In Malaysia, when a person dies without leaving a will, the distribution of their estate is governed by the Distribution Act 1958. The Act determines who is entitled to inherit the estate and the proportion each beneficiary should receive. However, the law only determines the entitlement. It does not always resolve practical issues that arise...

Q1: Should I transfer my property to my children now, or write a will instead? Many parents think transferring property during their lifetime is cheaper because they want to avoid future costs. But cost should not be the main priority — your real intention and long-term needs matter more. Children’s perspective: Early transfer may affect...

This is something I hear more and more these days. AI is now incredibly accessible. Just type “I want to write a will,” and within minutes you’ll receive a document that looks neat, structured, and surprisingly professional. To many people, it feels efficient. Quick. Affordable. Some even walk into my office with the AI-generated document...

Many people believe that as long as they leave some form of written instruction, their wishes will be respected. A short note. A message in a notebook. A verbal instruction to a child. Even placing valuables in a safety deposit box and handing over the key. These actions feel sufficient. However, when someone passes away,...

Let me ask you something real. What if one day, you and the person you trust the most — the one you’ve named in your will — pass away in the same accident? Where would your assets actually go? Most people pause when they hear this. Not because the question is difficult, but because they...

Many people believe that once they have signed a document and called it a “Will”, their estate will automatically be distributed according to that document. Some even think that once a Grant of Probate is issued, everything is final and cannot be challenged.   The High Court case of Low Tiong Saw V. Low Teong...

When a loved one passes away, family members often step in to “help” safeguard the house, hold on to important documents, or temporarily manage the money. These actions are usually done with good intentions. However, a recent decision of the High Court in Kuala Lumpur shows that when a person, without proper authority, assumes control...