Estate Administration of Expatriates with Multi-jurisdictional Assets
Bridging Civil and Common Law Expatriates own assets in multiple countries. When they pass away, their multi-jurisdictional estates must be administered and distributed. This article shows how the administrator and the heirs can take control of the assets when the deceased
Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way – Provided You Can Find the Original Will
Introduction The adage "where there's a will, there's a way" takes on a literal significance when it comes to the world of estate planning, where the validity and effectiveness of will hinges critically on its existence, authenticity, and accessibility after its
When is a Simple Will Not So Simple?
Most individuals believe that their affairs are simple because they are familiar to them - it is the reality they live with every day. Many therefore request simple Wills to save time and costs. However, on further inspection their affairs
Mutual Wills: Till Death Do Us Part?
Inheriting its legal history from English law, the mutual wills doctrine has operated in Singapore for decades. Yet, the doctrine of mutual wills remains a mystery to many lawyers, let alone lay persons. Indeed, it remains challenging to understand the
Doing the Right Thing – A Primer on Statutory Wills in Singapore
Under section 23(1)(k) of the Mental Capacity Act 2008 (MCA), the Court’s powers in respect of the mentally incapacitated person (P)’s property and affairs include “the execution for P of a will”. Such a simple sentence has led to controversy,
Application for Letters of Administration in Cohabitation Situations: Points of Note
Wills are widely recognised as tools of estate planning or as a clear statement from the testator on how his/her assets should be divided after death. They are arguably even more important in cases involving cohabiting partners and illegitimate children.
Legal Responsibilities Borne by Wills-Drafting Lawyers That are Not Apparent on the Face of the Will
The prevalence of DIY Wills online and Wills-drafting services by non-lawyers makes Wills-drafting appear deceptively simple. Yet, the Court of Appeal in Low Ah Cheow cautioned that Wills are among the most important legal documents that one can execute, and