath shall state what is the entitlement of the

applicant according to the rules for the distribution of the estate of

the intestate, and who are the other persons entitled to shares in the

estate.

(4) The oath shall state the deceased’s domicile at his or

her death, and the place and date of his or her death.

(5) An affidavit for the purposes of this rule may be in one

of the forms in Form I in the First Schedule with such variations as,
subject to the provisions of these Rules, the circumstances may
require.

Jurisdiction 5. – (1) All matters relating to grants may be disposed of by a court

exercised
by court sitting in chambers:

Provided that the court may adjourn any matter for determination in

open court and give such directions regarding the attendance of any person in

court in relation to the matter as it may deem appropriate.

(2) A court may refuse to make an order for any grant to be issued

until all inquiries which it sees fit to make have been answered to its
satisfaction and may require proof of the identity of the deceased or of the
applicant beyond that contained in the oath.

84
Proof of death 6. Every application for a grant other than an application for resealing
shall be accompanied by the death certificate of the deceased or the affidavit

of a person who knew the deceased in his or her lifetime certifying of his or

her personal knowledge the fact of the death of the deceased or by such other

evidence of the death of the deceased as the court may approve.

Administration 7. – (1) Every applicant for a grant of letters of administration shall

bond
furnish to the court an administration bond in Form II in the First Schedule

with sureties to the satisfaction of the court and the amount of the bond shall

be the gross value of the estate.

(2) Except where the sole surety is a bank or an insurance company, there

shall be two sureties to every administration bond and a reasonable

premium paid to the bank or an insurance company in respect of the issue

of such a bond shall be a proper expense of administration.

(3) The court shall so far as is reasonably possible satisfy itself that

every surety is a responsible person.

Additional 8. Where it is necessary to describe the deceased in a grant by some name

name
in addition to his or her true name, the applicant shall state in the oath the

85
true name of the deceased and shall depose that some part of the estate,

specifying it, was held in the other name, or as to any other reason that there

may be for the inclusion of the other name in the grant.

(2) Where a will contains alterations which are not admissible to

proof, there shall be lodged an engrossment of the will in the form in

which it is to be proved.

86
(3)
Marking of 9. Every will in respect of which an application for a grant is made shall be
wills
marked by the signature of the applicant and the person before whom the

oath is sworn, and shall be exhibited to the affidavit required under these

Rules:

Provided that where the court is satisfied that compliance with this

rule might result in the loss of the will, it may allow a photographic copy thereof to
be marked or exhibited in place of the original document.

Engrossment for 10. – (1) Where the court considers that in any particular case a
purposes
of record photographic copy of the original will would not be satisfactory for purposes
of record, it may require an engrossment suitable for photographic purposes
to be lodged.

Any engrossment lodged under this rule shall reproduce the punctuation, spacing and

division into paragraphs of the will and, if it is one to which subrule (2) applies, it shall be

made bookwise on durable paper following continuously from page to page on both sides

of the paper.

(4) Where any pencil writing appears on a will, there shall be

lodged a facsimile copy of the will or of the pages or sheets

containing the pencil writing, in which there shall be reproduced in

red ink those portions which appear in pencil in the original.

87
 (5) Where, following a probate action, a will has been pronounced

for, any engrossment of the will lodged on the subsequent

application for a grant shall reproduce the notation.

Evidence as to 11. – (1) Where a will contains no attestation clause or the attestation
due
execution of will clause is insufficient or where it appears to the court that there is some
doubt about the due execution of the will, the court shall, before admitting it
to proof, require an affidavit as to due execution in Form XI in the First
Schedule from one or more of the attesting witnesses, or, if no attesting
witness is conveniently available, from any other person who was present at
the time the will was executed.

(2) If no affidavit can be obtained in accordance with

subrule (1) the court may, if it thinks fit, having regard to the

desirability of protecting the interests of any person who may be

prejudiced by the will, accept evidence on affidavit from any person

it may think fit to show that the signature on the will is in the

handwriting of the deceased or of any other matter which may raise

a presumption in favour of the due execution of the will.

(3) If the court is not satisfied that the will was duly
executed, it may refer the matter into open court.

Execution of will12. Before admitting to proof a will which appears to have been made by a
of blind
or illiterate blind or illiterate testator or by another person by direction of the testator, or
testator
which for any other reason give rise to the doubt as to the testator having
88
 had knowledge of the contents of the will at the time of its execution, the

court shall satisfy itself that the testator had such knowledge.

13. – (1) Where there appears in a will any obliteration, interlineation or

Alteration of wills other alteration which is not authenticated by the signature of the attesting
witnesses or by the re-execution of the will or by the execution of a codicil,
the court shall require evidence to show whether the alteration was present at
the time when the will was executed and shall give directions as to the form
in which the will shall be proved.

(2) If from any mark on the will it appears to the court that

some other document has been attached to the will, or if a will

contains any reference to another document in such terms as to

suggest that it ought to be incorporated in the will the court may

require the document to be produced and may call for such evidence

in regard to the attaching or incorporation of the document as it may

think fit.

(3) Where there is doubt as to the date on which a will was

executed, the court may require such evidence as it thinks necessary

to establish the date.

Attempted 14. Any appearance of attempted revocation of a will by burning, tearing or

revocation
of wills otherwise and every other circumstances leading to a presumption of
revocation by the testator, shall be accounted for to the satisfaction of the
89
 court.

Additional 15. The court may require an affidavit from or the personal attendance of
affidavit or
evidence may any person it may think fit for the purpose of satisfying itself as to any of the
be required
matters referred to in rule 12, 13, 14 or 15.

Soldiers’ wills
16. If it appears to the court that there is prima facie evidence that a will is

one to which section 5 (4) of the Act applies, the will may be admitted to

proof if the court is satisfied that it was made in compliance with the

provisions of that subsection.

Making and 17. – (1) When a court has directed that a grant shall be made, and, in
issue
of grant cases where an administration bond is required, has approved the sureties,
the Registrar or a resident magistrate or a magistrate of the first grade shall
prepare a grant in the appropriate form.

(2) One of the forms in Forms VIII and IX in the First Schedule

shall be made with such variations, limitations and exceptions as the

court may direct.

(3) Every grant shall be signed by the Registrar or a resident

magistrate or a magistrate of the first grade shall be sealed with the
seal of the court.
(4) When an administration bond is required, the grant shall not issue until such a

90
 bond has been executed by the approved sureties.

Sealing of 18. – (1) An application under section 58 of the Act for the sealing in
foreign grants
Malawi of a grant made outside Malawi shall be made by the person to

whom the grant was made or by any person authorized in writing to apply on

his or her behalf.

(2) The application shall be accompanied by a copy of the estate

Cap. 43:02 duty affidavit and the certificate of the Secretary to the Estate Duty

Commissioners under section 33 of the Estate Duty Act.

(3) The application shall be supported by an affidavit verifying the

domicile of the deceased unless a notification of domicile appears on

the grant.

(4) The Registrar shall send notice of the sealing to the court

which made the grant outside Malawi.

(5) Where notice is received in the High Court of the re-sealing of

a Malawi grant, notice of any amendment or revocation of the grant

shall be sent to the court by which it was re-sealed.

Citations 19. – (1) Every citation shall issue from the registry of the court and shall

91
be settled by the Registrar or a resident magistrate or a magistrate of the first

grade before being issued.

(2) Every averment in a citation, and such other

information as the Registrar or a resident magistrate or a magistrate

of the first grade may require shall be verified by an affidavit sworn

by the citor, if there are two or more citors, by one of them:

Provided that the Registrar or resident magistrate or magistrate of the

first grade may, in special circumstances, accept an affidavit sworn by the

citor’s legal practitioner.

(3) The citor shall enter a caveat in Form IV before issuing

a

citation.
(4) Every citation shall be served personally on the person

cited unless the court, on cause shown by affidavit, directs some

other mode of service, which may include notice by advertisement.

