Islamic Inheritance Law in Singapore: Getting the Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration for a Muslim Estate
Introduction: How are Muslim Estates Distributed? In Singapore, the Intestate Succession Act does not apply to Muslim estates. Muslim estates must be distributed according to Islamic inheritance laws, which is provided for under the Administration of Muslim Law Act (“AMLA”). Islamic inheritance law, otherwise known as Farā’id, governs the situation when a deceased Muslim…
What is the Process of Administration of Small Estates by the Public Trustee in Singapore?
Introduction For small estates in Singapore which do not exceed the value of S$50,000, the estate can be administered by the Public Trustee without the need for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. For the avoidance of doubt, this S$50,000 does not include the debts of the Deceased. When will the Public…
What is the difference between Contentious and Non-Contentious Probate in Singapore?
We’ve established what is probate in an earlier article and now we’ll move on to the difference between contentious and non-contentious probate in Singapore. Non-contentious Probate In Singapore, the majority of probate matters are non-contentious. Most non-contentious probate matters tend to be straightforward and in most of these cases, the lawyers appointed are usually…
Resealing Foreign Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration in Singapore
Introduction Generally, after a person passes away, that person’s movable property devolves according to the law of the country in which he is domiciled while his immovable property (such as real estate) devolves according to the law of the country in which that immovable property is located. For example, if a person passes away…
How to withdraw a deceased person’s savings in Singapore without Letters of Administration or Grant of Probate
While Letters of Administration and Grant of Probate are necessary in many situations after the passing on of a deceased person in Singapore, the personal representative of the deceased person may not always need to hire a lawyer to apply for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. If you are closely related…
Can you give away the benefits of your CPF Dependants’ Protection Scheme in a Singapore Will?
As a starting point, it should be noted that the CPF Dependants’ Protection Scheme is something completely different from your CPF. You CANNOT will away the CPF monies you have accumulated over the years. These monies do NOT form part of your estate. However, the CPF Dependants’ Protection Scheme is separate from your CPF…
What can I do if I’m not sure whether the Deceased left behind a Will after passing on?
This is a situation many Singaporeans commonly find themselves in after a loved one passes away. It seems to be a cultural taboo to discuss death and financial planning after death in Singapore, and as such, many Singaporeans do not discuss with their children or other loved ones whether they’ve created a will. Frequently,…
What is required to extract Letters of Administration in Singapore when there are minor beneficiaries below the age of 21?
Under Singapore law, at least two administrators have to be appointed as long as there is a minority interest or a life interest in the estate. A minority interest means that there are beneficiaries beneath the age of 21, and a life interest generally means that the asset is given to the beneficiary for…
The DIY Guide to Drafting Your Own Will in Singapore
Introduction Don’t let anybody else tell you otherwise. You can write a will yourself for free in Singapore. Under Singapore law, there is no need to hire anyone to draft your will in Singapore. Not a lawyer. Not a will-drafting company. Not anyone. You can write a perfectly valid will yourself and if you do…
How long does it usually take to extract the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration in Singapore?
How long is this going to take? This tends to be the question that’s first and foremost on most people’s mind when they approach a probate lawyer in Singapore for the first time. In this day and age, everybody wants instant gratification. Unfortunately, extracting the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration in Singapore…
