Resealing a Foreign Grant of Probate in Singapore
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If your loved one has passed away overseas but left behind assets in Singapore, you may need to reseal a foreign Grant of Probate with the Singapore courts. This legal process recognises the probate order issued in another country, giving you the authority to manage and distribute the deceased’s assets located in Singapore.
We are here to help make this process straightforward and hassle-free. With fixed fees and a free initial consultation, we’ll guide you through your options with clarity and care.
What Is Resealing of a Foreign Grant?
When someone passes away while domiciled in a Commonwealth country or Hong Kong, and their estate includes assets in Singapore, there's no need to start the probate process all over again. Instead, you can apply to the Singapore High Court to “reseal” the foreign grant—whether it’s a Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration.
Once resealed, the foreign grant becomes legally valid in Singapore. This allows the appointed executor or administrator to manage local assets such as:
- Bank accounts
- Life insurance payouts
- Shares in Singapore-based companies
- Real estate and property
When Is Resealing Necessary?
You’ll typically need to reseal a foreign grant when:
- The deceased was domiciled in a Commonwealth country or Hong Kong
- A valid Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration has been issued in that jurisdiction
- The deceased owned assets located in Singapore
If the deceased was domiciled in a non-Commonwealth country, a fresh application for a Grant of Probate in Singapore is required. This process is more time-consuming and involves engaging a foreign lawyer to help prepare supporting documents and affidavits.
How Long Will It Take?
- Resealing a Grant of Probate: Around 3 months - 4 months
- Resealing a Grant of Letters of Administration: Around 4 months
- Fresh Grant (Non-Commonwealth): Around 6 months
We Offer Fixed, Transparent Fees
Our legal fees are fixed and upfront, with no hidden charges (excluding standard disbursements and GST). You’ll know exactly what to expect before we proceed.
Why Choose Us?
- Recognised as one of Singapore’s Best Law Firms by The Straits Times
- Over 30 years of experience in probate and estate matters
- Clear timelines and transparent fixed fees
- A specialised team dedicated to probate and estate administration
- Trusted by clients and law firms worldwide—including from the UK, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and more
What Documents Are Needed?
To begin the resealing process, you’ll need to provide:
- The original foreign Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
- A certified copy of the death certificate
- The Will, if available
- Proof of assets in Singapore (e.g. bank statements, property titles)
- Identity documents of the executor or administrator
We're Here to Help
If you’re not sure whether resealing is required in your situation, or you’d like to get started, our team is ready to assist. Reach out today for a free consultation—we’ll walk you through the steps and ensure everything is handled professionally and efficiently.
Work with an award winning team
PKWA Law has been recognised in The Straits Times ranking of “Singapore’s Best Law Firms 2025” for the fifth consecutive year.
For the 8th consecutive year we were recognised by Doyles as a leading family law firm in Singapore.
For the 5th year in a row we have been named as a leading Family law firm in Benchmark Litigation 2024 awards.
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We've consistently received positive reviews from our clients on our service and results.
Why do clients choose us?
We have over 30 years of history, and more than 100 employees. We are an established family law firm you can count on.
Our fees are fixed and affordable from the outset so that you can have peace of mind from the get-go.
We have excellent reviews and testimonials from numerous clients across various independent platforms.
Our team are consistently recognized as leading lawyers by the Straits Times, and other leading publications.
We are trusted by leading corporations such as DBS, OCBC, UOB, Maybank, HSBC, Citibank, and CPF Board.
We usually offer a free first consultation so you can make an informed decision on whether to proceed.
Meet some of our reseal foreign grant of probate team
- Recognised as a Rising Star in Family Law for 2025 by Doyles Guide.
- Included in Asian Legal Business’s 2022 list of Singapore’s Rising Stars, highlighting "the next generation of lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional potential and earned significant client acclaim."
- Honoured as one of Singapore Business Review’s “Most Influential Lawyers Aged 40 and Under” in 2016, celebrated for his thought leadership, influence, and accomplishments in the legal industry.
- Recommended Lawyer in the 2025 list of leading family and divorce lawyers in Singapore by Doyles Guide.
- Recognised as a Family Law Rising Star for 2022, 2023, and 2024 by Doyles Guide.
- Named one of Singapore’s Rising Stars by Asian Legal Business in 2022, an accolade awarded to lawyers who exhibit exceptional talent and consistently earn client praise.
Awards and Recognition
Derek was named one of “Singapore’s Rising Stars” in 2024 by Asian Legal Business. This prestigious list highlights “exceptional lawyers who have shown remarkable potential and garnered consistent praise from clients.”
Derek was specifically recognised for his “impressive presence in handling complex divorce cases and high-value matrimonial disputes."
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Mathea was named one of “Singapore’s Rising Stars” in 2024 by Asian Legal Business, a distinguished accolade recognizing exceptional lawyers who exhibit outstanding potential and consistently receive high client commendations.
She received particular praise for her “formidable achievements in handling complex matrimonial cases, especially those involving high-net-worth clients and international elements.” Additionally, Mathea was acknowledged for her successful management of a divorce case involving assets worth $30 million.
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Articles on Reseal Foreign Grant of Probate in Singapore
- The deceased is domiciled in a Commonwealth country or Hong Kong
- The deceased had assets in Singapore
- A Grant of Probate has already been obtained by the executors from the dead person’s home country.
