SingaporeWhat is Letters of Administration?
Letters of Administration is a court order that appoints a person (an administrator) to manage and distribute the estate of someone who died without a valid will in Singapore.
What the Law Says
The Probate and Administration Act governs the appointment of administrators when a person dies intestate — that is, without a valid will. Section 18 sets out who may be granted Letters of Administration and the court’s authority to issue them.
When someone dies without leaving a valid will, their estate cannot be distributed through a Grant of Probate (which applies only when there is a will). Instead, the High Court of Singapore may issue Letters of Administration to authorise a suitable person — usually a close family member — to collect assets, pay debts, and distribute the remaining estate according to Singapore’s intestacy rules.
The administrator acts as the legal representative of the deceased’s estate and must follow strict duties and reporting requirements under the law.
Statutory TextWhere a person dies intestate, administration of his estate may be committed by the High Court to such person as the Court thinks fit.
— Probate and Administration Act, s. 18 — Administration where person dies intestate
What to Do
Confirm the deceased died without a valid will (intestate).
Identify the eligible applicant — typically the spouse, child, or parent of the deceased.
File an application for Letters of Administration in the High Court’s Family Division.
Submit required documents: death certificate, identity documents, list of assets and liabilities, and affidavits of next-of-kin.
Attend court hearings if required and obtain the sealed Letters of Administration order.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.