How to Avoid Probate in Kenya

One common question was, ‘Can I avoid drawing a will and still maintain control over my estate upon my demise?’ We found it important to address this pertinent issue.

Death is inevitable, and it is essential to plan for the future, particularly regarding your property (estate). It is imprudent to live without making arrangements for how your property will devolve upon death. Such plans ensure that dependents and next of kin are well provided for, and the wishes of the deceased are respected.

The Law of Succession Act provides rules for writing a valid and enforceable will, as well as the rules for the succession of an intestate’s estate. However, Kenyan courts have often declared wills invalid or revoked them, rendering the deceased person intestate. The main disadvantage of dying intestate is the loss of control over property upon death, exposing next of kin to the arbitrary rules of intestacy and potential disputes among family members.

Fortunately, the law provides other means to maintain control over estates upon death without writing a will or dying intestate. These include survivorship, nomination, family trusts, and donatio mortis causa (gifts in contemplation of death).

1. Survivorship

In re Estate of Johnson Njogu Gichohi (Deceased) [2018] EKLR, the court stated that property can pass upon death other than by will through survivorship, particularly in cases of joint tenancies. Section 91(4) of the Land Registration Act, CAP 300 states that in joint tenancies, a co-owner’s interest automatically passes to the surviving tenant upon death by virtue of the principle of survivorship. Section 43 of the Law of Succession Act adds that in the event of simultaneous deaths, it is presumed that the younger person survives the older person, and for spouses, it is presumed they died simultaneously.

2. Nomination

A nomination is a direction by a nominator to a trustee holding an investment to pay the funds to a nominee upon the nominator’s death. In Kenya, nominations are common for savings and investments in cooperative societies and provident pension schemes. Nominations take effect upon death and are not subject to the law of succession. They can be revoked by a later nomination, subsequent marriage of the nominator, or the death of the nominee before the nominator. However, a nomination cannot be revoked by a subsequent will or codicil.

3. Family Trusts

A Family Trust is created by a Settlor through a Trust Deed, instructing a Trustee to manage assets for the benefit of the Beneficiary. Section 3D of the Trustees (Perpetual Succession) Act, 2021 Cap 164 defines a family trust, which can be living (inter vivos) or testamentary. The advantages of family trusts include avoiding probate, benefiting unrelated persons, protecting assets from creditors, benefiting multiple generations, and imposing restrictions on beneficiaries. Trusts are also valuable for estate and tax planning.

4. Donatio Mortis Causa (Gifts in Contemplation of Death)

For a gift in contemplation of death to be valid, as outlined in Cain v Moon {1896} 2 QB 283 and Section 31 of the Law of Succession Act, it must be given because of a present illness or imminent danger, be conditional upon the donor’s death, be delivered to the donee, be capable of making the subject matter of donation mortis causa, and the donee must survive the donor.

Contact Us

We at WKA Advocates have a dedicated Real Estate and Succession Planning department. If you have any questions or require assistance in avoiding probate, drawing up your family trust, or will, kindly feel free to contact us by email at info@wka.co.ke.

We hope this information helps you understand the ways to avoid probate in Kenya and maintain control over your estate upon death. Please note that this newsletter provides a general guide to the subject matter and should not be relied upon without legal advice.

For further information or legal assistance, contact us at info@wka.co.ke, visit wakilihub.co.ke/, or call +254 798 03 580. Our office is located at Nairobi Hub: Parklands, Valley View Business Park, 6th Floor, City Park Drive, Off Limuru Road.