Property Grabbing and Protecting Your Family

Property grabbing — where the deceased's relatives seize assets from the surviving spouse and children — remains a real problem in Zimbabwe despite being illegal. The deceased's brothers or extended family may attempt to take the house, car, livestock, or savings, particularly in cases where the marriage was under customary law or unregistered. The Deceased Persons Family Maintenance Act and the Administration of Estates Act both protect the surviving spouse's right to the matrimonial home and household goods. Practical steps to protect your family: 1) Write a will (both UK and Zimbabwe). 2) Register your marriage if it's currently only customary/unregistered. 3) Ensure property title deeds are in joint names or clearly willed. 4) Name a trusted executor in your will. 5) Keep copies of all important documents (marriage certificate, title deeds, will) in a safe place your spouse can access AND with a trusted person or lawyer. 6) Communicate your wishes to your family — this sounds obvious but many property-grabbing cases occur because nobody knew the deceased's intentions.