(5) Every will referred to in a citation shall be lodged in the

registry of the court before the citation is issued, except where the

will is not in the possession of the citor and the Registrar or resident

magistrate or magistrate of the first grade is satisfied that it is

impracticable to require it to be lodged.

92
 (6) A person who has been cited to appear may, within

eight days of service of the citation upon him or her, inclusive of the

day of such service, or at any time thereafter if no application has

been made by the citor under rule 22 (5) or rule 23 (2), enter an

appearance in the registry by filing a duly completed document in

Form VI and shall forthwith thereafter serve on the citor a copy of

Form VI sealed with the seal of the court.

Caveats 20. – (1) Any person who wishes to ensure that no grant is sealed without

notice to himself or herself may enter a caveat at the court.

(2) Any person who wishes to enter a caveat under this rule

(hereafter referred to as the “caveator”) may do so by completing Form IV

and filing the same with the Registrar or a resident magistrate or a magistrate

of the first grade.

(3) Where the caveat is filed by a legal practitioner the name of

the caveator shall be stated in Form IV.

(4) Except as otherwise provided by this rule, a caveat shall

remain in force for six months from the date on which it is entered and shall

93
then ceases to have effect, without prejudice to the entry of a further caveat

or further caveats.

(5) The Registrar or a resident magistrate or a magistrate of the

first grade shall maintain an index of caveats and on receiving an application

for a grant he or she shall cause the index to be searched and he or she shall

not consider an application for a grant with knowledge of a caveat in respect

thereof.

(6) A caveator may be warned by the issue from the registry of the

court of a warning in Form V at the instance of a person with sufficient

interest in the estate and such warning shall state his or her interest, and, if

he or she claims under a will, the date of the will and shall require the

caveator to give particulars of any contrary interest which he or she may

have in the estate of the deceased; and every warning shall be served on the

caveator.

(7) A caveator who has not been warned may at any time during

which the caveat is in force withdraw his or her caveat by giving notice of

such intention in writing to the Registrar or resident magistrate or magistrate

of the first grade and if the caveator has been warned and the caveator has

not acknowledged service of the warning and has not indicated his or her

intention to contest the warning, he or she may withdraw his or her caveat by
94
giving notice of withdrawal in writing to the person who issued the warning

and to the Registrar or resident magistrate or magistrate of the first grade.

(8) A caveator having an interest contrary to that of the person

who issued a warning may, within eight days of the service of the warning

on him or her, inclusive of the day of service, or at any time thereafter if no

affidavit has been filed under subrule (10), acknowledge service of the

warning and indicate his or her intention to contest the warning by filing

Form VI at the registry of the court and shall forthwith thereafter serve on

the person who issued the warning a copy of Form VI sealed with the seal of

the court.

(9) A caveator having no interest contrary to that of the person

who issued the warning but wishing to show cause against the issue of a

grant to that person may, within eight days of service of the warning on him

or her, inclusive of the day of service, or ay time thereafter if no affidavit has

been filed under subrule (10), issue and serve a summons for directions.

(10) If the time limited for acknowledgement of service has expired

and the caveator has not acknowledged nor given his or her intention to

contest the warning, the person who issued the warning may file in the

registry an affidavit showing that the warning was duly served and that he or

95
she has not received a summons for directions under subrule (9), and

thereupon the caveat shall cease to have effect.

(11) Unless a court by order made on summons otherwise directs-

(a) a caveat in respect of which an acknowledgement of service of a

warning is duly filed with the registry of the court shall remain

in force until the commencement of a probate action, or until it

has been disposed of under the rules relating to probate

actions;

(b) any caveat in force at the beginning of a probate action or

proceedings by way of citation or motion shall, subject to
subrule (7), remain in force until an application for a grant is
made by the person shown to be entitled thereto by the
decision of the court in such action or proceedings, and upon
such application any caveat entered by a party who had notice
of the action or proceedings shall cease to have effect;

96
 (c) if no caveat is in force at the commencement of a probate
action, the commencement of the action shall operate to
prevent the issue of a grant as if a caveat had been entered
immediately before such commencement.

Citation to accept21. – (1) A citation may be issued under section 28 of the Act or under
or
refuse grant subrules (2) or (3).

(2) Where power to make a grant to an executor has been reserved, a

citation calling on the executor to accept or refuse a grant may be issued at

the instance of the executors who have proved the will or of the executor of
the last survivor of deceased executors who proved the will.

(3) A citation calling on an executor who has inter-meddled in the

estate of the deceased to show cause why he or she should not be ordered to

take a grant may be issued at the instance of any person interested in the

estate at any time after the expiry of six months from the death of the

deceased:

Provided that no citation to take a grant shall issue while

proceedings as to the validity of the will are pending.

97
 (4) A person cited who is willing to accept or take a grant may

apply ex parte to a court for an order for a grant on filling an affidavit

showing that he or she has acknowledged service of the citation and has

indicated his or her intention to contest the citation and that he or she has not

been served by the citor with notice of any application for a grant to himself

or herself.

(5) If the time limited for acknowledgement of service of the

citation has expired and the person cited has not made the acknowledgement,

the citor may-

(a) in the case of a citation under section 28 of the Act apply by

summons to the court for an order for a grant to himself or

herself;

(b) in the case of a citation under subrule (2), apply by summons

for an order striking out the acknowledgement and for the

endorsement on the grant of a note that the executor in respect

of whom power was reserved has been duly cited and has not

made the acknowledgement and that all his or her rights in

respect of the executorship have wholly ceased;

98
 (c) in the case of a citation under subrule (3), apply by summons

to the court for an order requiring the person cited to take a

grant within a specified time;

and the summons shall be served on the person cited.

Citation to 22. – (1) A citation to propound a will shall be directed to the executors
profound
a will named in the will and to all persons interested thereunder, and may be

issued at the instance of any citor having an interest contrary to that of the

executors or such other persons.

(2) If the time limited for appearance has expired and no person cited has

entered an appearance, or if no person who has appeared proceeds with

reasonable diligence to propound the will, the citor may apply by summons

for an order for a grant as if the will were invalid.

Address for 23. All caveats, citations, warnings and appearances shall contain an address
service
for service within the jurisdiction.

Limited grants 24. An application for an order for a grant limited to part of an estate shall be
made by summons and shall be supported by an affidavit stating–

whether the application is made in respect of the real estate

(a) only or any part thereof, or real estate together with personal

99
 estate, or in respect of a trust estate only;

whether the estate of the deceased is known to be insolvent;

(b)

(c) that the persons entitled to a grant in respect of the whole

estate in priority to the applicant have renounced either
explicitly or by failing to appear to a citation or have
consented to the present application.

Inspection of 25. – Every will preserved in accordance with section 77 of the Act shall
deceased’s
will be open to inspection on payment of the prescribed fee.

Application by 26. – (1) An application by a member of the immediate family under

members
of immediate section 15 of the Act shall be made by petition to which the executors of
family
the will shall be the sole respondents.

(2) Such application shall be in accordance with Form VI in the

First Schedule and shall be made within six months of the death of the

testator and shall be verified by the affidavit of the applicant to which the

respondents to the application shall file affidavits in reply.

100
 (3) A petition under subrule (1) shall be heard in open court and

the court may require the attendance in court of any of the persons having an

interest in the matter.

Fees 27. The fees set out in the Second Schedule shall be payable in respect of

the proceedings and matters therein mentioned:

Provided that if the Registrar or a resident magistrate or a magistrate

of the first grade is satisfied that any applicant is unable to pay any of the

prescribed fees he or she may waive or postpone payment thereof.

FIRST SCHEDULE

r. 4 FORM I

OATHS FOR EXECUTORS

In the High Court of Malawi/

In the ………………………... Magistrate Court sitting at …………………………………… *

In the Estate of …………………………………………………………….………... (deceased).

