Introduction
Life is sadly impermanent, and nobody can fully predict the future. Some people, especially the young and healthy ones, may not be overly concerned about making a Will, but what would potentially happen if the worst did occur and you passed away without leaving a will? In such cases, engaging a wills lawyer in Singapore can help you understand the legal consequences of dying without a will, as well as the steps to take when someone dies without a will.
In Singapore, if a person dies without a will, the rules on intestate succession (Section 7 of the Intestate Succession Act) applies. Distribution of the deceased’s estate shall be according to the rules on intestate succession.which a wills lawyer can clarify for you in depth.
Intestate Succession Act
You may reference the graphic below to assess the specific entitlement rules based on various scenarios. If you need further guidance on wills, please feel free to reach out to our wills lawyer for assistance.
If you’re considering to draft a will, our will writing service is prepared by an experienced wills lawyer in Singapore.
The infographic outlines what occurs to your estate if you dies without a will
(Intestate Succession Act).
Surviving Spouse only
If you have NO surviving parent(s) and child(ren) but you have a surviving spouse, then your spouse gets your whole estate. will lawyer. A wills lawyer in Singapore can help ensure your spouse is properly protected by preparing a valid will, preventing complications in the future.
Surviving Spouse & Child(ren)
The allocation of your estate will depend on the number of children in this scenario. If you have only 1 child, then the estate is divided equally between your spouse and child. If you have more than one child, then your spouse will get half and the remaining half will be divided equally among your children. Consulting a wills lawyer in Singapore ensures your intentions are clearly reflected in your will and helps prevent disputes that may arise from dying without a will.
Surviving Spouse & Grandchild
If your child(ren) have passed away, leaving behind his or her only child who is your grandchild, then your surviving spouse will get half portion of your estate and your only grandchild will get another half portion of your estate. If you have no surviving spouse or child(ren), but you have one grandchild, he or she will get everything. A wills lawyer in Singapore can provide assistance in handling such complex inheritance matters
However, if you have grandchildren (more than one grandchild), then your estate’s half share (if there is a surviving spouse) or whole estate (if no surviving spouse) will be divided equally among them. With a will lawyer’s guidance, your will can be tailored to your family situation, reducing the risk of problems that often occur when a person dies without a will in Singapore.
Surviving Spouse & Parent(s)
If you have a surviving spouse and parent(s) but you have no child(ren), then your spouse and your parent(s) get equal portions of your estate. To ensure everything is clearly defined, it’s advisable to consult a wills lawyer in Singapore or engage a lawyer to draft your will.
Brother(s) & Sister(s)
If you have no surviving spouse, parent(s) or child(ren) but you have sibling(s) [brother(s) and/or sister(s)], he/she/they will inherit your estate. However, in the situation where you have only one brother or sister, but he or she has already passed away, then his or her child(ren) [your niece(s) or nephew(s)] will get your estate instead. A wills lawyer in Singapore can help you understand how intestate succession rules apply if a person dies without a will in Singapore
Grandparent(s)
If you have no surviving spouse, parents, child(ren), sibling(s) and child(ren) of your sibling(s) but your grandparent(s) is still alive, then your grandparent(s) will inherit your estate entirely.
Aunt(s) or Uncle(s)
If you have no surviving spouse, parents, child(ren), sibling(s), child(ren) of your sibling(s) and grandparents but you only have aunt(s) or uncle(s), your aunt(s) or uncle(s) will get the whole of your estate. The absence of a will can make the process more challenging, but a wills lawyer in Singapore can assist your family in navigating it.
Government of Singapore
If you have no surviving relatives at all, the government will inherit your whole estate.
To prevent this outcome, it’s best to consult a wills lawyer in Singapore or engage a lawyer to write a will. A professional wills lawyer can help ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes rather than the default laws when dying without a will.
