A grant of probate in Singapore is issued when there is a valid will, giving the executor authority to manage the estate. A letter of administration applies when there is no will, and the court appoints an administrator.

In Singapore, the two main legal processes for managing a deceased person’s estate are the grant of probate and the letter of administration. The difference lies in whether the deceased left behind a valid will. Families often seek help from a probate lawyer Singapore to understand which applies to their situation.

Key Takeaways

A grant of probate Singapore applies when the deceased left a valid will.
A letter of administration Singapore applies when there is no will.
Executors manage estates under a will, while administrators are appointed by the court.
Both processes involve clearing debts before distributing assets.
Legal guidance helps avoid delays and disputes.

What is a Grant of Probate?

A grant of probate Singapore is a court order that gives the executor named in a will the authority to handle the estate. The executor’s duties include:

Collecting assets (bank accounts, property, investments).
Settling debts and taxes.
Distributing assets according to the will.

Without the grant, executors cannot legally deal with banks or property authorities.

What is a Letter of Administration?

A letter of administration Singapore is issued when a person passes away without a valid will. In this case, the court appoints an administrator, usually a close relative, to manage the estate.

The administrator distributes assets according to the Intestate Succession Act, which sets out who inherits and in what proportion. Unlike probate, there are no personal wishes from the deceased to follow, which sometimes leads to disputes.


Feature	Grant of Probate	Letter of Administration
Will	Required	Not required
Authority	Executor named in the will	Court-appointed administrator
Distribution	According to will	According to intestacy law
Likelihood of disputes	Lower (if will is clear)	Higher (no will to guide)

Why Does This Matter?

Understanding whether you need a (grant of probate) or a letter of administration is important because it determines:

Who manages the estate.
How quickly assets can be released.
Whether distribution follows the deceased’s wishes or default law.

Families without legal guidance often face delays due to incomplete paperwork or disputes among beneficiaries. Engaging a probate lawyer Singapore helps ensure the right process is followed smoothly.

Conclusion

The main difference between a grant of probate and a letter of administration in Singapore is whether a valid will exists. Probate gives the named executor authority to act, while administration involves the court appointing someone to manage the estate under intestacy law.

If you are unsure which process applies to your case, our team can guide you through every step. Contact us at 8780 2499 or connect via Facebook and Instagram.

FAQ

Probate in Singapore is the legal process that confirms whether a will is valid and appoints an executor to manage the estate. Without a grant of probate, banks, government agencies, and other institutions will not release or transfer the deceased’s assets.
On average, the probate process in Singapore takes 6 to 12 months, depending on factors like the clarity of the will, number of assets, and whether any disputes arise among beneficiaries.
While not mandatory, engaging a probate lawyer Singapore is highly recommended. They help prepare court documents, ensure compliance with legal requirements, and reduce delays caused by incomplete or incorrect filings.