Grant of Letters of Administration application process
File the application
The intended administrator must prepare documents to submit with the application. A lawyer can help with this.
Submit supporting documents by the court’s deadline
After the application is filed, the court will provide the administrator with a probate case number, deadlines to submit documents, and a hearing date.
Receive the Grant of Letters of Administration
After all the required documents have been filed and submitted, the court will issue the Grant of Letters of Administration.
Apply for Letters of Administration
There are 2 ways you can apply for the Grant of Letters of Administration, also known as the Letters of Administration:
By engaging a lawyer — as there are many documents you’ll need to file and submit to the court.
By yourself — you may refer to the Family Justice Courts website for more information.
If you choose to engage a lawyer, they’ll be able to help you with:
Filing the application for Grant of Letters of Administration
Submitting supporting documents
Receiving the Grant of Letters of Administration
With the Grant of Letters of Administration, administrators will be able to approach various institutions and request for access to the deceased's assets.
File the application
Your lawyer will prepare and file the documents needed for the Grant of Letters of Administration.
Originating Application
Digital death certificate of the deceased, or a certified true copy
Digital or certified true copy of death certificates of the deceased's other next-of-kin, where applicable
Renunciation forms, if beneficiaries with prior right chooses not to apply for the Grant of Letters of Administration
Documents to bring
Before meeting with the lawyer, the intended administrator should bring:
Digital death certificate of the deceased, or original hardcopy death certificate
Information on the deceased’s religion and place of residence
Digital or original hardcopy death certificate of the deceased's next-of-kin (where applicable)
The intended administrator’s NRIC or passport
A list of all the assets and liabilities owned by the deceased with supporting documents (for example, bank statements, insurance policies, tax invoices) — refer to the checklist of assets for guidance
Muslim Inheritance Certificate from Syariah Court, if the deceased is Muslim
Submit supporting documents by the court’s deadline
Once the application for the Grant of Letters of Administration has been filed with the required documents, the court will provide you with:
a probate case number
deadlines to submit documents
a hearing date
You must submit these documents by the deadline given by the court:
Administration Oath
Supporting Affidavit (this document is where you confirm on oath that the information and documents you have submitted to the court are true and accurate)
Schedule of Assets
If you need more time to prepare the documents, you may ask the court for more time to do so. This is subject to the court’s approval.
If your Schedule of Assets is not ready
The court may grant an Order-in-Terms using the affidavit. When the Schedule of Assets is ready, you can submit it along with another affidavit.
When 2 sureties are required
If any beneficiaries are under 21 or lack mental capacity, the court will require 2 sureties. They must be Singapore citizens or permanent residents, with assets equal to or more than the deceased’s estate.
If you cannot get 2 sureties
You must file an affidavit asking the court to remove this requirement. In the affidavit, you must explain the steps that will be taken to protect these beneficiaries’ interests. If approved by the court, you’ll need to sign an Administration Bond.
If there are any issues with the documents, you’ll have to attend the hearing as fixed.
What the administrator must do after receiving the Letters of Administration
Pay off the deceased's outstanding taxes, loans, funeral, and legal expenses—also known as their liabilities.
Distribute the remaining estate according to the Intestate Succession Act 1967.
Distribution rules according to the Intestate Succession Act 1967
For non-Muslims, the distribution of the estate according to the Intestate Succession Act 1967 determines:
who the eligible beneficiaries are
the proportion of the estate that each beneficiary will receive
To distribute the property, the administrator should find out:
who the surviving beneficiaries are
how it’ll be distributed to the surviving beneficiaries
Surviving beneficiaries | Surviving beneficiaries |
|---|---|
Only spouse | Spouse is entitled to the whole of the estate. |
Only parents | Parents are entitled to the whole of the estate, to be divided equally between them. |
Spouse and children | Spouse is entitled to half of the estate. The other half is distributed equally amongst the children. |
Only children | Children are entitled to the estate, to be split equally amongst them. If any of the children is deceased, the grandchildren can claim their parent's share accordingly. |
Spouse and parents | Spouse is entitled to half of the estate. The other half is distributed equally between the parents. |
Only brothers and/or sisters | Brothers and sisters are entitled to the estate, to be split equally amongst them. If any brother or sister is deceased, then the children of any deceased brother or sister shall be entitled to such share accordingly. |
Only grandparents | Grandparents are entitled to the estate, to be split equally amongst them. |
Only uncles and/or aunts | Uncles and aunts are entitled to the estate, to be split equally amongst them. |
All of the above scenarios do not apply | Government is entitled to the estate. |
Read more about the Intestate Succession Act 1967 at the Public Trustee's Office (PTO) website.