Summary: Honourable Awards & Accolades
BA.LLB (Wits). Juris Doctor (USA). TEP (Trust & Estate Practitioner).
Admitted as an Attorney in South Africa. Solicitor in England, Wales, Australia. & New Zealand. Member of The National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys of America. Attorney in Lesotho. Academician of the International Academy of Estate & Trust Law.
Recipient of “The Best Lawyer in South Africa” from 2009 to 2025 for his high caliber work in Trusts and Estates, and named “Trusts & Estates Law Expert of the Year in South Africa” by The Lawyer Network in 2025.
Introduction
Dr. Mervin Messias
Trusts | Deceased Estates |
Powers of Attorney | Estate Planning
Dr. Mervin Messias is a distinguished trust and estate law expert with over forty years of experience, recognised nationally and internationally for his expertise, leadership, and educational contributions. His career combines practical legal practice, mentorship, and authorship, shaping the field of trust law and estate planning across multiple countries.
Academic Foundation
Dr. Messias earned BA and LLB degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand, providing a strong legal and humanities background that supported his international career.
Legal Practice & Foundation
With over four decades as an attorney and notary public, he developed a specialist trust consultancy known for clarity and depth in trusts, estates, and fiduciary duties.
Professional Leadership
He served on the South African Law Society Trusts and Estates Committee and chaired the Johannesburg branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) for twelve years, also contributing as Lead Editor for the STEP Directory and Yearbook.
Recognitions
Dr. Messias holds the Master Tax Practitioner designation from SAIT, and was admitted as a member of The Fiduciary Institute of Southern Africa, and is internationally admitted as a solicitor in England, Wales, Australia, New Zealand, and an attorney in Lesotho.
International Affiliations
He is part of the US National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys and an Academician of the International Academy of Estate and Trust Law, reflecting global recognition. Member of the Association of European Attorneys / AEA International Lawyers Network.
Awards & Honours
Named among the “Best Lawyers for Trusts and Estates” for seventeen consecutive years, from 2009 to 2025, and “Trusts & Estates Law Expert of the Year in South Africa” by The Lawyer Network in 2025, highlighting his sustained excellence.
Authorship
Messias authored six influential books covering living trusts, estate administration and powers of attorney aimed at both professionals and the public to enhance understanding and preparedness.
Legacy & Ongoing Impact
He is recognised for fostering responsibility and transparency in trust law, and mentoring professionals in his areas of expertise.
Personalised Consulting for High-Net-Worth Individuals
in Trusts, Deceased Estates, Powers of Attorney and Estate Planning.
Dr. Mervin Messias can assist you in ensuring that your legacy is safeguarded
and expertly structured for yourself and for your loved ones.
Schedule a consultation today!
Disclaimer:
Dr Messias only offers tax advice incidental to Trusts.
Acclaimed Author
Why everyone needs these books
If you’re looking for clear, practical guidance in the often-complicated field of estate planning, Dr. Mervin Messias’s books are an invaluable resource. Drawing on decades of expertise, his work demystifies the intricacies of Trusts and Deceased Estates, making these topics accessible and straightforward.
Whether you are a professional adviser or simply want to manage your legacy with confidence, Dr. Messias’s books offer proven strategies and expert advice honed over more than 40 years of real-world experience. Recognised locally and internationally, his publications stand out for their reliability and depth.
By learning from his distinguished career, you empower yourself to make informed decisions about your estate. Secure your future by investing in the trusted knowledge that has guided so many before you.
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