What Are Probate Fees in Singapore? Achieving Clarity on Estate Costs
When a loved one passes away, navigating the legal process of transferring their assets, property, and settling their debts – known as the estate – can be a complex and emotional task. In Singapore, this process is generally known as probate.
Probate is the court-supervised process that confirms the legal authority to manage the deceased person’s estate:
- If there is a valid will: The executor applies for a Grant of Probate (GOP).
- If there is no valid will: The court appoints an administrator through a Grant of Letters of Administration (LOA).
In both scenarios, legal and court fees are incurred. These costs are collectively referred to as Probate Fees. The total expense depends primarily on the complexity and size of the estate, whether there are disputes, and the chosen legal counsel.
Components of Probate Fees
The total cost is generally composed of three elements:
1. Lawyer’s Professional Fees (The Largest Component)
This is the primary expense. For straightforward, uncontested matters, many law firms, including PKWA Law, offer fixed fees. This provides clients with cost certainty upfront.
For highly complex or contested cases, some firms charge by the hour or use stage-based billing. At PKWA Law, we believe in providing the certainty of a fixed fee for uncontested probate, avoiding the uncertainty of hourly billing.
2. Court and Filing Fees (Disbursements)
These are statutory charges and out-of-pocket expenses paid to external parties. They include official court filing charges, certified copies of documents, translation, searches, and commissioning fees (for swearing affidavits). These fees are generally modest and form a small fraction of the total probate cost.
3. Additional Applications
Extra applications – such as dealing with overseas assets, appointing a deputy for an incapacitated beneficiary, or applications for waiving sureties (guarantors) for an LOA – will naturally incur additional legal costs due to the extra complexity and court work required.
Typical Lawyer’s Fees in Singapore
According to Singapore Legal Advice, non-contentious probate cases typically range from S$2,000 to S$6,500 for straightforward matters.
At PKWA Law, our fees are well within this market range:
- S$1,390 – for estates under S$500,000 (no property or minors).
- S$2,390 – for estates under S$3 million.
- Larger estates – fees depend on the estate’s size and complexity.
Contested or Complex Estates
Legal fees rise significantly when there are disputes or complications such as:
- Estate value is large.
- Multiple properties.
- Disagreements among beneficiaries.
- Missing documents or hidden assets.
- Minority or incapacitated beneficiaries.
- Re-sealing of foreign grants.
- Executor / administrator is not responsive.
In such cases, fees can range from S$10,000 to S$40,000 or more, depending on how long the matter takes to resolve.
Key Factors That Affect Probate Costs
- Size of the estate – larger or multi-jurisdictional estates are more complex.
- Disputes or claims – litigation or challenges to a will increase cost.
- Incomplete records – missing information means more legal work.
- Number of parties involved – multiple executors or beneficiaries add complexity.
- Billing model – some firms charge hourly; others, like PKWA Law, offer fixed-fee certainty.
Keeping Costs Manageable
You can keep probate costs reasonable by taking these simple steps:
- Request fixed-fee quotes for straightforward cases.
- Provide complete asset details upfront to save time and cost.
- Avoid disputes where possible; consent applications are faster and cheaper.
- For very small estates, consider the Public Trustee route instead of full probate.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Probate fees in Singapore depend largely on the estate’s size and complexity, the presence of disputes, and the lawyer’s billing model.
For straightforward, uncontested matters, legal costs typically fall between S$2,000 and S$6,500 in the market, while contested or complex estates can escalate rapidly.
At PKWA Law, we keep costs low and predictable through our fixed-fee probate packages, offering families clarity and cost certainty from the start.
Ready to start the probate process?
Contact our friendly, experienced probate team today for a transparent, no-obligation fixed-fee quote.
