Frequently Asked Question

Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:45. We are closed on public holidays.

You can contact us by calling 057 391 9800 or emailing info@wessmith.co.za. You may also submit an enquiry through the contact form on our website.

Our firm is based in Welkom and serves the Free State Goldfields, but we may also assist clients outside our district through correspondent firms where required.

No. Submitting an enquiry does not automatically create an attorney-client relationship. Our office first needs to assess the nature of your enquiry, confirm whether we can assist and agree to act where appropriate.

General enquiries may be sent to info@wessmith.co.za. Our office will direct your enquiry to the appropriate person or department.

Yes. Our conveyancing team assists with property transfers for private, commercial and agricultural property matters. We guide clients through the transfer process with attention to documentation, timing, compliance and communication.

A conveyancer attends to the legal process of transferring ownership of immovable property from one party to another. This includes preparing and managing transfer documents, liaising with relevant parties and attending to registration through the appropriate legal channels.

Property transactions involve important financial and legal consequences. An experienced conveyancing attorney helps ensure that the process is handled correctly, documents are prepared properly and potential delays are managed as far as possible.

Yes. We assist first-time buyers by helping them understand the transfer and bond registration process, the documents required and the legal steps involved before registration can take place.

Yes. Our conveyancing services extend to private, commercial and agricultural property matters, depending on the nature of the transaction and the client’s instructions.

Yes. Bond registrations are one of the firm’s key areas of practice. We assist with the legal documentation and registration process required when a mortgage bond is registered over immovable property.

Yes. We assist with bond cancellations when an existing bond needs to be cancelled, commonly during a property sale, settlement of a bond or refinancing process.

Our firm serves on bond registration panels for First National Bank, Nedbank, Standard Bank and Capitec.

The information required may differ depending on the bank, property and transaction. Our team will advise you on the specific documents and details needed once the matter has been opened.

In many property transactions, the transfer and bond registration processes are linked and must be coordinated carefully. Our conveyancing team assists with the legal steps required to move the matter towards registration.

We assist with civil and commercial litigation, including contractual disputes, property disputes, shareholder and partnership conflicts, professional negligence claims and related legal proceedings.

Yes. Our litigation services may include legal advice, preparation of documents, negotiations, pre-litigation support and representation in appropriate court proceedings.

Yes. Early legal advice can help you understand your position, preserve important evidence, avoid unnecessary risk and decide on the most appropriate next step.

Where appropriate, we may explore negotiation, settlement discussions or alternative dispute resolution before formal court proceedings are pursued. The best approach depends on the facts, urgency and legal issues involved.

Bring any relevant contracts, correspondence, invoices, notices, court documents, proof of payment, photographs or written records that may help us understand the background and timeline of the dispute.

Yes. We assist with drafting wills so that your wishes are clearly recorded and your estate planning is handled with proper legal consideration.

A properly drafted will can help reduce uncertainty, guide the administration of your estate and ensure that your assets are dealt with according to your wishes, subject to applicable law.

Yes. We assist executors and beneficiaries with the administration of deceased estates, including legal steps required to manage estate assets, debts, reporting obligations and distribution processes.

Yes. We assist with the formation and administration of family trusts and advise clients on trust structures for estate planning and asset protection purposes.

A testamentary trust is created through a will and usually comes into effect after death. It may be used to provide structured management of assets for beneficiaries, including minor children or dependants.

You should consider reviewing your will after major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the purchase of property, a change in business interests or the death of a beneficiary or executor.

Yes. We assist with divorce matters and provide guidance on the legal process, documents required and related issues that may need to be addressed.

Yes. We assist with maintenance-related matters, including child maintenance and related family law issues.

Yes. Where children are involved, family law matters must be approached with care and attention to the best interests of the child. We provide guidance on the appropriate legal steps based on the circumstances.

Yes. We assist clients with legal matters involving domestic violence, harassment and related protection processes.

Yes. Family law matters often involve sensitive personal information. We treat these matters with professionalism, discretion and respect.

Yes. We assist with drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements so that obligations, risks and responsibilities are clearly recorded.

Yes. We assist with shareholder agreements, partnership-related matters and commercial arrangements involving business owners and stakeholders.

Yes. We assist with sale of business contracts, sale of shares and member’s interest agreements, depending on the structure and requirements of the transaction.

A contract can create long-term legal and financial obligations. Reviewing the agreement before signature can help identify unclear terms, risk areas and responsibilities that may need to be addressed.

Yes. We assist businesses and institutions with debt collection matters, from initial demand and negotiation to further legal steps where necessary.

Yes. We assist with mining rights, prospecting rights, mining permits and related legal processes.

Yes. We assist with Section 11 applications and cessions in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, where applicable.

Notarial execution is a formal legal process required for certain mining and prospecting rights. Our notarial services assist in ensuring that the relevant documentation is properly prepared and executed for registration purposes.

Yes. We assist with negotiating and drafting access agreements, land use agreements and servitude agreements involving landowners, farmers, mining companies, municipalities, solar farm companies and other relevant parties.

Land use agreements help clarify access, compensation, rights, responsibilities and environmental or privacy considerations between the parties involved.

Our notarial services include antenuptial contracts, servitude registrations, notarial bonds, notarial execution of mining and prospecting rights, certification of documents and apostille services.

Yes. We assist with drafting and registering antenuptial contracts to help couples define their property and financial arrangements before marriage.

Yes. We assist with apostille services and the authentication of documents for international use, where applicable.

A servitude is a legal right registered over immovable property, often relating to access, use or services. We assist with drafting and registering servitude agreements where required.

Yes. Notarial matters often require specific documents and identification. Please contact our office first so that we can advise what you need to bring.

You can start by calling 057 391 9800, emailing info@wessmith.co.za or completing the website enquiry form. Please include a brief description of the assistance you require.

Include your name, contact details, the type of legal matter and a short summary of the issue. Avoid sending highly sensitive information through the website form unless it is necessary for the enquiry.

Enquiries are handled with care and discretion. However, an attorney-client relationship is only established once the firm has agreed to act for you and the necessary engagement arrangements have been confirmed.

No online application or payment process is currently offered through the website. Please contact our office directly for assistance with your matter.

Our office will review the nature of your enquiry and direct it to the appropriate attorney, notary, conveyancing department or support team.