Estate Administration Checklist

Basic matters

• Obtain confirmation of death from the hospital or a medical practitioner.

• Register the death at JPN and obtain the death certificate.

  The most fundamental document; almost every subsequent matter requires it. Make several certified copies.

• Settle the funeral arrangements and keep all funeral expense receipts.

  These expenses are paid first from the estate.

• Notify the deceased's employer (final salary, employment benefits, GCR for civil servants).

Gather basic documents

• The deceased's identity card.

• Sijil atau surat nikah, dan sijil kelahiran anak-anak.

• Identification documents of all heirs.

Semak wasiat, hibah, atau amanah dahulu

• Search for a will (home, lawyer, Amanah Raya, will institutions).

  The existence of a will determines the application channel: probate or letters of administration.

• Identify property that was fully gifted (hibah) during the lifetime or is held in trust.

  Such property is not part of the estate.

Immovable property

• Land and house grants or titles.

  Do an official search at the land office if documents are missing.

• Semak status setiap hartanah: milik penuh, pajakan, bercagar kepada bank, atau tanah FELDA/TOL (status khas, rujuk FAQ).

Movable property & finances

• Bank accounts and joint accounts (all identified banks).

• EPF (KWSP).

  Check the nomination; for Muslims the nominee acts as administrator.

• Tabung Haji, ASB/ASNB, saham (akaun CDS), dan unit amanah.

• Takaful or insurance.

  Identify the nomination type: hibah or executor (wasi).

• Cooperatives (shares, dividends, khairat) and SOCSO/PERKESO.

• Vehicles (registration card and outstanding loans).

• Perniagaan: saham syarikat, pendaftaran SSM, dan akaun perniagaan.

• Aset digital: e-wallet, kripto, royalti atau hak cipta, dan akaun berbayar.

• Barang bernilai: barang kemas, koleksi, dan ternakan.

Liabilities

• Pinjaman perumahan, kenderaan, peribadi, dan kad kredit.

• Check MRTA/MRTT coverage or financing takaful. ⚠️ Check

  The debt may be covered and settled upon death; check the policy.

• PTPTN, cukai pendapatan (LHDN), dan cukai taksiran atau tanah tertunggak.

• Hutang kepada Allah: zakat tertunggak, fidyah, dan badal haji (jika diwasiatkan atau dituntut).

• Personal debts.

  Check with the family; request written proof for any claim.

• Prepare a complete family tree of heirs, including heirs who passed away earlier.

  Identify whether there are layered deaths (munasakhat).

• Kenal pasti kes khas: waris belum dewasa, janin dalam kandungan, waris hilang (mafqud), atau waris OKU. Setiap satu ada layanan khusus.

• Settle any matrimonial property (harta sepencarian) claim by the spouse (if applicable) at the Syariah Court before the net estate is determined.

• Apply for the faraid certificate at the Syariah Court (list of heirs and shares). ⚠️ Check

  Check the documents required by the relevant state court.

• Calculate an estimate of each heir's share.

  Including the Munasakhat module if there are layered deaths.

  Open the Faraid Calculator

• Determine the correct channel (limits after the 2024 amendment). ⚠️ Check

  • Small Estate Distribution Office (JKPTG): nilai tidak melebihi RM5 juta; kini menerima harta alih sahaja, tak alih sahaja, atau gabungan.
  • Simplified distribution (JKPTG): movable property only, value not exceeding RM600 thousand; a faster process.
  • Amanah Raya Berhad: an alternative option for movable property within certain limits.
  • High Court: there is a will (probate) or the value exceeds RM5 million.

• If the death cannot be proven (missing person): obtain a Presumption of Death Order from the Civil High Court. ⚠️ Check

  The Syariah Court's presumption order serves a different purpose; check current requirements.

• The heirs agree to appoint an administrator (one or more).

• Prepare the application form and supporting documents (death certificate, list of assets and valuations, heirs' documents, faraid certificate if available). ⚠️ Check

  A missing grant is not a barrier; do an official search. Verify the current forms on the JKPTG portal.

• Prepare the administration bond and sureties (for the High Court, if required). ⚠️ Check

  Check current requirements and exemptions.

• Consider an estate caveat if there is a risk of unauthorised dealings.

• Receive the hearing notice and inform all heirs.

• Prepare letters of authorisation for heirs who cannot attend. ⚠️ Check

  Check the format accepted by the land administrator.

• Reach an early agreement among the heirs before the hearing.

  Prevent the hearing from becoming a battleground.

• If an heir wishes to relinquish their right (takharuj): make sure they first know their share and consent willingly; it is recorded during the hearing.

• Terima perintah pembahagian atau surat kuasa. Semak ketepatan nama, kadar, dan butiran harta sebelum keluar dari bicara.

• If there is an error or objection: file an appeal within the prescribed period; do not delay. ⚠️ Check

  Out-of-time appeals require special leave and are harder; check the current period.

• If additional property is discovered after the order: file a subsequent application.

• Land sale not agreed by all heirs? After the 2024 amendment, the consent of heirs representing more than 2/3 of the value can suffice (majority-share concept). ⚠️ Check

  Check the procedure; minority heirs have the right to be heard.

Order of payment (per syarak sequence)

• 1

  Funeral expenses (reimburse whoever bore them).

• 2

  The deceased's debts: debts to Allah and to people.

• 3

  Bequest (maximum 1/3 of the net estate, not to an heir).

• 4

  Remainder: faraid distribution or a recorded family agreement.

Asset transfers

• Transfer property ownership at the land office. ⚠️ Check

  Check the stamp duty rates.

• Transfer vehicle ownership at JPJ.

• Buat tuntutan bank, KWSP, Tabung Haji, ASNB, takaful, koperasi, dan SOCSO.

  Each agency has its own forms and procedures.

• If property is sold: calculate RPGT (CKHT). ⚠️ Check

  Get the actual computation first.

• Obtain a written acknowledgement of receipt or release from every heir after distribution.

• File and keep all records (orders, receipts, releases) at least until no further claims are possible.

• Close the deceased's settled accounts; cancel subscriptions or cards.

• Report to LHDN where applicable. ⚠️ Check

• Untuk diri sendiri: jadikan ini pengajaran. Mulakan perancangan harta sendiri sekarang: senarai aset, penamaan yang betul, dan hibah atau wasiat yang sempurna.

  Estate planning consultation