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 family.
Mr. Goh passed away in 2022, leaving behind a valid will that named his close friend, Mr. Lim, as the sole executor. Unfortunately, before Mr. Lim could apply for the Grant of Probate (GP), he unexpectedly passed away due to illness.
Mr. Goh’s children, who are named as beneficiaries in the will, are now left wondering: What happens next? Can someone else apply for probate?
Normally, if an executor passes away after obtaining probate, the person named in their will as executor can continue the job. This is known as the chain of executorship.
The chain of executorship allows the legal authority to “pass down” from one executor to the next, but only if the first executor had already obtained probate.
For example, if A dies and appoints B as his executor, B can apply for grant of probate and administer the estate. If B then passes away during the process, and there is no substitute executor in A’s will, C (as the appointed executor of B) will step in and continue the administration of A’s estate.
In Mr. Goh’s case, however, Mr. Lim passed away before probate was granted. This means the chain was never formed and the doctrine of chain of executorship does not apply.
Under Section 7 of the Probate and Administration Act 1959 (PPA 1959), the executor’s right shall cease if he:
- survives the testator but dies before taking out probate;
- is cited to take out probate but does not appear to the citation; OR
- renounces the probate of the Will.
Therefore, in such a scenario, Mr. Goh’s family should review the will to see if a substitute executor was appointed.
If no substitute executor was appointed, the family must apply for a Letter of Administration with Will annexed under Section 16 of the Probate and Administration Act 1959.
In this case, Mr. Goh’s family may proceed to apply for a Letter of Administration with Will annexed, as there is a valid will but no executor available to act.
This case highlights the importance of having a well-drafted will that not only names an executor but also appoints substitute executors to avoid potential delays or complications.
By ensuring there’s a backup executor, you can ensure that your final wishes are carried out smoothly, even in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Don’t leave your family to navigate these complexities. Take the time to write a clear, legally sound, and comprehensive will, with proper backup planning.
You may make an appointment with our legal advisor here: https://calendly.com/finex-and-co-legacy-advisory/tea-talk-with-legal-expert
如果我的遗嘱执行人在申请遗产认证书前去世怎么办？‘Chain of executorship’ 是否适用？
很多人以为，只要立好一份遗嘱，并指定了执行人，就算是交代好了。但你有没有想过，如果你指定的执行人还来不及申请遗产认证书（Grant of Probate）就突然去世了，那你的遗产安排还能顺利进行吗？
这种事情其实不算少见，一旦真的发生，家人可能会遇到很多不必要的拖延、麻烦，甚至还要处理一大堆法律程序。
我们先来看看一个例子：
Mr. Goh在2022年离世。他在生前就写好遗嘱，也指定了他多年的好朋友 Mr. Lim为遗嘱的执行人。原本已经安排好了，相信也可以顺利进行。不幸的是，Mr. Lim还没来得及申请遗产认证书就因为病重离开了。
Mr. Goh的孩子们虽然在遗嘱里是受益人，可是现在执行人不在了，他们很迷惘：他们还可以继续申请遗产认证书吗？接下来该怎么办？
怎么处理这种情况？
一般来说，如果遗嘱执行人在拿到遗产认证书（Grant of Probate）后去世，那他自己遗嘱里指定的执行人就可以接手继续完成任务。这种安排叫做 “Chain of Executorship“。
所谓“Chain of Executorship”，意思就是这个执行人的权力可以从一个执行人传给下一个执行人。但前提是，第一个执行人必须已经拿到遗嘱认证书。
举个例子：A去世时，在遗嘱里指定B为执行人。B申请到了遗产认证书，也开始处理A的遗产。但如果B在中途去世，而A的遗嘱里又没有写替代执行人，那B自己的遗嘱里所指定的执行人C，就可以根据“ Chain of Executorship ”来接手，把A的遗产处理完。
在Mr. Goh的情况，Mr. Lim是在还没取得遗嘱认证书之前就去世了。
也就是说， Chain of Executorship 这条链还没接上，所以这个规则用不上。
根据1959年的Probate and Administration Act第7条条款，如果一个执行人：
- 在死者过世后，但还没申请遗产认证前就去世、
- 收到法庭的通知叫他申请 probate 却没回应、
- 或是主动放弃执行
那么他就等于没有“履行”那个执行人的身份。这个时候，他的权利就自动失效。
没有执行人，家属还能怎么办？
第一步，当然是去翻一翻遗嘱，看有没有指定后备执行人（substitute executor）。有的话，换后备执行人来申请 遗产认证书 就可以了。
但如果遗嘱里只写一个执行人，没指定后备执行人，那就需要申请Letter of Administration with Will annexed。
这项申请是根据1959年法令的第16条条款来处理的，适用于“有遗嘱但没人执行”的情况。
这个案例也提醒了我们：一份好的遗嘱，不只是写好谁当执行人，也应该指明替代执行人，才不会在发生意外时，拖延处理资产的时间或引发不必要的麻烦。
只要事先安排好“后备人选”，就能确保你的遗愿可以顺利执行，就算中途出现突发情况也不怕。