WE, A.B. and D.C., make oath and say (or solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm) that we believe
the paper writing hereto annexed, and marked by us, to contain the true and original last will and testament
(with a codicil(s) thereto) of …………………………………., deceased, who died on the
………………………. day of ………………………., 20 ………. at
………………………………………………….. aforesaid, domiciled in ………………………., that we
are respectively ………………………………………………….. of the said deceased, and two of the
executors named in the said will and will administer according to law all the estate which by law devolves
to and vests in the personal representatives of the said deceased and will exhibit a true and perfect
inventory of the said estate, and render a just and true account thereof whenever required by law so to do;

101
and that the whole of the said estate amounts in value to the sum of K………………… and no more, to
the best of our knowledge, information and belief.

Signatures ……………………………….
of
Deponents ………………………………

Sworn/Affirmed by both the above-named

deponents at ………………………………………………….. this
………………………… day of ………………., 20 ……..
Before me, ……………………………………………………..
A Commissioner for Oaths

* Delete whichever is inapplicable

r. 4 FORM II A
OATH – ADMINISTRATION WITH WILL ANNEXED
In the High Court of Malawi/
In the ………………………... Magistrate Court sitting at …………………………………… * In
the Estate of .…………………………………………………………….……… (deceased).
WE, A.B. and D.C, of …………………………………………………………………………... make oath
and say (or solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm) that we believe the paper writing hereto
annexed and marked by us, to contain the true and original last will and testament (with codicil(s) thereto)
of ……………………………………………………., of …………………………………, formerly of
………………………………………………, deceased, who died on the
…………………………….. day of ………………………, 20 …… at
……………………………………………….., domiciled in ………………………...;
that………………………………………………… and ……………………………………….. the
executors named in the said will (or codicil) died in the lifetime of the said deceased; that no life interest
arises in his estate and that no beneficiary is a minor; that we are respectively the
………………………………………… of the said deceased and the residuary legatees and devisees
named in the said will (or codicil) of the said deceased**, and will administer according to law all the
estate which by law devolves to and vests in the personal representative of the said deceased, and will
exhibit a true and perfect inventory of the said estate, and render a just and true account thereof whenever
required by law so to do; and that the whole of the said estate amounts in value to the sum of K
………….. and no more, to the best of my knowledge, information and belief.

Signatures ……………………………….
of
Deponents ………………………………

Sworn/Affirmed by both the above-named

deponents at ………………………………………………….. this
………………………… day of ………………., 20 ……..

102
Before me, …………………………………………………….
A Commissioner for Oaths

* Delete whichever is inapplicable

** If not applicable, set out the entitlement of the applicants for grant and state who has a prior right and
how they are cleared off.

FORM IIB r. 4
OATH FOR ADMINISTRATOR (INTESTACY)

In the High Court of Malawi/

In the ………………………... Magistrate Court sitting at ……………………………………... *
In the Estate of .…………………………………………………………….…………. (deceased).
I, A.B., of …………………………………………………………………….. make oath and say (or
solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm) that ……………………………………, of
………………………….. died on the ……………………. day of ………………, 20 ……… at
……………………………………………….., domiciled in Malawi, and intestate; that I am the
……………………….** of the said deceased and entitled to a part of the estate of the said deceased and
am not aware of any person who has a greater or more immediate interest in such estate except
…………………………………… that no minority or life interest arises out of the intestacy; and that I
will administer according to law all the estate which by law devolves to and vests in the personal
representative of the said deceased, and will exhibit a true and perfect inventory of the said estate, and
render a just and true account thereof whenever required by law so to do; and that the whole of the said
estate amounts in value to the sum of K ………….. and no more, to the best of my knowledge,
information and belief.

Signatures ……………………………….
of
Deponents ………………………………
Sworn/Affirmed by both the above-named
deponents at ………………………………………………….. this
………………………… day of ………………., 20 ……..
Before me, ……………………………………………………..
A Commissioner for Oaths

* Delete whichever is inapplicable

** Set out the relationship of the deponent to the deceased.

r. 7 FORM III A
103
 ADMINISTRATION BOND

In the High Court of Malawi/

In the ………………………... Magistrate Court sitting at …………………………………… *
In the Estate of .………………………………………………………….……….…. (deceased).
WE, (1) ………………………………………… are jointly and severally bound unto the court in the
sum of (2) ………………………… pounds, for the payment of which to the said court we bind ourselves
and each of us and our (3) …………………………………

Sealed with our Seal(s)

Dated the …………………………….. day of ……………………………………..., 20……...
The condition of this obligation is such that if the above-named (4) …………………….., the (5)
…………………………………, of (6) ……………………………………….., deceased, who died on the
………………………………..…. day of …………….………………….., and the intended administrator
(with the will (7) annexed) (8) of all the estate which by law devolves to and vests in the personal
representative of the said (9) deceased ……………………………………………. do, when lawfully
called on in that behalf, make or cause to b e made a true and perfect inventory of the said estate which has
or shall come to he hands, possession or knowledge of the said intended administrator, and do exhibit the
said inventory or cause it o be exhibited in court whenever required by law so to do; and do well and truly
administer the said estate according to law (10); and further do make or cause to be made a true and just
account of the administration of the said estate whenever required by law so to do; and further do, if so
required, render and deliver up the letters of administration of the said estate whenever required by law so
to do; and further do, if so required, render and deliver up the letters of administration in the court if it
shall hereafter appear that any will was made by the said deceased which is exhibited in the said court with
a request that it be allowed and approved accordingly (11); then this obligation shall be void and of no
effect, but shall otherwise remain in full force and effect.

Signed, sealed and delivered by the within-named in the presence of ………………………...

A Commissioner for Oaths (or other person) authorized by law to administer an oath). (12)
The Common Seal of ………………………………. was made hereunto affixed in the presence of
……………………………………………

* Delete whichever is inapplicable

(1) Insert full names, addresses and descriptions of principals and sureties.
(2) Unless otherwise directed, the sum to be inserted should be the gross value of the estate.
(3) Individuals bind themselves, their executors and administrators.
Trust and other Corporations bind themselves and their successors.
(1) Insert full name of principals.
(2) Set out the capacity in which application for the grant is made (which must agree with that stated in
the oath).
(3) Full name and address of the deceased.
(4) “and codicils” if any.
(5) Delete if deceased died intestate.
(6) Insert any limitation on the estate to be administered, or any extension to include settled land. On an
application for a second or subsequent grant, insert “left unadministered by” (previous grantee). If
the grant is to be a limited one, give particulars.
104
(7) On a creditor’s application insert here: “paying all and singular the debts owed by the said deceased
at his death in due course of administration, rateably and proportionately and according to the
priority required by law, not however, preferring his own debt by reason of his being administrator
nor the debt of any other person”.
(8) If the deceased died intestate, this paragraph should be deleted.
(9) In the case of the intended administrator, the bond must, unless attested by an authorized officer of
the registry, be attested by the person before whom the oath was sworn. Attestation is not required
in the case of a corporation.

FORM III B r. 19

In the High Court of Malawi

ADMINISTRATION BOND ON APPLICATION FOR SEALING A FOREIGN

GRANT

under s. 58
In the Estate of …………………………………………………………….………... (deceased).
WE, (1) ………………………………………… are jointly and severally bound unto the Registrar of the
High Court in the sum of (2) ………………………… pounds, for the payment of which to the said
Registrar we bind ourselves and each of us and our (3). Sealed with our Seal(s)
Dated the …………………………….. day of ………………………………………..., 20 ……..
Signed, sealed and delivered by the within-named in the presence of ………………………… A
Commissioner for Oaths (or other person authorized by law to administer an oath. (9) The Common Seal
of …………………. was hereunto affixed in the presence of ………………………………..

Insert full names, addresses and descriptions of principals and sureties.

