Singapore Probate Lawyers — Loh Eben Ong LLP

A straightforward, uncontested probate application in Singapore typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from the date of filing to extraction of the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. This timeline covers the court's processing time at the Family Justice Courts after all documents have been filed. The overall duration, however, depends on several factors: how quickly the applicant gathers the required documents (original Will, death certificate, asset details), whether the court raises any requisitions or queries, and whether any caveats have been filed against the estate. Complex estates involving multiple properties, overseas assets, or disputes among beneficiaries may take 3 to 6 months or longer. Loh Eben Ong LLP handles probate applications on an uncontested basis. See our step-by-step probate process guide for full details on each stage.

The cost of probate in Singapore has three parts: legal fees, court fees payable to the Family Justice Courts, and disbursements such as search and extraction fees. Fees depend on the type of grant, the value of the estate, the deceased's domicile and any additional work required, such as translations or foreign-law evidence. We confirm the scope and fees after reviewing your information. Use our probate quote form for an estimate.

An executor is the person named in the deceased's Will to carry out the instructions in the Will and administer the estate. The executor derives authority from the Will itself and applies for a Grant of Probate from the Family Justice Courts. An administrator is appointed by the court when there is no Will, or when the named executor is unable or unwilling to act. The administrator applies for Letters of Administration instead. Both have the same legal duty: to collect the estate's assets, pay all outstanding debts and liabilities, and distribute the remainder to the beneficiaries — either according to the Will (executor) or the Intestate Succession Act 1967 (administrator). Both must be at least 21 years old. Learn more on our probate services page.

Whether probate is required for a small estate in Singapore depends on the types of assets held and the policies of the institutions holding them. A bank, insurer or other institution may require a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration before releasing assets held in the deceased's sole name; the answer depends on the institution and on how the assets are held. Property, such as an HDB flat or private property in the deceased's sole name, generally requires a Grant. If the estate does not exceed $50,000, check whether the Public Trustee's Office can administer it before applying for a grant. Eligibility conditions and exclusions apply; the value alone is not enough. Contact us to discuss the best approach for your specific situation.