When someone dies, three questions decide what happens next: was there a will (or wasiat), was the person a Muslim, and how big and what kind is the estate. Estates of non-Muslims without a will are shared under the Distribution Act 1958. A Muslim's estate is shared by faraid after debts, any valid wasiat (generally up to one-third) and claims such as harta sepencarian. Estates up to RM5 million with land go through the small estates process at the land office (Small Estates (Distribution) Act 1955, s 3(2)); larger estates go to the High Court.
What to do first
- Register the death at JPN within 7 days and get the death certificate (Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957, s 19(2), Peninsular Malaysia).
- Look for a will, wasiat, hibah documents and nominations (EPF, insurance or takaful).
- List assets and debts: land, bank accounts, EPF, ASB/ASNB, vehicles, shares, loans.
- Muslim estates: settle harta sepencarian and hibah claims first, then get a faraid certificate or order from the Syariah court — see Muslim family law.
- Choose the route: small estate (land office), Amanah Raya summary administration, or High Court probate / letters of administration — see Wills and estates.
Civil and Syariah side by side
| Non-Muslims (civil) | Muslims (Syariah) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who inherits without a will | Distribution Act 1958 (Act 300), s 6 | Faraid (Hukum Syarak); the Syariah court certifies heirs and shares |
| Will | Wills Act 1959: testator 18 or over (s 4), signed before two witnesses | Wasiat: generally up to one-third, to a non-heir unless the other heirs consent; Selangor has a Muslim Wills Enactment 1999 |
| Gift during life | Ordinary gift / trust | Hibah — Syariah High Court decides disputes (e.g. Act 505 s 46(2)(b)(vi)) |
| Small estate (≤ RM5 million) | Estate Distribution Officer under Act 98 | Same — the officer applies Islamic law to a Muslim's estate |
| Larger estate | High Court: probate or letters of administration (Act 97) | High Court grant + faraid order from the Syariah court |
Islamic law is state law: each state has its own enactments, and they differ in detail. The Federal Territories' laws are federal Acts.
Which court or agency?
| Problem | Where to go | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Small estate (≤ RM5 million total, with land) | Estate Distribution Officer — small estates unit (JKPTG) | Act 98 |
| Large or complex estate, probate | High Court | Act 97 |
| Faraid certificate, hibah, wasiat, harta sepencarian (Muslim) | Syariah High Court | Act 505 s 46(2)(b) or state enactment |
| Appeal against a small-estates order | High Court within 30 days | Act 98 s 29 |
Read the guides
Wills and estatesWills, intestacy and probate (non-Muslim estates)Small Estates (Distribution) Act 1955 (Act 98)Muslim family law and Islamic estate planning
Tools
Key laws — read the copy
| Act 98 | Small Estates (Distribution) Act 1955 Akta Harta Pesaka Kecil (Pembahagian) 1955 | PDF · Official ↗ |
| Act 97 | Probate and Administration Act 1959 Akta Probet dan Pentadbiran 1959 | PDF · PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| Act 300 | Distribution Act 1958 Akta Pembahagian 1958 | PDF · PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| Act 346 | Wills Act 1959 Akta Wasiat 1959 | PDF · PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| Act 39 | Inheritance (Family Provision) Act 1971 Akta Pewarisan (Peruntukan Keluarga) 1971 | PDF · PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| Act 505 | Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Act 1993 Akta Pentadbiran Undang-Undang Islam (Wilayah-Wilayah Persekutuan) 1993 | PDF · PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| State enactment | Muslim Wills (Selangor) Enactment 1999 Enakmen Wasiat Orang Islam (Negeri Selangor) 1999 | PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| Amending enactment | Muslim Wills (Selangor) (Amendment) Enactment 2016 Enakmen Wasiat Orang Islam (Negeri Selangor) (Pindaan) 2016 | PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| State enactment | Administration of the Religion of Islam (State of Selangor) Enactment 2003 Enakmen Pentadbiran Agama Islam (Negeri Selangor) 2003 | PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| State subsidiary legislation | Administration of the Religion of Islam (Faraid Certificate Fees) Regulations 2004 (Selangor) Peraturan-Peraturan Pentadbiran Agama Islam (Fi Perakuan Faraid) 2004 (Selangor) | PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| No. 8 of 2021 | Matrimonial property (harta sepencarian) to be settled before hibah, wasiat and estate cases over the same property Arahan Amalan JKSM No. 8 of 2021: Keperluan penyelesaian kes harta sepencarian terlebih dahulu sebelum perbicaraan kes hibah, wasiat dan pusaka | PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| No. 7 of 2022 | All entitled heirs must be made parties in claims over a deceased's estate Arahan Amalan JKSM No. 7 of 2022: Keperluan menjadikan semua ahli waris yang berhak dan berkepentingan sebagai pihak dalam kes tuntutan terhadap harta si mati | PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| No. 14 of 2021 | Faraid order format for successive estates (munasakhat) Arahan Amalan JKSM No. 14 of 2021: Pemakaian format perintah faraid bagi kes pusaka berlapis (al-munasakhat) | PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
| Federal subsidiary legislation | Small Estates (Distribution) Regulations 1955 Peraturan-Peraturan Harta Pusaka Kecil (Pembahagian) 1955 | Official ↗ |
| Act 299 | Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957 Akta Pendaftaran Kelahiran dan Kematian 1957 | PDF · PDF (BM) · Official ↗ |
Each law opens our mirror page: a copy of the official text with its capture date and version history, plus the official link.
Official links and forms
- JKPTG — small estates (pusaka kecil) ↗
- Amanah Raya Berhad ↗
- MyGovernment — distribution of estates ↗
- Baitulmal Sabah — faraid and Baitulmal (official note) ↗
Questions people ask
What is the current limit for a small estate?
RM5 million in total value (s 3(2)), counting land and movable property together, without deducting debts. The limit was raised from RM2 million by the 2022 amendment, which came into force on 15 July 2024.
Do Muslims and non-Muslims use the same procedure?
Yes. Act 98 is a federal civil law for everyone. The difference is the law of succession: faraid for Muslims, the Distribution Act 1958 for non-Muslims. The officer decides which applies (s 12(7)).
Do I need a faraid certificate?
For a Muslim estate the officer must determine the heirs and shares under Islamic law, and Syariah courts issue faraid certificates for this (for example Act 505 s 50 in the Federal Territories). Many distribution offices ask for one; check with your local unit.
Do I need a lawyer to make a will?
No. Any will that meets the Wills Act formalities is valid: in writing, signed at the end, and witnessed by two people present at the same time (s 5). A lawyer, trust company or Amanah Raya can help avoid mistakes, especially for larger or complicated estates.
Does getting married cancel my will?
Yes. Under Wills Act s 12, marriage revokes an earlier will, unless the will says it was made in contemplation of that particular marriage. Make a new will after you marry.
What is the difference between probate and letters of administration?
Probate is granted to the executor named in a valid will (PAA s 3). Letters of administration are granted when there is no will, or no executor willing or able to act, usually to the people entitled to the estate (s 30). Both give legal authority to collect and distribute the estate.
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