Unless otherwise directed, the sum to be inserted should be the gross value of the estate.
Individuals bind themselves, their executors and administrators.
Trust and other Corporations bind themselves and their successors.
Insert full name(s), address(es) and description(s) of person(s) to whom the grant is made.
“and codicils”, if any.
Delete if deceased died intestate.
Description of Court by which grant was issued.
Full name and address of the deceased.
Where the application required to be supported by an oath sworn by the applicant, his or her signature
must, unless attested by an authorized officer of a registry, be attested by the person before whom
the oath was sworn. Attestation is not required in the case of a corporation.

r. 19 FORM III C
105
 FORM OF RESEAL IN MALAWI OF A FOREIGN GRANT

In the High Court of Malawi

PROBATE CAUSE NO.: ……………………… of 20 ……

RESEALED by this High Court of Malawi under section 58 of the Deceased Estates (Wills, Inheritance and
Protection) Act.

This ……………………………………… day of …………………………………….., 20……..

SEAL
of the
HIGH COURT
…………………………………………
Registrar of the High Court

NOTE: The above form should be endorsed on the foreign grant which is being resealed.

FORM IV rr. 20, 21

In the High Court of Malawi/
In the ………………………... Magistrate Court sitting at …………………………………… *
CAVEAT

In the Estate of ……………………………………………………………………….. deceased.

LET no grant be sealed in the estate of …………………….., late of …………………………, deceased,
who died on the …………………………..day of ………………………………….., 20 ……, at
……………………………….without notice to (1) ………………………….. dated this
……………………… day of ………………, 20 ……..
Signed (2) ………………………………..
Legal Practitioners for the said (3) ………………………………………

* Delete whichever is inapplicable

(1) Name and address within the jurisdiction for service of party by whom the caveat is entered.
(2) To be signed by the caveator’s legal practitioner or by the caveator if acting in person.
(3) If the caveator is acting in person, substitute “in person”.

106
 FORM V r. 21

In the High Court of Malawi

In the ………………………... Magistrate Court sitting at …………………………………… *

WARNING TO CAVEATOR

To ……………………………………………………… of ………………………………………,
a party who has entered a caveat in the estate of……………………………………………….., deceased.

You are hereby warned within eight days after service hereof upon you, inclusive of the day of such
service:
(1) to enter an appearance either in person or by your legal practitioner, at the Registry, setting forth
what interest you have in the estate of the above-named …………………………………………………
deceased, contrary to that of the party at whose instance this warning is issued;
or

(2) if you have no contrary interest but wish to show cause against the sealing of a grant to such party, to
issue and serve a summons for directions by Registrar.

And take notice that in default of your so doing, the Court may proceed to issue a grant of probate or
administration in the said estate notwithstanding your caveat.
Dated the …………………………………….. day of ……………………………….. . 20 ……..

………………………………….
Registrar/Magistrate

* Delete whichever is inapplicable

Issued at the instance of [(set out the name and interest (including the date of the will, if any, under which
the interest arises) of the party warning, the name of his legal practitioner and the address for service. If
the party warning is acting in person, this must be stated].

r. 21 FORM VI
In the High Court of Malawi/
In the ………………………... Magistrate Court sitting at …………………………………… *

APPEARANCE TO WARNING OR CITATION

Caveat No.: ……………………………. dated the ………….. day of ………….., 20 ……., (1)
Citation dated the …………………………… day of …………………… 20 …………….., (1)

Full name and address of the Deceased:

………………………………………………………
107
 ………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………
Full name and address of person warning (or citor):-
(2)
………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………

Full name and address of person warning (or citor):-

(3)
………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………
Enter an appearance for the above-named caveator (or person cited) in this manner.

Dated the ………………………………… day of …………………………………. 20………...

(Signed) ………………………….
whose address for service is:-
Legal Practitioner (or “In Person”)
………………………………………………

* Delete whichever is inapplicable

(1) Delete whichever is inapplicable.
(2) Here set out the interest of the person warning, or citor, as shown in warning or citation.
(3) Here set out the interest of the caveator or person cited, stating date of the will, if any, under which
such interest arises.

FORM VII

In the High Court of Malawi/

In the ………………………... Magistrate Court sitting at …………………………………… *
PETITION No.: …………….. of 20 ………

In the matter of section 15 of the Deceased Estates (Wills, Inheritance and Protection) Act, and In
the matter of the estate of ………………………………….. deceased.

1. …………………………………………………….

2. ……………………………………………………. Applicants

vs

1. …………………………………………………….
108
2. ……………………………………………………. Respondents

To: The High Court of Malawi/

To: The ………………………... Magistrate Court sitting at ……………………………… * The
Humble Petition of ………………………………… shows as follows:
(1) Probate of the will of the above-named deceased was granted to the Respondents by the High Court
of Malawi/ ………………Magistrate Court sitting at ………………………… on the
…………………… day of ………… 20 …..
(2) The first applicant, ……………………………………. resides at ……………………………
and is related to the said deceased (hereinafter referred to as “the Testator”) as his ……………
(3) Immediately prior to the death of the Testator the first applicant was dependent on the Testator as
follows:
(set out nature and degree of dependency)
(4) Under the Testator’s said will, the first applicant is entitled to no benefit (or as the case may be) (5)
(6) Set out similar information regarding the second applicant (if there is one).
(7)
(8) The nature and extent of the Testator’s estate is set out in the Estate Duty affidavit filed by the
Respondents is as follows:
(set out the particulars of the estate)
(9) The first applicant has or had the following capital and income:
(set out past, present and future capital and income)
and no other past, present or future capital from any source)
(10) Set out similar information relating to the second applicant, if there is one.
(11) The circumstances of the other dependants, wives, children and relatives of the Testator and the
beneficiaries under the Testator’s will, so far as such circumstances are known to the applicants, are
as follows:
(set out full details)
(12) Reasonable provision for the applicants would be:
(set out amount claimed by each applicant)
And your Petitioner(s) will
Affidavit:
We, ………………………………………………… and ……………………………………..,

* Delete whichever is inapplicable

r. 18 FORM VIII

In the High Court of Malawi/

In the ………………………... Magistrate Court sitting at …………………………………… *

GRANT OF PROBATE
In the Estate of .…………………………………………………………….……………., deceased.

PROBATE
109
 This grant certifies that ……………………………………………………………………………… have
been duly appointed Executors of the Will of the late …………………………………………, who died at
………………………………… on the ……………………….. day of ……………………, 20 ……. and
hereby authorized as such to administer the estate of the said deceased in accordance with the terms of his
will, a copy of which is attached to this grant.

SEAL …………………………………………
Registrar/Magistrate At …………………………………..
This …………………………………………… day of …………………………………… 20……

* Delete whichever is inapplicable

r. 18 FORM VIII A
GRANT OF PROBATE (LIMITED)
In the High Court of Malawi/
In the ………………………... Magistrate Court sitting at …………………………………… *
In the Estate of .…………………………………………………………….……….………….. deceased.

PROBATE (LIMITED)
This grant certifies that …………………………………………………………………………………….
and ………………………………………………….. were duly appointed Executors of the will of the late
…………………………………………………………………………………………….. who died at
………………………………………………… on the …………………………………………. day of
………………………………………, 20……; that the said ……………………………… is hereby duly
authorized as Executor to administer the estate of the said deceased in accordance with the terms of his
will, a copy of which is attached to this grant, and that the rights of ……………………. the other executor
named in the said will are hereby reserved.

SEAL
………………………………………
…
Registrar/Magistrate At
………………………………………………..
This ………………………………………………….. day of …………………………………..
20………

* Delete whichever is inapplicable

110
 r. 18 FORM IX

In the High Court of Malawi/

In the ………………………... Magistrate Court sitting at …………………………………… *
In the Estate of .…………………………………………………………….……….……….., deceased.

LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION

These are to certify that …………………………………………………………………………… and

…………………………………………………………….. have been duly appointed administrators of the
estate of the late …………………………………………………………………………. who died at
…………………………………………………………… on the …………………………………. day of
…………………………………, 20………., and are hereby authorized as such to administer his estate
(according to law)* *(in accordance with the terms of his will, a copy of which is attached hereto) (1).

…………………………………………
Registrar/Magistrate
At ……………………………………………….
This ……………………………………………….. day of ………………………………………
20……

* Delete whichever is inapplicable **(1)

Delete whichever is not applicable.

