Where There's a Will...

The death of a close one is a sad and stressful t ime. Administering their estate as a lay executor only adds more responsibility. We speak to lawyer PATRICK TAN to hear why appointing a professional executor is a popular alternative.

Tell us about yourself and your firm.

I’ve been a lawyer since graduation, and have been in practice for over 25 years now. Fortis Law Corporation is a boutique private client firm that I founded in 2003. It’s possibly one of the few firms in Singapore that exists mainly to serve the legal needs of private clients. 

What is an executor of a will required to do? 

The main responsibil it ies and obligations of an executor of a will are to call in the estate of the deceased and administer the estate in accordance with the law. 

Traditionally, wills are administered by a family or friend. Why is professional executorship becoming more popular? 

Many clients are beginning to appreciate the advantages of engaging a professional executor to execute their wills. Some advantages include saving time, a faster and smoother process, and minimising or avoiding disputes in the administration of the estate. This is because professional executors naturally understand the legal duties and obligations involved much better than lay executors.