Upon filing for Grant of Probate, assuming your application is in order, the court will proceed by accepting your documents, assigning a case number, and scheduling a hearing date.

Furthermore, the court will issue sealed versions of the Originating Summons, Statement, and Schedule of Assets (if assets have already been ascertained), each bearing a court seal.

• For estates valued up to $5 million, the application is made in the Family Courts.
• For estates exceeding $5 million, it’s made in the Family Division of the High Court.

At GJC Law, we offer a Fixed Fee service to our clients for non-contentious Grant of Probate and Letters of Administration.

Grant of Probate

• For estates valued at $5m or less, the fees are from $1,500.
• For estates valued above $5m, the fees start from $2,500.

Grant of Letters of Administration

• For estates valued at $5m or less, the fees are $2,500.
• For estates valued above $5m, the fees start from $3,500.

The above fees quoted exclude any other additional Affidavits, Renunciations, and Summons to dispensed with Sureties, as the case may be.

The time it takes to obtain a grant of probate in Singapore can vary depending on various factors such as the complexity of the estate, any disputes that may arise.

For non-contentious Grant of Probate, it can take 2 to 3 months for the probate process to be completed.    

After probate is granted, the executor(s) named on the Grant of Probate can begin the process of dealing with the estate. This may include opening an estate bank account, calling in all the assets and thereafter distributing assets to the beneficiaries. Such actions may also include closing a bank account, cashing in insurance or pension lump sums, and selling or transferring property.

The process of resealing a Grant of Probate in Singapore involves submitting an application to the Singapore High Court along with necessary documents such as the original Grant of Probate, a certified copy of the will, and an affidavit.

The cost typically includes court fees, legal fees if hiring a lawyer, and any additional expenses related to document certification or translation if required. Costs may vary depending on the complexity of the case. The estimated fee quotes are as follows:

Reseal of Foreign Grant (applicable for Commonwealth countries)

• For estates valued at $5m or less, the fees are $5,000.
• For estates valued above $5m, the fees start from $6,000.

The above fees quoted exclude GST, disbursements, and any other additional Affidavits and Summons, as the case may be.

The duties of an executor of a will in Singapore include locating and securing assets, applying for Grant of Probate, paying debts and taxes, distributing assets to beneficiaries, managing estate affairs, keeping accurate records, communicating with beneficiaries, and acting in the best interests of the estate.