FORM IX A r. 18

In the High Court of Malawi/

In the ………………………... Magistrate Court sitting at …………………………………… *
In the Estate of .…………………………………………………………….……….…………., deceased.

LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION TO UNADMINISTERED ESTATE

These are to certify that …………………………………………………………………………… and

…………………………………………………………….. have been duly appointed administrators of the
estate of the late …………………………………………………………………………. who died at
…………………………………………………………… on the …………………………………. day of
…………………………………, 20………., as still remains unadministered, and are hereby authorized as
such to administer such part of his estate as remains unadministered (according to law) *(in accordance
with the terms of his will, a copy of which is attached hereto)**.

SEAL …………………………………………
Registrar/Magistrate
At ………………………………………………….
This …………………………………………….. day of ………………………………………….

111
20…….

* Delete whichever is inapplicable

** Delete whichever is inapplicable

FORM X

In the High Court of Malawi/

In the ………………………... Magistrate Court sitting at …………………………………… *

RENUNCIATION OF PROBATE
In the Estate of .…………………………………………………………….……….………….. deceased.
Whereas …………………………………, of ………………………………………….. deceased, died on
the ……………………………………….. day of ……………………………………….., 20………., at
…………………………………………… having made and duly executed his last will and testament
bearing date the …………………. day of …………………………………….., 20………, and thereof
appointed ………………………………………………. his sole executor; now I, the said
……………………………………….. do hereby declare that I have not inter-meddled in the estate of the
said deceased and will not hereafter inter-meddle therein with intent to defraud creditors, and I hereby
renounce all my right and title to the probate and execution of the said will.

(Signature) …………………………….

Sworn by the said …………………………………………………………….……….. this

……………………………… day of ……………………………………. 20..….., in the
presence of ……………………………………………………………………… Signature
of Witness: ………………………………………………………………….
Address: ………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………..

* Delete whichever is inapplicable

FORM X A
In the High Court of Malawi/
In the ………………………... Magistrate Court sitting at …………………………………… *

RENUNCIATION OF ADMINISTRATION
In the Estate of .…………………………………………………………….……….………….. deceased.
Whereas …………………………………, of ………………………………………….. deceased, died on
the ……………………………………….. day of ……………………………………….., 20……….,
intestate, a spinster,* leaving …………………………………………… widow, her lawful mother** and
the only person entitled to the estate of the said …………………………………………. deceased.

112
 Now I, …………………………………………., the said …………………………………, do hereby
renounce all my right and title to letters of administration of the estate of the said deceased (and I further
consent to the same being granted to ……………………………………………………, my lawful
……………………………………………..).
(Signature) …………………………….
Sworn by the said …………………………………………………………….……….. this
……………………………… day of ……………………………………. 20……, in the
presence of ……………………………………………………………………… Signature
of Witness: ………………………………………………………………….
Address: ………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………..

* Delete whichever is inapplicable

** Amend as necessary

r. 12 FORM XI
In the High Court of Malawi/
In the ………………………... Magistrate Court sitting at …………………………………… *

AFFIDAVIT BY ATTESTING WITNESS OF DUE EXECUTION OF A WILL

In the Estate of .…………………………………………………………….……….………….. deceased.
I, …………………………………, of ………………………………………….. (description) make oath
and say (or solemnly, sincerely, truly declare and affirm) that I am one of the subscribing witnesses to the
last will and testament of the said ……………………………………….., of
……………………………………….., the said will now being hereunto annexed bearing date
…………………………………, and that the said testator executed the said will on the day of the
………………………………………, and that the said testator executed the said will on the day of the
date thereof by signing his name at the foot or end thereof as the same now appears thereon, in the
presence of me and of ……………………………………. the other subscribed witness thereto, both of us
being present at the same time, and we thereupon attested and subscribed the said will in the presence of
the said testator.
……………………………………..
(Signature of Deponent)
Sworn by the above-named deponent
at ……………………………………………………………….. this
………………… day of ………………………… 20……., Before
me, ……………………………………………………..
A Commissioner for Oaths

SECOND SCHEDULE r. 28

FEES
K

113
1. On application for a grant of probate or letters of administration .. .. .. .. 400

2. On deposit of a will under section 7 .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

200

3. On search for a will deposited under section 78 .. .. .. .. .. .. 100

4. (a) Photostat copy of a will relating to an estate other than a small estate under section
78 – per sheet .. .. .. .. .. .. 10
(b) Photostat copy of a will relating to a small estate – per sheet of will supplied to a
court .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20
5. Typed copy of a will deposited under section 78 .. .. .. .. ..
per 100 words or part thereof .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 50

6. Inspection of any will, in addition to the search fee – per hour

or part thereof .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 50

DECEASED ESTATES (WILLS, INHERITANCE AND PROTECTION)

(SMALL ESTATES) RULES

under s.76

ARRANGEMENT OF RULES

RULES

Citation

Interpretation

How application for grant is to be made

Procedure in case of will

Notice to members of the immediate family

Hearing

114
 Form of administration grant and its issue

Disputes

Application under section 15 of the Act

Citation 1. These Rules may be cited as the Deceased Estates (Wills,

Inheritance and Protection) (Small Estates) Rules.

Interpretation 2. In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires-

“gross value” in relation to any estate means the value of the estate without
deduction for debts, encumbrances, funeral expenses or estate duty; and

How 3. – (1) An application under section 65 of the Act may be made by the
application
for grant is to persons appointed by a will to administer the estate or by not less than two
be made
nor more than four other persons.

(2) After recording a complaint the clerk shall inquire whether or not

the deceased left a will, whether or not the gross value of the estate does not

exceed the value of a small estate and where the deceased ordinarily resided

prior to his or her death.

(3) If the applicants state that the deceased left no will and if the

clerk is satisfied-

(a) by evidence on oath of the alleged death; and

115
 (b) that the court appears to have jurisdiction in case of intestacy,

he or she shall notify the District Commissioner of the district in which the

court is situate of the death and shall inquire whether the deposit of a will of

the deceased person is recorded and if the District Commissioner informs the

clerk that no such will is recorded, the clerk shall immediately prepare a

notice in Form I in the First Schedule in accordance with rule 5.

(4) In cases where the applicants state that the deceased left no will,

the application under section 65 shall be made to the court having

jurisdiction and in the area in which the deceased ordinarily resided prior to

his or her death for the administration grant.

Procedure in case 4. – (1) If, on an application under section 65 of the Act, the applicants
of will state thatthe deceased left a will, the clerk shall require the will to be
produced to him or her or information to be given regarding the office where
the will has been deposited under section 8 of the Act and if the applicants
are unable either to produce the will or to state where the will is deposited,
the clerk shall advise the applicants to apply to the court for a grant in
respect of a lost will or to proceed as though the will has been revoked and
the deceased had died intestate.

116
 (2) If the applicants, by evidence on oath, satisfy the clerk of the

death of the deceased and state that the will of the deceased is deposited for

safe custody with a person under section 8 of the Act, and if it appears to the

clerk that the court may have jurisdiction under section 64 of the Act, the

clerk shall write to that person informing them of the death and in the case of

a person other than the Registrar requesting them to forward the original will

to the Registrar or resident magistrate or magistrate of the first grade.

(3) If the applicants produce to the clerk a document which they

claim to be the will of the deceased, the clerk shall forthwith make a copy

thereof and act in accordance with section 64 (3) of the Act.

(4) In cases where subrule (2) or subrule (3) apply, the clerk shall

obtain from the applicants all information required for the purpose of

preparing a notice in Form II in the First Schedule and on receipt from the

person requested under subrule (2) of the original will of the deceased, the

clerk shall, unless it appears that some other court has been nominated in the

will, proceed in accordance with rule 5 (4) and if the person to whom a

request has been made under subrule (2) states that he or she has not and

cannot trace the original will, the clerk shall inform the applicants

accordingly and advise them in accordance with subrule (1).

117
 (5) If, on receipt of the original will, it appears that some other

court has been nominated, the clerk shall apply for the transfer of the

application to the nominated court in the same way as for the transfer of a

normal court case.

