Singapore legislation
Section 62
Section 62
Administration by Public Trustee
(1)
Where any person dies leaving property in Singapore not exceeding $50,000 in value (without deduction for debts), the Public Trustee, after satisfying himself that no application for letters of administration is pending, may, if he thinks fit, by writing signed by him declare that he undertakes to administer such property.
(2)
For the purpose of subsection (1), the amount of $50,000 shall not include —
the value of any property which the deceased possessed or was entitled to as trustee and not beneficially; and
in the case of a person who dies on or after 17 September 2005, any moneys payable by an appointed insurer pursuant to the Dependants’ Protection Insurance Scheme or any other equivalent scheme maintained by the Central Provident Fund Board under the Central Provident Fund Act 1953.
(3)
Upon a declaration under subsection (1), the Public Trustee shall be empowered to administer such property as though letters of administration, with or without the will annexed, of the estate of the deceased person had been granted to him, and his receipt shall be a sufficient discharge to any person who pays any money or delivers any property to him.
(4)
Notice of every declaration made under subsection (1) shall be given to the registrar.
(5)
At any time prior to the distribution of any part of the property among the beneficiaries thereof under this section the Public Trustee may, if he thinks it expedient to do so, notwithstanding any declaration made by him under subsection (1), decline to proceed with the administration of the property in his hands until a grant of representation has been obtained in respect of the estate of the deceased.