Probate and Administration Act 1934 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 11 · General
62. Administration by Public Trustee
Feedback & supportLast amended by an amending law of 2016. 3 amendments in all.
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.
Public Trustee
“Public Trustee” means the Public Trustee appointed under the Public Trustee Act 1915 and includes a Deputy Public Trustee and an Assistant Public Trustee appointed under that Act;
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.
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.
letters of administration
“letters of administration” means a grant under the seal of the court issuing the same, authorising the person or persons therein named to administer an intestate’s estate in accordance with law;
Notice of every declaration made under subsection (1) shall be given to the registrar.
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.