In our previous article “What Really Happens to a Joint Account When One Holder Passes Away?” , we explained how banks in Malaysia handle joint accounts when one of the account holders dies. Most banks will release the remaining balance to the surviving joint holder, provided the survivor signs an indemnity form. Once payment is...

In Malaysia, joint bank accounts are very common. They are often opened by spouses, parents and children, or even friends. However, when one of the account holders passes away, many people are unsure what happens to the money inside the account. A common assumption is that the surviving joint holder automatically becomes the sole owner...

In Part 1 of this article, we explained the first five questions that foreigners often ask when making wills in Malaysia, covering issues such as eligibility, the need for a separate Malaysian will, dealing with overseas assets, inheritance by foreign family members, and whether beneficiaries must come to Malaysia. In this Part 2, we continue...

If you are a foreigner who owns assets in Malaysia such as property, bank accounts, or investments, making a will here is an important step in safeguarding your loved ones’ future. Many foreigners are uncertain about the legal requirements, particularly if they already have a will in their home country that may cover assets in...

When Mr. Wong passed away, his family was relieved to discover that he had written a Will. But after presenting it to the lawyer, they were told something unexpected: “This Will is valid — but it doesn’t help as much as you thought it would.”   Despite the existence of a Will, they faced complications...

When Mr Tan passed away without a will, his estate was governed by the rules of the Distribution Act 1958. His eldest daughter, Mei Ling, was appointed as the administrator but things quickly turned sour when her siblings opposed her decision to sell their late father’s house in Petaling Jaya, citing emotional ties to the...

In recent years, Malaysia has become an increasingly attractive destination for foreigners to live, work, retire, or invest. With government programmes such as Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H), more and more expatriates are choosing to make Malaysia their long-term home. As more foreigners settle down here, we’ve been getting a common estate planning question: “Can...

Many people assume that once a will is written and an executor is named, everything is settled. But what happens if the person you’ve entrusted to carry out your last wishes dies before even applying for probate? This isn’t just a legal formality, it could really delay the process and make things stressful for your...