What is estate administration

Estate administration is the legal process of realising and distributing a Deceased’s assets according to his / her will or the intestacy law.

What assets can be administered by the Public Trustee's Office

• Deceased’s moneys in banks or other financial institutions in Singapore;

• Deceased’s shares which are listed on the Singapore Exchange;

• Deceased’s fully paid-up vehicles except commercial vehicles like taxis;

• Deceased’s salary that was owed;

• Deceased’s items in a safe-deposit box;

• Deceased’s moneys paid as government compensation; and

• Deceased’s moneys from the Workfare Income Supplement Scheme.

How does the Deceased’s next of kin make an estate application

An online application can be made via https://go.gov.sg/pto and select "Deceased’s Assets other than Un-nominated CPF Moneys / Baby Bonus / Edusave / PSEA" for the Public Trustee to administer the Deceased’s estate. The next of kin will be required to disclose information on the Deceased’s shares, bank savings account, death gratuity, insurance policies and vehicles owned (if any) in the online application.

You will need to have your Singpass ready in order to access our online application form. You may apply for your Singpass at https://www.singpass.gov.sg if you do not have one.

If you are ineligible to apply for a Singpass, you may apply for a login ID and password through our website: https://go.gov.sg/pto.

Where the total value of the asset more than $50,000, you will have to engage your own solicitors to administer the Deceased’s estate.  The Public Trustee’s Office does not provide a list of solicitors.

Outcome

As a general rule, we will distribute the moneys within 4 weeks from the date of receipt of the full set of documentation from the beneficiary or the date of receipt of the Deceased’s moneys, whichever is later.