How is the estate distributed if a person dies without a Will?
Source: Probate & Administration Toolkit
A deceased is said to have died intestate if he or she did not leave a Will indicating his or her wishes on how the estate should be distributed. In cases of intestacy, the estate will be distributed in accordance with the Intestate Succession Act 1967 (for non-Muslim estates) or in accordance with Muslim law (for Muslim estates).
In cases of intestacy, the beneficiaries (i.e. the persons entitled to a share of the estate) may apply for a grant of letters of administration to administer the estate. The administrators of the estate will have to collect the assets, clear the deceased’s debts and distribute the estate in accordance with law.
For non-Muslim estates, the persons entitled to the deceased’s estate are as follows:
For Muslim estates, an applicant for letters of administration involving a Muslim estate is required to obtain an Inheritance Certificate from the Syariah Court specifying the beneficiaries of the estate and their respective shares of the estate. The inheritance certificate can be applied for online from the Syariah Court website at Home (syariahcourt.gov.sg).