When the Arinze family lost their loved one, the first few weeks were focused on the usual things — visitors, arrangements, and settling into a new reality.

One evening, the immediate family gathered in the sitting room. The eldest son was there, his siblings, and a couple of close relatives. They started discussing what needed to be done.

“We’re all on the same page,” someone said.
“We’ll sort everything out ourselves.”

And it made sense. The family was close. There were no disputes. Everyone understood what their father had owned and, more or less, what he would have wanted.

A few weeks later, they went to the bank. The eldest son already had access to some of the account details. He had been involved in helping his father manage things before. So they expected the process to be straightforward. But the bank asked for documentation.

Then they tried to sort out the shares. Some dividends had not been paid over the years. Some records were clear, others were not. Names needed to be confirmed. Ownership had to be verified. Again, the same response: There was a process.

That’s when it became clear. Being a close family didn’t automatically make things easier.

Myth 1: Close Families Don’t Need Probate

A lot of people believe that if the family is united, everything can be handled informally.

“If we agree, we’ll just sort it out.”

But inheritance doesn’t work that way. Banks, Registrars, Pension Fund Administrators and other institutions don’t act on verbal understanding. They require legal authorisation before they release or transfer anything. So even if everyone agrees, there is still a formal process that needs to be followed.

Myth 2: It’s a Simple Process

Another assumption is that once there’s no disagreement, things should move quickly. But estate administration is more structured than most people expect.

It involves:
– Confirming what assets exist
– Verifying ownership
– Identifying beneficiaries
– Completing the required legal documentation

Each step has to be done properly. And depending on the situation, it can take time.

By the time the family started putting everything together, it became clear that conflict isn’t always the only issue. It was structured. Because the real question isn’t how close the family is. It’s whether there is a clear process for transferring what has been left behind.

If you’re unsure how this applies to you or where to even start from, it’s always better to get clarity early.

At Meristem Registrars and Probate  Services, we support families through this process — helping them navigate what needs to be done and access what has been left behind by their loved ones who have passed away.

Call us on 09162190091 or 08134436183 or send an email to [email protected]