How to Access a Deceased Person’s Bank Account in Singapore

When a person dies, those appointed to deal with the deceased’s assets will require access to their bank accounts. Any funds held in a bank account owned by the deceased will form part of their overall estate, which consists of all the assets that were owned by them.

The person appointed to deal with the estate is generally known as the executor or administrator of the estate, depending upon whether the deceased left a will. It is their responsibility to gather the deceased’s assets and distribute them accordingly. However, navigating this process can be difficult, particularly when faced with the recent passing of a loved one.

A deceased person will usually have at least one bank account, which must be accessed and closed, with any funds to be paid out and distributed between the estate’s beneficiaries. The process for obtaining access to the accounts will vary depending on whether the deceased has left a will.

Where there is a valid will

The deceased’s will should appoint at least one person as their executor. The executor must apply to the Family Justice Courts for something known as a Grant of Probate. This is a document issued by the court which confirms that the will is valid, and that the executor is authorised to gather and distribute the deceased’s estate.

The process for obtaining the Grant of Probate is as follows:

1. The executors will need to gather information on the deceased’s assets and compile a list of everything owned by the deceased in a Schedule of Assets.
2. The executors or their lawyer, must carry out a search via the CrimsonLogic Service Bureau to ensure that no prior applications have been made in respect of the estate.
3. The following documents will then need to be filed with the Family Justice Courts:
   1. The Originating Summons. This form provides details of the deceased, the executors, and the type of order sought (i.e. the grant). A copy of the results of the search at the Service Bureau will need to be attached.
   2. Statement for Probate. This sets out details regarding the deceased’s death and their estate. The applicants must also confirm they are the named executors of the will, plus indicate whether the application is being made within 6 months of the deceased’s death.
   3. The Schedule of Assets.
   4. The original will.
   5. Certified copies of the will, and the death certificate.
4. Within 14 days of filing the application, the following documents must also be submitted:
   1. The Administration Oath. This is an oath sworn before a Commissioner of Oaths, confirming that the executors will properly administer the estate.
   2. The Supporting Affidavit. This confirms the details of the application, and the Schedule of Assets that will also need to be attached to this.
5. A court hearing will then be listed. Provided there are no issues, the court will issue sealed copies of the application documents. This will allow the executors to contact the deceased’s financial institutions.
6. The executors must conduct a final search against the estate to ensure no other applications have been made.
7. Extraction of the Grant. Once the court has accepted the application and its supporting documents, the executors or their lawyer can ask the court to extract the grant.

Once the grant has been obtained, the executors will need to visit a branch of the bank with which the account is held. The bank will need to see the executor’s NRIC card and a copy of the grant to allow access to the account. The executors will then need to instruct the bank to close the account and transfer any funds to their nominated bank account.

The executors should retain those funds in a designated account for the deceased’s estate. Once all the assets have been gathered, they must then distribute those funds according to the deceased’s wishes, as set out in their will.

Where there is no will left behind

If the deceased did not leave a will, or the will they did leave is invalid, someone will need to be appointed to manage and distribute the estate under the intestacy laws.

Section 18 of The Probate and Administration Act provides the following categories of persons who may apply to administer the estate in order of priority:

1. The deceased’s surviving spouse;
2. The deceased’s children;
3. The deceased’s parents;
4. The deceased’s siblings;
5. The deceased’s nieces and nephews;
6. The deceased’s grandparents; and
7. The deceased’s aunts and uncles.

Up to four administrators may be appointed to deal with the estate, and at least two must be appointed if any beneficiaries are minors.

The administrators must apply to the court to obtain what is known as Letters of Administration. Similarly to the Grant of Probate, the letters provide authorisation to the administrators to gather and distribute the estate.

The process for obtaining the Letters of Administration are as follows:

1. The administrators will need to gather information on the deceased’s assets and compile a list of everything owned by the deceased in a Schedule of Assets.
2. The administrators, or their lawyer must carry out a search via the CrimsonLogic Service Bureau to ensure that no prior applications have been made in respect of the estate.
3. The following documents will then need to be filed with the Family Justice Courts:
   1. The Originating Summons. This form provides details of the deceased, the administrators, and the type of order sought (i.e. the Letters of Administration). A copy of the results of the search at the Service Bureau will need to be attached.
   2. Statement for Letters of Administration. This sets out details in respect of the deceased’s death, their estate, the applicant’s details, and whether the application is being made within 6 months of the deceased’s death.
   3. The Schedule of Assets.
   4. Certified copies of the death certificate.
4. Within 14 days of filing the application, the following documents need to be submitted:
   1. The Administration Oath, which is an oath sworn before a Commissioner of Oaths, confirming that the administrator will properly administer the estate.
   2. The Supporting Affidavit, which confirms the details of the application. Attached to this will be the Schedule of Assets.
5. A court hearing will then be listed. Provided everything is in order, the court will issue sealed copies of the application documents. This will allow the administrators to contact the deceased’s financial institutions.
6. The administrators will need to carry out a final search against the estate to ensure no other applications have been made.
7. Extraction of the Letters of Administration. Once the court has accepted the application and its supporting documents, the administrators or their lawyer can ask the court to extract the Letters.

Once the Letters of Administration have been obtained, the administrators are authorised to manage the deceased’s estate, and the process is then very much the same as above. The administrator must visit the bank, provide their NRIC card and a copy of the Letters of Administration, and ask the bank to close the account and pay out the funds.

Again, the administrator should have a designated account for the estate into which the funds can be paid. Those funds will then need to be distributed to the beneficiaries of the estate.

Do I need a lawyer for this process?

Whether your application is for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, the process can involve compiling a lot of information and completing multiple forms. It is, therefore, advisable to seek the assistance of a probate lawyer to guide you through the process.