If a will was left behind

Steps to take after discovering the deceased’s will

Important next steps

The will should generally include:

  • a list of all the deceased’s assets

  • the people who will benefit from the will

  • what and how much each person will receive

  • who will manage the estate and carry out the will (also known as an executor, or executors if there’s more than 1 executor)

If you’ve been appointed to carry out the will, you’ll have to:

Step number 1

Gather a list of the deceased’s assets

The total value of the assets determines your next steps.

Refer to the checklist of assets to help you get started, especially when you need to submit a Schedule of Assets.

Step number 2

Apply for a Grant of Probate

This gives the executors legal authority to manage and distribute the deceased’s estate according to the will.

You’ll need to apply within 6 months from the deceased’s date of death. If you’re filing after 6 months, you’ll need to include the reason for delay in the application form.

According to the law, the executor must:

  • be 21 years old and above (based on the exact date of birth)

  • be of sound mind

  • not be undischarged bankrupt at the time of application for the Grant of Probate

Step number 3

Pay off outstanding taxes, loans, and debts

Learn more about the liabilities that have to be paid off before assets can be distributed .

Step number 4

Distribute assets according to the will

The executor is responsible for the distribution of the deceased person's estate and may be held liable for not fulfilling their duties according to the law.

If an executor is named in the will

An executor is someone named in the will or codicil as the person nominated to distribute the deceased's estate. A codicil is a legal document used to update or modify a will. There can be multiple executors named.

If there is more than one executor, all executors would typically put in a joint application.

Duties of an executor

  • Apply to the court for a Grant of Probate to obtain the legal right to distribute the deceased's estate according to the will.

  • Pay off any outstanding debts, bills or taxes.

  • Account for the distribution of the estate. If the executor does not carry out their duties, they may be held liable according to the law.

If you’re an executor, it’s not compulsory to have a lawyer help you file an application for a Grant of Probate. However, you can engage a lawyer if you need help with the application or need legal advice.

How to apply for a Grant of Probate

If the estate is worth $2 million or less, and you're the only executor named in the will

You can apply using the Probate eService . Singpass login will be required. To use this, you’ll need to meet some requirements, such as:

  • You’re the only executor named in the will.

  • The deceased must be a Singapore citizen or permanent resident.

  • The deceased must not be Muslim.

Go to the Probate eService page for the full list of requirements.

If you’re not eligible to use the Probate eService

If you do not have a lawyer helping with your application, you can visit the Singapore Courts’ Service Bureau to submit your prepared documents. You’ll need to book an appointment before going.

Seeking assistance from the Public Trustee’s office

The executors may apply to the Public Trustee’s office for assistance to administer the estate. The Public Trustee will assess every request on its own merits, taking into account factors such as the nature, complexity and value of the estate, and may decline to assist depending on the circumstances.

Which court to file the application in

For estates worth up to $5 million, file the application with the Family Courts.

For estates worth above $5 million, file the application with the Family Division of the High Court.

If there’s no executor

In a will, there may be situations when there’s no one left to execute the estate. This may happen if:

  • there is no executor appointed by the will

  • the executor named in the will decides not to be one and renounces their rights legally

  • the executor is no longer able to carry out their duties (for example, due to death, incapacity, or bankruptcy, etc.)

In these situations, beneficiaries named in the will must:

  1. Apply for the Letters of Administration with will annexed.

  2. Become the administrator of the estate.

  3. Distribute the estate according to the will.

The process of applying for Letters of Administration with will annexed is similar to applying for Letters of Administration .

How to apply for Letters of Administration

If you do not wish to be an executor

If you’re named as an executor in a will but do not want to handle the responsibilities, you have the right to refuse the position. This is called renouncing . By doing so, you:

  • formally give up your legal right to be the executor and to apply for the Grant of Probate

  • will not be responsible for managing the estate

How to officially renounce your position

  1. Make a verbal statement at the court hearing for the Grant of Probate. You or your lawyer can do this.

  2. Sign a formal document called a “Renunciation” in the presence of your lawyer or a commissioner for oaths.