Notice to 5. – (1) For the purpose of preparing a notice under rule 3 or rule 4, the
members of
the immediate clerk shall inquire of the applicants the names of the members of immediate
family
family of the deceased and where they live, and the applicants shall

truthfully and fully inform the clerk accordingly.

(2) When the clerk is satisfied that he or she has been fully

informed about the members of the immediate family of the deceased and

their addresses, he or she shall include the names and addresses of all

members of the immediate family in the notice and shall make sufficient

copies for service on each of them.

(3) If the applicants state, or the clerk is satisfied by inspection of

the

will or certified copy thereof that there is a person named in the will as
executor who is not among the applicants, the clerk shall cause such person
to be included in the list of persons to be served with a notice.

(4) The clerk shall thereupon request the court to fix the date of

hearing of the application.

118
 (5) The clerk shall inform the applicants of the date and time fixed

for hearing and shall cause the notices to be served on the persons therein

named.

(6) Where any member of the immediate family of the deceased is

a minor, the notice to him or her may be served on his or her guardian, if

any, or on the persons with whom he or she resides, if there is no guardian.

Hearing 6. – (1) If, on the hearing, the applicants or any of them fail to appear, the

court may adjourn the hearing or, at the request of any two applicants or

members of the immediate family who are willing to undertake the

administration of the estate, may proceed in the absence of any applicant and

may direct that an administration grant be issued in accordance with section

65 (5) or (6) of the Act.

(2) If, on the hearing, any person on whom a notice should have

been served fails to appear, the court may, if it is not satisfied that all such

notices have been served in due time, adjourn the hearing, but if its satisfied

that all such notices have been served in due time, the court shall proceed

with the hearing in the absence of any person duly served with a notice.

(3) Where any of the members of the immediate family of the

deceased is a minor the court may, if no lawful guardian appears to represent

119
 the minor, proceed with the hearing or adjourn the hearing until such

guardian is appointed.

Form of 7. – (1) An administration grant shall be in accordance with Form III in

administration
grant and its the Schedule.
issue

(2) Where a court has ordered that an administration grant be

issued, the grant shall not be issued until the fees prescribed in the Second

Schedule have been paid.

(3) A copy of the administration grant shall be retained in the

records of the court and if a copy of the will was annexed to the grant, a copy

shall be annexed to the copy of the grant retained by the court.

Disputes 8. – (1) A dispute over which a court has jurisdiction under section 73 of
the Act, may be decided on the hearing of an application made under section
65 of the Act and if no application under section 65 of the Act has been
made or if such an application has been concluded, an application relating to
such a dispute shall be made to the court which made a grant under section
65 of the Act, or, if no such grant has been made by any court, the dispute
may be decided by the court and as lodged by the applicant.

120
 (2) An application relating to a dispute referred to in subrule (1)

and a civil summons shall be issued to every person interested in the

dispute and the court shall refuse to proceed with the hearing of the

application unless it is satisfied that all persons interested in the question are

before the court or, if not before the court, have been served in due time with

a summons to attend the court.

(3) An application relating to a question over which a court has

jurisdiction under section 73 of the Act may be made by any person having

an interest in the property or by any relative of the minor having an interest

in the property or other person having a legitimate interest in the minor.

(4) An application may proceed after the person alleged to have

failed to carry out his or her duties or to have acted improperly as guardian

has been duly served with a civil summons, and without any other person

interested being before the court.

(5) No order may be made against any person who has not been

summoned to appear before the court and given an opportunity to make

representations to the court.

(6) The court may, at any time during proceedings under section

73 of the Act, direct that any person be summoned to appear before the court
121
 and may adjourn the hearing of the application to enable service to be

effected and the person summoned to appear.

Application 9. – (1) An application by a member of the immediate family under under

section
15 of the Act section 15 of the Act shall be made to the court by which an administration

grant with will annexed has been made.

(2) A civil summons shall be issued to all the persons entitled to

administer the estate under the administration grant.

(3) On the hearing of the application, the court shall cause the

clerk to produce to the court a copy of the administration grant and a copy of

the will annexed, and shall record-

(a) the residence of the applicant at the time of the hearing and, if

the application is made on behalf of a member of the

immediate family, the residence of the member and the reason

why the member did not apply personally;

(b) the nature of the property of the testator and its value for the

purpose of section 15 (2) of the Act;

122
 (c) the provision, if any, made for the member by the will, and the

past, present and future capital or income from any source of

the member;

(d) the circumstances of the other members and the beneficiaries

under the will;

(e) the amount claimed by the applicant to be reasonable

provision and the amount , if any, awarded by the court; and

(f) the reasons of the court for granting or refusing the

application, including the conduct of the member in relation to

the testator or otherwise and the general circumstances, if any,

taken into account in arriving at the decision of the court.

____________________________

rr. 3, 4 and 7 FIRST SCHEDULE

FORM I

In the ………………………... Magistrate Court sitting at …………………………………… *

Probate Cause No. ……………………………… of 20……..

APPLICATION FOR ADMINISTRATION GRANT ON INTESTACY

by ………………………………………………….
………………………………………………….
………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………. Applicants

123
 NOTICE

UNDER SECTION 65 OF THE DECEASED ESTATES

(WILLS, INHERITANCE AND PROTECTION) ACT

to ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………. and
the persons whose names appear on the back hereof.
Take notice that you are to come to the court house at …………………………………………… on
…………… day, the ………………………. day of ………………………………………, 20…….., at the
hour of ………………………………, to state whether you have any objection to the making of an
Administration Grant in respect of the estate of …………………………………………………., deceased,
to the applicants above-named.

2. The applicants state that ………………………………………………………………………..,

formerly of …………………………………. (here state the last ordinary residence of the deceased) died
on the …………………………… day of ……………….., 20…., without having made a will.

3. The applicants state that they wish to distribute the estate of the said deceased according to the Wills
and Inheritance Act.

4. If you do not come to the court house on the day and at the time above-mentioned, an
Administration Grant may be made in your absence which will entitle the applicants so to distribute the
estate.

Dated this …………………………………… day of ……………………………………… 20…….

SEAL OF COURT
…………………………………
Magistrate

FORM II

In the ………………………... Magistrate Court sitting at …………………………………… *

Probate Cause No. ……………………………… of 20………..

Estate of ………………………………………..………………………………………………, deceased.

APPLICATION FOR ADMINISTRATION GRANT, WITH WILL

by ………………………………………………….
………………………………………………….
………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………. Applicants

124
 NOTICE

UNDER SECTION 65 OF THE DECEASED ESTATES

(WILLS, INHERITANCE AND PROTECTION) ACT

to ……………………………………………………
…………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………. and the persons whose names appear on the back
hereof.
Take notice that you are to come to the court house at …………………………………………… on
…………… day, the …………………… day of ………………………………………, 20…….., at the
hour of ……………………, to state whether or not you have any objection to the making of an
Administration Grant in respect of the estate of …………………………………………………..,
deceased, to the applicants above-named.

2. The applicants state that ……………………………………………………………………….., formerly

of …………………………………. (here state the last ordinary residence of the deceased) died on the
…………………………………. day of ………………….., 20.…., having made a first will dated
……………………………… by which he or she-

* (a) appointed the applicants to administer his or her estate;

*(b) nominated this court as the court to deal with applications relating to his or her estate.

* Delete if not appropriate

3. The applicants state that you are a ……………….. of the said ………………………….., deceased.

4. If you do not come to the court house on the day and at the time above-mentioned, an Administration
Grant with the said will annexed may be made in your absence, and if such Administrator Grant is
made, the estate will be distributed in accordance with the said will.

5. A copy of the said will may be inspected at the court house during business hours on any working day
three weeks after the date of this notice or as soon thereafter as such copy is received.

Dated this ……………………………………………….. day of ………………………………… 20…...

SEAL OF COURT
…………………………………
Magistrate

FORM III

In the ………………………... Magistrate court sitting at …………………………………… *

Probate Cause No. ……………………………… of 20…..

