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What Is Singapore's Intestate Succession Act?

A summary of the Intestate Succession Act and how it applies when there is no valid Will in Singapore.

Singapore's Intestate Succession Act

The Intestate Succession Act sets out how a person's estate is distributed in Singapore if they pass away without a valid Will. It provides fixed shares based on which family members are still alive.

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Distribution Rules

A quick reference based on who survives the individual:

Individual dies leaving	Distribution
Spouse, no children, no parents	Spouse (100%)
Spouse and children	Spouse (50%) and children (50% shared equally)
Children and parents; no spouse	^Children (100% shared equally)
Spouse and parents; no children	Spouse (50%) and parents (50% shared equally)
Parents; no spouse; no children	Parents (100% shared equally)
Siblings and their children; no spouse, no children, no parents	Siblings* (100% shared equally)
Grandparents; no siblings, no parents, no spouse, no children	Grandparents (100% shared equally)
Uncles and aunts; no grandparents	Uncles and aunts (100% shared equally)
None of the above	Government (100%)

Notes on Representation

^If a child has passed away, then the grandchildren can legally represent him/her to claim their parents’ portion of the estate

*If a sibling has passed away, his or her children can legally represent their parent to claim their parents’ portion of the estate

Muslim Estates

Muslims in Singapore can make a Shariah-compliant Will under the Administration of Muslim Law Act, which follows Islamic inheritance rules. Without a proper Will, an estate may be distributed under civil law or religious law in ways that do not match personal wishes.