Wills, probate and trusts lawyers in Singapore
Arranging your affairs, or dealing with those of someone who has died, involves personal decisions as much as legal ones. We advise on wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and trusts, take estates through probate and administration, and act when a will or an estate is in dispute.
General information on wills, probate, trusts and estate disputes in Singapore, not legal advice. For advice on your own circumstances, speak with one of our lawyers.
How we work
Senior involvement
Private client work at Linea Law is led by Kelvin Tan, a Director with three decades of practice across estates, trusts, probate litigation and corporate advisory. He is named a Recommended Lawyer in Doyle's Guide 2026 for Singapore Leading Trusts, Estates & Probate Litigation Lawyers.
Planning and disputes under one roof
We draft wills and trusts and we also act in contested estates. Seeing how documents are tested in disputes informs how we write them in the first place.
Family wealth and cross-border assets
Sara Ng also acts in high-value private client matters, including those involving family businesses and assets held in more than one country.
Clear scope and costs
We explain what a matter involves, who will work on it, and how it will be charged before any work begins.
What we advise on
We act for individuals and families at each stage, from putting plans in place to administering an estate and resolving disagreements about it.
- Wills, including wills for clients with assets overseas
- Lasting Powers of Attorney (Form 1 and Form 2)
- Grants of Probate
- Letters of Administration
- Estate administration and distribution
- Private trusts and trustee advice
- Challenges to the validity of a will
- Disputes with or between executors and administrators
- Trust disputes and claims against trustees
- Claims under the Inheritance (Family Provision) Act
Planning ahead, and what happens after a death
A summary of the main documents and court processes in Singapore. It is general information and does not cover every situation, including the separate rules that apply to Muslim estates.
The main planning documents
- Will
- Sets out who receives your assets and who will administer your estate. Under the Wills Act it must be in writing, signed by you, and signed by two witnesses present at the same time. A witness, or the spouse of a witness, should not be a beneficiary, as a gift to them may fail.
- Lasting Power of Attorney
- Made under the Mental Capacity Act, an LPA lets you appoint people to make decisions about your property and affairs and your personal welfare if you lose mental capacity. Form 1 uses standard powers; Form 2 allows tailored powers and is drafted by a lawyer. It must be certified by a certificate issuer and registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.
- Trust
- Holds assets for beneficiaries under the management of trustees. A trust can be set up during your lifetime or in your will, and can be useful for young or vulnerable beneficiaries, or for keeping family assets together over time.
- Nominations
- CPF savings are not covered by your will. They pass according to your CPF nomination. Some insurance policies also pass by nomination, so it is worth reviewing these alongside your will.
Applying for probate or letters of administration
Before an estate can be collected and distributed, someone needs the court's authority to deal with it. Where there is a valid will, the executor applies for a Grant of Probate. Where there is no valid will, a suitable person, usually a close family member, applies for Letters of Administration and the estate passes under the Intestate Succession Act. Applications are made to the Family Justice Courts.
- 1.
Gather the documents
Locate the original will, if there is one, and the death certificate, and identify the deceased's assets and liabilities.
- 2.
File the application
The executor or proposed administrator files the application with supporting documents, including a schedule of the deceased's assets and liabilities.
- 3.
Obtain the grant
Once the court is satisfied, it issues the grant. Banks, CPF, the Singapore Land Authority and others will generally ask to see it before releasing or transferring assets.
- 4.
Administer and distribute
The executor or administrator collects the assets, pays debts and expenses, keeps proper accounts and distributes the remainder to the beneficiaries.
If you have concerns about a will or an estate
A will may be challenged on grounds such as lack of mental capacity, improper execution, undue influence or fraud. Executors, administrators and trustees can be called to account if they do not carry out their duties properly. Certain family members who were maintained by the deceased may apply under the Inheritance (Family Provision) Act for reasonable maintenance from the estate; that application generally has to be made within six months of the grant first being taken out. Because time limits apply and estates can be distributed quickly, it is sensible to take advice early.
Fees
Wills and LPAs are usually charged at a fixed fee. Probate, estate administration, trusts and disputes depend on the size and complexity of the matter, and we quote after reviewing the circumstances.
| WillsAdvice, drafting and a supervised signing of your will. | Fixed fee |
|---|---|
| Lasting Power of AttorneyAdvice on Form 1 or drafting a Form 2 LPA. | Fixed fee |
| Probate & administrationApplying for the grant and administering the estate to distribution. | Quoted upfront |
| Trusts & estate disputesTrust advice, contentious probate and estate litigation. | Quoted upfront |
Every engagement includes
- A review of your family and asset position
- Plain-language advice on the options open to you
- Preparation of documents and court filings
- A written estimate before work begins
You will have a clear figure at your consultation before you commit to anything.
Arrange a consultation
Whether you are making a will, putting an LPA in place, administering an estate or concerned about how one is being handled, we can discuss your situation, explain the options and set out the likely costs.
Common questions
What happens if someone dies without a will?
Their estate is distributed under the Intestate Succession Act, which sets fixed shares for a spouse, children, parents and other relatives. It makes no provision for an unmarried partner, friends or charities, and someone must apply for Letters of Administration before the estate can be dealt with.
Who should not witness my will?
A beneficiary, or the spouse of a beneficiary, should not act as a witness. If they do, the will may remain valid but the gift to them can fail. You need two witnesses, both present when you sign.
Does my will cover my CPF savings?
No. CPF savings are distributed according to your CPF nomination, not your will. If there is no nomination, they are distributed through the Public Trustee under the intestacy rules.
What is the difference between an LPA Form 1 and Form 2?
Form 1 grants general powers using standard checkboxes. Form 2 is for people who want to grant tailored powers and is drafted by a lawyer. Both must be certified by a certificate issuer and registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before they can be used.
What is the difference between probate and letters of administration?
A Grant of Probate is issued to the executor named in a valid will. Letters of Administration are issued when there is no valid will, or no executor able to act, usually to a close family member. Both give the legal authority to deal with the deceased's assets.
Can a will be challenged?
Yes, on grounds such as the person lacking mental capacity when they made it, the will not being properly signed and witnessed, undue influence, or fraud. Separately, certain dependants may claim reasonable maintenance under the Inheritance (Family Provision) Act even where the will is valid.
Is there estate duty in Singapore?
No. Estate duty was abolished for deaths on or after 15 February 2008. Assets held overseas may be subject to taxes in other countries.
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