In the Estate of ……………………………………………………………………………, deceased.

ADMINISTRATION GRANT
This Grant certifies that-
125
 ………………………………………………….
………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………. and
…………………………………………….

have been appointed administrators of the estate of ……………………………………………… deceased,

lately of ………………………………………. who died at ………………………. on the
…………………..day of …………………………………, 20…….., and are hereby authorized as such to
administer the estate-

* according to the law of intestacy applicable to the deceased;

* in accordance with the terms of the will, a copy of which is attached hereto.

Dated this …………………………………………………. day of ………………………… 20……

SEAL OF COURT

…………………………………
Magistrate

* Delete whichever is not applicable.

SECOND SCHEDULE

The following fees shall be payable in addition to any fee payable on an application-

K
1. On the issue of an Administration Grant without copy will annexed .. .. 50

2. On the issue of an Administration Grant with certified copy of will

annexed –

for the Grant .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 100

and in addition, for the certified copy of the will, per page .. .. .. 10

___

DECEASED ESTATES (WILLS, INHERITANCE AND PROTECTION)

(INSTITUTIONALMONEY) RULES

126
 Unders.76

ARRANGEMENT OF RULES

RULES

1. Citation

2. Reference by District Commissioner

3. Court to summon witness

4. Examination of persons interested

5. Announcement of decision and appeals

6. Court to certify decision

7. Further duties of District Commissioner and other persons

8. Minors

Citation 1. These Rules may be cited as the Deceased Estates (Wills,

Inheritance and Protection) (Institutional Money) Rules.

Reference by 2. If, after receiving a report of a death under section 63 (2) (a) of the
District
Commissioner Act and District verifying the amount of institutional money and causing the

enquiries required by section 63 (2) (b) to be made, it appears to a District

Commissioner or employer or insurer or an administrator of a provident

fund that the institutional money is not disposed of by a valid will, he or she

shall make the reference required by section 63 (2) (d) to the court in the

area in which the deceased had his or her principal place of residence

127
 immediately prior to his death and such reference shall be made by

completing a request for certificate in Part A of Form I in the First Schedule.

A court to 3. – (1) Upon receiving a request under rule 2 the court shall cause
summon
certain witnesses particulars thereof to be entered in the civil complaints book as a complaint

by the District Commissioner or employer or insurer or an administrator of

a provident fund and such court shall then summon as a witness a member of

the immediate family of the deceased or a dependant of the deceased or a

relative of the deceased person or such other person as the court considers,

on reasonable grounds, may be able to give evidence as to the names and

whereabouts of the persons interested in any part of the institutional money.

(2) Where the person summoned under subrule (1) appears before

the court, such person shall be examined by the court to obtain the evidence referred

to in subrule (1).

Examination of 4. – (1) After completing the examination referred to in rule 3, the court
persons
interested shall serve a summons in Form II in the First Schedule on all such persons
as appears to the court to be interested in the institutional money in question.

(2) The persons summoned shall be required to appear before the

court at the same time which shall be not less than thirty days and not more
128
than sixty days from the date of service of the summons and at the time so

notified the court shall examine such of the persons so summoned as appear

before the court and such examination shall take place in the presence of all

the other persons so summoned who have appeared before the court.

(3) The court shall require each of the persons so examined to

answer upon oath such questions as the court may put to them relating to the

affairs of the deceased and may permit any person so examined to be cross-

examined by, or on behalf of, any other person claiming to be interested in

the property of the deceased.

(4) Any person not so summoned who claims to be interested in

the property of the deceased person as a creditor, beneficiary or person

interested under a will of the deceased may appear before the court at the

appropriate or she does so, shall be treated as though he had time, and if he

or she has been summoned and the provisions of subrules (2) and (3) shall

apply to him or her.

(5) After hearing such evidence and making any further enquiries

which it deems necessary for its proper decision, the court shall decide -

(a) whether any claims made by creditors are valid and if so what

is the amount due to each creditor;

129
 (b) the persons entitled upon intestacy.

(6) If during the inquiry under this rule it appears that any person

genuinely claims that the deceased left a will, the court shall advise that

person to cause an application to be made under section 65 and shall either

adjourn the inquiry pending the result of any such application or if the will is

then produced to the court may proceed as though an application had been

made under rule 4 of the Deceased Estates (Wills, Inheritance and

Protection) (Small Estates) Rules.

(7) If the court decides to treat the proceedings before it as an

application for an administration grant under section 65 the summonses

issued under rule 4 shall be deemed to be written notices under section 65 for

the purposes of section 64 (3).

(8) If, at the conclusion of proceedings under subrule (7), the court

decides that the document produced to it is not a valid will of the deceased

person, it shall continue and conclude the inquiry under subrule (5) and if the

court considers that the deceased person left a valid will, it may issue a grant

under section 65 (4) after complying with section 64 (3).

130
 (9) If during the course of the inquiry it appears to the court that

the estate of the deceased person exceeds the value of a small estate in gross

value the court shall report the case to the High Court and to the Secretary to

the Commissioners for Estate Duties under section 75 (3) and await the

instructions of the High Court before making its certificate.

Announcement 5. – (1) The decision of the court shall be announced in open court and if of
decision

and appeals it is not announced immediately after the inquiry referred to in rule 4, it shall

be announced on a date of which notice has been given to the persons

claiming to be interested in the property of the deceased and immediately

after announcing its decision, the court shall inform the persons aggrieved

with its decision of the right of appeal conferred by this rule.

(2) Any person claiming an interest in the institutional money in

question who is aggrieved by a decision of the court under these Rules may appeal

to the superior court than the one that made the decision.

6. A court which has announced its decision under these Rules shall
Court to certify
decision immediately thereafter complete in accordance with its decision three copies

of a certificate in Part C of Form I in the First Schedule, and shall forward

the original and one copy thereof to the District Commissioner or employer

or insurer or administrator of a provident fund who made the reference.

131
 Provided that if the court has decided that the deceased left a valid

will it shall return Form I to the District Commissioner or employer or insurer or

administrator of a provident fund endorsed accordingly.

Further duties of 7. – (1) On receipt of a certificate under rule 6, the District Commissioner
District
Commissioner or employer or insurer or administrator of a provident fund shall complete
and other
persons a request for cheques in Part B of the Form I and shall forward the request

in the First Schedule to the holder of or person liable to pay the institutional

money.

(2) When the period during which an appeal from the decision of the court
has expired, or, if any appeal has been lodged, such appeal has been
thoroughly disposed of, the District Commissioner or employer or insurer or
administrator of a provident fund shall distribute the institutional money in
question in accordance with a certificate of the court as amended by any
decision given on appeal.

Minors
8. Where any person who may be entitled to any share in any money

appears to the court to be a minor the court may waive his or her attendance

in person and may appoint such responsible person to represent him or her

as the court deems fit.

132
Fees 9. The fees set out in the Second Schedule shall be a first charge on any
institutional money adjudicated upon under these Rules and shall be paid

into the Consolidated Fund by the District Commissioner or employer or

insurer or administrator of a provident fund at or before the distribution of

such money.

FIRST SCHEDULE

DECEASED ESTATES (WILLS, INHERITANCE AND PROTECTION) ACT

(CAP. 10:02)

DECEASED ESTATES (WILLS, INHERITANCE AND PROTECTION) ACT

(INSTITUTIONAL MONEY) RULES

In the matter of ……………………………………………………………………………… deceased.

PART A

To: The Magistrate

…………………………………………….. Magistrate Court,
……………………………………………..

REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATE

I am satisfied that ……………………………………………………………………………… late of

…………………………… village, Chief ………………………………, ……………………District, died
on the ………………………….. day of ………………………………….., 20….. and that there forms part
of his estate as at …………………………………………, 20…. the following institutional money-

* Holder of Money or person liable to pay: Amount

………………………………………………. K …………………………………….