We are leading probate lawyers in Singapore
We’re often named as leading Singapore lawyers in national media, and we have many years of successful practice, making us the safe and trusted choice. We would be delighted to help you with any queries you have about this area of law. The first consultation will be free." ["post_title"]=> string(34) "Resealing Foreign Grant of Probate" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(23) "resealing-grant-probate" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2025-04-07 22:09:40" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-04-07 14:09:40" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(45) "https://singaporefamilylawyers.com.sg/?p=1622" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [1]=> object(WP_Post)#8870 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(1628) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "2" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2023-06-04 20:09:07" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2023-06-04 12:09:07" ["post_content"]=> string(4009) "A Grant of Probate is needed from the court if a deceased person has died leaving a Will. The beneficiaries are set out in the Will, and they inherit the assets. However, when a person dies and does not leave a valid Will, then family members must ask the court to issue a Grant of Letters of Administration. The family members named in the Intestate Succession Act then inherit the deceased’s assets. This article explains how these two legal documents differ from each other.When A Person Dies, What Happens to Their Estate?
In Singapore, when a person dies, the property, effects, bank accounts and investments they leave behind form their “Estate”. This Estate must be distributed to the beneficiaries of the deceased. These beneficiaries must obtain an order for the court that gives authority to whoever is managing the Estate, in order to:- Pay off any debts owed by the deceased
- Sell or transfer property the dead person owned
- Close their bank accounts and cash in any investments
- Distribute what remains of the Estate to the beneficiaries
The Deceased Person Made a Will
In this case, the court issues a Grant of Probate to allow the distribution of the Estate by an “Executor”, named in the Will. The Executor plays a vital role in the probate process, by ensuring the assets are located and distributed fairly to the beneficiaries. If you are making a Will, choose your named Executor carefully, because the beneficiaries will have no power to replace them following your death. Ensure they are trustworthy and capable of managing the process, which may take several months. The duties of the Executor are usually: to deal with the affairs of the deceased; set their assets; ensure any debts they owed are settled; and ensure the assets go to the beneficiaries named in the Will. Think of the Grant of Probate as the court’s way of saying that the Will is valid. Financial institutions involved in the settling of the Estate will require a Grant of Probate so they can be sure that the Will is indeed legal and valid, and the named Executor(s) are the right people to be dealing with the Estate. They won’t release funds without it.The Deceased Person Did Not Make a Will
In these circumstances, the court’s authority is given via Letters of Administration to the next of kin, and is used to allow an “Administrator” to deal with the Estate. If no Will exists, then nobody has been specifically appointed by the deceased to administer their Estate and so the law must identify the people who can apply to administer the Estate. In order of priority, these individuals are as follows:- The spouse of the deceased,
- The children
- The parents of Brother and sisters
- Nieces and nephews
- Grandparents
- Aunts and uncles
A specialist probate lawyer can help you
Our team of experienced specialist probate lawyers are ready to help you with any support you need on the subject of Wills, probate and letters of administration." ["post_title"]=> string(65) "Difference Between Grant of Probate and Letters of Administration" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(50) "difference-grant-of-probate-letters-administration" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2023-10-10 00:22:18" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2023-10-09 16:22:18" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(45) "https://singaporefamilylawyers.com.sg/?p=1628" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [2]=> object(WP_Post)#8442 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(4355) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "2" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2024-11-01 12:46:41" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2024-11-01 04:46:41" ["post_content"]=> string(2519) "We are proud to announce that PKWA Law Practice LLC has been named one of The Straits Times’ “Singapore’s Best Law Firms” for the fifth consecutive year. The 2025 edition of Singapore’s Best Law Firms was highly competitive, with The Straits Times expanding its reach to gather feedback from 5,906 professionals, including lawyers, in-house legal teams, and clients. These professionals contributed over 11,500 recommendations, making the list a comprehensive guide to Singapore’s top legal firms across 18 different categories. The survey results, published both in the newspaper and online, highlight the law firms that are most trusted and recommended by their peers and clients. Being named one of Singapore’s best for five consecutive years is a testament to our firm’s unwavering commitment to providing high-quality legal services. Our success is driven by a steadfast dedication to our clients and the hard work of our exceptional legal team. The recognition in the Family Law and Conveyancing categories is particularly meaningful, as it reflects our deep expertise in areas that touch the lives of so many individuals and families in Singapore. In Family Law, PKWA Law has built a reputation for handling cases with sensitivity and professionalism, offering comprehensive services in divorce, child custody, adoption, and other family-related matters. We understand that family law cases often involve highly emotional and challenging situations, and our team strives to provide compassionate yet effective solutions tailored to each client’s unique circumstances. The acknowledgment of our work in this area highlights our commitment to helping families navigate difficult legal issues with dignity and care. We are incredibly grateful to our clients, who have been the cornerstone of our success. Many of you return to us year after year, a reflection of the strong relationships we have built over time. Looking ahead, we remain committed to upholding the high standards that have earned us this recognition. We will continue to innovate and evolve in response to the changing legal landscape, always with the goal of delivering exceptional legal services that meet the needs of our clients. Thank you once again to our clients, colleagues, and community for their ongoing support, and we look forward to serving you for many years to come." ["post_title"]=> string(66) "PKWA Recognised as a Leading Law Firm in 2025 by the Straits Times" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(66) "pkwa-recognised-as-a-leading-law-firm-in-2025-by-the-straits-times" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2024-11-01 12:48:30" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2024-11-01 04:48:30" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(45) "https://singaporefamilylawyers.com.sg/?p=4355" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } }Contact Us
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