Absent executors

Whatever you do, do not appoint Sanlam as the executors of your deceased estate. A friend of ours is going through untold problems after her husband passed away. It is now 6 months, and they still have not procured the letter appointing them as 'executors of the deceased estate' meanwhile the widow is going through a lot of financial problems. Their house in the deceased estate needs to be sold as she cannot afford the monthly expenses. She has instructed an estate agent to sell the property, but no contract can be drawn up until the 'letter of appointment as executors' has been received, which Sanlam is failing to obtain. She desperately needs to rent/sell the house and move in with her daughter but is not getting any assistance/guidance from Sanlam as to what she is allowed to do, or not. Now after 6 months she gets a letter from the Sanlam representative advising her that he is leaving their employment clouding the whole issue even further. This is the time when the deceased's family need support from the appointed executors, but nothing forthcoming from Sanlam. Stay away from these people if you do not want to subject your spouse/family to more drama.