Probate & Estate Administration Services in Singapore
“The best way to honor a loved one’s legacy is to ensure their wishes are carried out with care and diligence.”
– Inspired by John Allston
Grant of Probate in Singapore – What You Need to Know
When a loved one passes away leaving behind a valid will, the executor named in the will must obtain a Grant of Probate from the Singapore courts to legally manage and distribute the estate. This process ensures that the deceased’s assets are distributed according to their wishes. At Bhavini S Law Practice, we guide executors through every step, from filing the necessary court documents to executing the will efficiently, ensuring compliance with Singapore’s probate laws.
Letters of Administration – Handling Estates Without a Will
If someone passes away without a valid will, their estate must be managed under Letters of Administration, which appoints a legal representative—usually a next of kin—to handle asset distribution according to the Intestate Succession Act. This process can be complex, but our experienced team simplifies it by assisting clients in navigating legal requirements, ensuring the rightful beneficiaries receive their entitlements without unnecessary delays.
Estate Administration Made Simple with Expert Legal Support
Managing an estate can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our legal team provides clear, step-by-step guidance on estate proceedings, probate applications, and asset distribution, ensuring a smooth and stress-free process.
Estate Proceedings in Singapore
We can represent you in the following applications under the Probate & Administration Act 1934, section 27(1) Civil Law Act Chapter 43 and section 10 of the legitimacy Act 1934.
Grant of Probate
Grant of Probate.
Grant of Probate where a Will has been lost or mislaid after the death of the testator, or where a Will cannot for any sufficient reason be produced.
Grant of Probate where a Will has been destroyed, otherwise than by the act or with the consent of the testator.
Grant of Probate where a Codicil of the Will is propounded after probate has been granted.
Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration with copy annexed of authenticated copy of Will proved abroad and deposited outside Singapore.
Letters of Administration
Grant of Letters of Administration with Will annexed on failure of executor.
Limited Grant of Letters of Administration with Will annexed to an Attorney of an executor appointed by a Will who is absent from Singapore.
Limited Grant of Letters of Administration with Will annexed to Attorney of an absent person entitled to letters of administration.
Limited Grant of Letters of Administration until the Will or an authenticated copy thereof is produced.
Grant of Letters of Administration on intestacy when a person has died intestate.
Grant of Letters of Administration to Attorney of person entitled where the person entitled to the grant of letters of administration in case of intestacy is absent from Singapore.
Limited Grant of Letters of Administration pending probate action.
Limited Grant of Letters of Administration during infancy until the infant obtains a grant to himself/herself.
Limited Grant of Letters of Administration in relation to persons lacking mental capacity until that person ceases to lack mental capacity and obtains a grant to himself or herself.
Grant of Letters of Administration limited to trust property where a person dies, leaving property in which he had no beneficial interest on his own account, and does not leave a representative who is able and willing to act.
Grant of Letters of Administration De Bonis Non where some part of the deceased’s estate unadministered by reason of the administrator’s death or incapacity.
Resealing
Resealing of Foreign Grant of Probate issued in a Commonwealth country.
Resealing of Foreign Grant of Letters of Administration issued in a Commonwealth country.
Grant of Letters of Administration Where Interest Is Established Under Section 27(3) of the Civil Law Act, Chapter 43
Grant of Letters of Administration in a bona vacantia estate where interest is established under a moral and equitable claim in section 27(3) of the Civil Law Act.
Grant of Letters of Administration Under Section 10 of the Legitimacy Act 1934
Grant of Letters of Administration in a claim is established under section 10 of the Legitimacy Act 1934 where the right of illegitimate child and mother of illegitimate child to succeed on intestacy of the other.
Estate Administration in Singapore
We assist Administrators, Trustees and Beneficiaries in the administration of the estate of a deceased after a Grant is obtained to ensure that the Administrators / Trustees duties are responsibly discharged, and the beneficiaries of the estate receive their lawful entitlement in the estate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Probate & Administration
What is the difference between a grant of probate and a grant of letters of administration?
If a deceased person made a Will in his lifetime, an application for a grant of probate must be filed to administer and distribute the deceased’s assets to the beneficiaries.
If a deceased person died without making a Will or if the deceased person’s Will is challenged and declared null and void by a Court, an application for a grant of letters of administration must be filed to administer and distribute the deceased’s assets to the beneficiaries.
Why must I apply for a grant of probate when I am appointed as the Executor in the Will?
An application for a grant of probate is the legal procedure of validating a deceased person’s Will and appointing the executor(s) named in the Will to administer the estate.
What is a grant of Letters of administration with Will annexed?
Where —
a. no executor is appointed by a Will;
b. the executor or all the executors appointed by Will are legally incapable of acting as such (e.g. below 21 years old or an undischarged bankrupt), or have renounced;
c. no executor survives the testator;
d. all the executors die before obtaining probate or before having administered all the estate of the deceased; or
e. the executors appointed by any Will do not appear and extract probate, a grant of letters of administration with the Will annexed may be granted to such person or persons as the court considers the fittest to administer the estate.
This can be a complicated process and it is highly recommended that you seek legal representation. Contact us if you are facing a similar situation.
I was born out of wedlock and am an illegitimate child of my late mother. She married John when I was in my teens. They did not have any children from their marriage nor was I legally adopted after their marriage. John died in 2018. My mother died in 2024 without making a Will. Am I entitled to inherit my mother’s HDB flat?
You may be entitled to inherit your late mother’s HDB flat as a beneficiary under Section 10 of the Legitimacy Act 1934. This can be a challenging process, and it is highly recommended that you seek legal representation. Contact us if you are facing a similar situation. We can help.
The Supreme Court of Victoria in Australia has issued a Grant of Probate in my name for my late mother’s estate. I would like to apply to Reseal the Grant of Probate in Singapore to administer the bank accounts she maintained in Singapore. I reside in the United States. Do I have to be physically present in Singapore during the Resealing proceedings?
No. You can be represented by a lawyer throughout the process of obtaining the Memorandum of Resealing from the Singapore court. Contact us if you are facing a similar situation. We can help.
My father was domiciled in Indonesia at the time of his death. He died without making a Will. He has a bank account in his sole name with Citibank Singapore. I am advised that I need an AFFIDAVIT OF FOREIGN LAW when I file the application for a grant of letters of administration in Singapore. I cannot reseal the grant of letters of administration I have obtained from Indonesia. Can you help?
Yes, as Indonesia is not part of the Commonwealth you will not be able to Reseal the grant you have obtained in Indonesia. We can guide your foreign lawyer and advise him when he drafts the Affidavit of Foreign Law.
We have experience in assisting guiding and reviewing the Affidavit of Foreign Law deposed by foreign estate lawyers from Phillippines Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Italy, Paraguay, the United States of America, Switzerland, Norway, and the Netherlands.
Contact us if you are facing a similar situation. We can help.