In South Africa, if you do not have an Antenuptial contract you will automatically be married In Community of Property.
This type of marriage contract results in a joint estate. It also means that neither partner has any financial or legal autonomy from the other. From a practical perspective an In Community of Property marital status means that opening bank accounts, signing legal documents, buying and selling of property and other items all have to be done together.
In addition, should you or your partner become insolvent or die with an insolvent estate, the solvent partner could be negatively affected because all of the combined assets and belongings may be attached to pay off outstanding debt.
An In Community of Property marriage contract means that when you or your partner dies, all of your assets, finances and belongings (your estate) forms part of the administration of the deceased estate. This means that the surviving spouse will have to wait until the Estate Administration process is complete before they have access to their money again.
This can take months or even years.