The death was reported to me by ……………………………………. of …………………………….. who

claims to be related to the deceased as his …………………………………………………………

After enquiry it appears to me that the above-mentioned institutional money was not disposed of by Will.

So far as they are known to me the other facts of the case are†

Wife/Wives: ……………………………………… of ………………………………………………

……………………………………… of ………………………………………………
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 Children: ……………………………………………. Sex: ………………… Age: ……………….
……………………………………………. …………………... ………………..
……………………………………………. ………………….. ………………..
Relatives: …………………………………… of ………………………………………….
Creditors: …………………………………… of ………………………………………….
……………………………………………. of ………………………………………….
Property other than institutional money ………………………………………………………………….

I request you to CERTIFY to me in Part C of this Form who is entitled to the institutional money and what
portion of it is payable to each.

Signed ……………………………………………………..
District Commissioner/Insurer/Administrator of a
Provident Fund/Employer
Date: …………………………………………… ………………………………………. District

NOTES: * If money is in an account quote account number as well as name of the holder: For example
“Stanbic Bank Account Number 0140001907300, Capital City Branch”.

†If there is insufficient room on this Form for all the names a separate list should be attached which should
contain sufficient information to identify it with the original Form and should be signed by the District
Commissioner or employer or the insurer or the administrator of a provident fund.

PART B
REQUEST FOR PAYMENT

TO: ………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..

In accordance with section 63 (3) (g) of the Deceased Estates (Wills, Inheritance and Protection) Act, I
hereby request you to send to me a separate cheque payable to each of the adult persons shown in the
certificate at Part C for the amount shown to be payable plus a proportionate share, as nearly as is
practicable, of any interest which may have accrued.
In the case of any person who is shown to be a minor the cheque is to be made payable to the Government
of Malawi.
In return herewith with the relevant passbook or other evidence that the money is payable as under:- *(a)
Passbook No. ……………….
*(b) ………………………………..
………………………………..

Signed: ………………………………………………….
District Commissioner/Insurer/Administrator of a
Provident Fund/Employer

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Date Stamp: …………………………………….. ………………………………………….District

NOTES: (1) *Enter description of the passbook or other documents to be sent and despatch the completed
from with covering letter drawing attention to Part B.

(2) Registered post should be used where passbook or other valuable documents are enclosed.
(3) Before sending this Form check that the totals of the amounts shown in Part C for the shares under
Items A, B, C and D add up to the total amount of institutional money available.
(4) If there are any queries on the certified distribution District Commissioners or employer or insurer or
administrator off a Provident Fund should refer the matter to the appropriate courts with details.

PART C
CERTIFICATE OF ENTITLEMENT

To: The District Commissioner or employer or insurer or the Adminstrator of a Provident Fund*,
Probate Cause No. ……………………………… 20…….. ………………………….. District Certificate
issued by the …………………………………………………. Magistrate Court.
This is to certify that the Court has investigated the question of who is entitled to the money referred to in
Part “A” of this Form and on the ………………………………………… day of
…………………………., 20…….. decided as follows:

Total amount of institutional money .. .. .. .. K …………………

Amount payable to-

A. The Government of Malawi as fee under rule 9 .. .. ..

B. Creditors as follows-
(I) ……………………… of ……………………… K …………………. K ………………..
(II) ……………………… of ……………………… K ………………….
(III) ……………………… of ……………………… K ………………….

TOTAL FOR CREDITORS K…………… K ……………

Balance available .. .. K …………………

The balance is payable-

C. As to the immediate family as follows-

Relationship
Name Address and Age† Amount

(I) ……………………… …………………… ………………………. K…………………

(II) ……………………… …………………… ………………………. K…………………

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(III) ……………………… …………………… ………………………. K…………………
(IV) ……………………… …………………… ………………………. K…………………
(V) ……………………… …………………… ………………………. K…………………

TOTAL FOR IMMEDIATE FAMILY K…………………

D. As to the dependants as follows-

Relationship
Name Address and Age† Amount

(I) ……………………… …………………… ………………………. K…………………

(II) ……………………… …………………… ………………………. K…………………
(III) ……………………… …………………… ………………………. K…………………
(IV) ……………………… …………………… ………………………. K…………………
(V) ……………………… …………………… ………………………. K…………………
TOTAL FOR DEPENDANTS .. .. K………………

E. As to other relations and beneficiaries as follows-

Relationship
Name Address and Age† Amount

(I) ……………………… …………………… ………………………. K…………………

(II) ……………………… …………………… ………………………. K…………………
(III) ……………………… …………………… ………………………. K…………………
(IV) ……………………… …………………… ………………………. K…………………
(V) ……………………… …………………… ………………………. K…………………

TOTAL FOR OTHER RELATIONS AND BENEFICIARIES .. .. K………………

Dated this ………………………………………………… day of ………………………… 20……

Court Seal:
Signed: ……………………….…….
Registrar/Magistrate

NOTES: (1) * Delete as applicable under First Schedule to the Act.

(2) †Always show age where beneficiary is under 21 years of age, otherwise write “adult”.
(3) When Part C has been completed in triplicate the original and 1 copy should be returned to the
District Commissioner or employer or insurer or administrator of a provident fund from whom the
Form was received. 1 copy at the court.
(4) Only the Registrar or Magistrate may sign Part C of this Form.
(5) If there are more creditors or beneficiaries than can be shown in the space available on this Form a
separate list may be attached, signed by the Registrar or Magistrate, but the total amount for the item
must be shown on the Form.

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 REPUBLIC OF MALAWI FORM II
DECEASED ESTATES (WILLS, INHERITANCE AND PROTECTION) ACT
(INSTITUTIONAL MONEY) RULES

In the ……………………………… Magistrate court sitting at …………………………………….

Probate Cause No. …………………….. of 20……..
In the matter of the Estate of ……………………………………………………………… deceased.

CIVIL SUMMONS

To: ……………………………………
……………………………………

You are ordered to come to the court House at ………………………………………………….. on the

…………………………….. day of …………………………………, 20….. at ………………. a.m. to
inform the court-

(a) whether you claim to be interested in any part of the institutional money or other property
of the above-named deceased;

(b) regarding the affairs of the said deceased.

If you fail to come to court a decision regarding the distribution of such institutional money may be given
in your absence.

Dated this …………………………………… day of …………………………………………. 20….

SEAL OF COURT

…………………………………
Registrar/Magistrate

SECOND SCHEDULE

For adjudicating entitlement to institutional money .. .. K10 for each K1,000 of the institutional money
in question:

Provided that-

no fee shall be payable if such money is less than

K50,000; and

no fee under this item shall exceed K50,000.

_________________________

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 ESTATE DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 20…

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

SECTION

1. Short title.

2. Replacement of the Schedule to Cap. 43:02

A BILL
entitled

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 An Act to amend the Estate Duty Act

ENACTED by the Parliament of Malawi as follows –

Short 1. This Act may be cited as the Estate Duty (Amendment) Act, 20… title

Replacement 2. The Estate Duty Act is amended by deleting the Schedule and of
Schedule
to Cap. 43:02 replacing it as follows –

“SCHEDULE s.4

The rates per centum of estate duty shall be according to the following scale –

Rate per cent.

Where the principal value of the estate

does not exceed K1,000,000 Nil

exceeds K1,000,000 but does not exceed K1,500,000 4

exceeds K1,500,000 but does not exceed K3,000,000 5

exceeds K3,000,000 but does not exceed K5,000,000 6

exceeds K5,000,000 but does not exceed K7,500,000 7

exceeds K7,500,000 but does not exceed K15,000,000 8

exceeds K15,000,000 but does not exceed K25,000,000 9

exceeds K25,000,000 10.”.

OBJECTS AND REASONS

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 The object of this Bill is to give effect to the recommendation made by the Law

Commission in its Report on the review of the Wills and Inheritance Act (Cap. 10:02)

which identified the low level of principal values of deceased estates prescribed by the

Schedule as working against the interests of beneficiaries which results in payment of high

levels of estate duty even for relatively small estates.

Attorney General

__________________________

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