Affordable Probate Lawyers

The Grant of Probate

If the deceased person left a will, executors must apply for a Grant of Probate. The process is as follows:

• The executor is the person named in the will;
• The executor will apply to the court for the Grant of Probate.
• The executor pays off the deceased person’s liabilities and distributes the assets according to the will.
• The Grant of Probate must be applied for within six months of the deceased’s death.

Letters of Administration

If the deceased person did not leave behind a will, an application for Letters of Administration must be made.

• The administrator is a person appointed by the court to manage and distribute the estate of a deceased person according to the Intestate Succession Act.
• Generally, the deceased’s immediate family members may appoint one of the family members to apply for the Letters of Administration. For example, based on the order of priority, if the children of the deceased wish to be administrator(s), the deceased’s surviving spouse should renounce their right to apply for Letters of Administration.
• At least two administrators must be appointed if one or more estate beneficiaries are below 21 years of age.
• The estate administrator(s) will have to pay off the deceased’s outstanding taxes, loans, funeral and legal expenses.
• After the administrator has paid off the deceased’s outstanding liabilities, they must distribute the remaining estate according to the Intestate Succession Act.

What do we do?

Our probate lawyers will explain and guide you through all aspects of probate and estate administration. Where the deceased has died intestate (without a will), we will advise you on dealing with the Letters of Administration.

Once the Court has issued the Grant of Probate or the Grant of Letters of Administration, you may then bring this Grant to the various institutions (e.g. banks, the Housing & Development Board (“HDB”), insurance companies) to claim the assets and to distribute them.