Amendments passed in Civil Law Bill have safeguards to protect people against false claims after death

Singapore's Parliament has passed amendments to the Civil Law (Amendment) Bill.

The legislation clarifies the Law Minister's powers in relation to property which devolves to the government when a person dies and if he does so without a will or without a next-of-kin.

Moving the second reading of the Civil Law (Amendment) Bill in Parliament, Mr K Shanmugam explained that under section 27 of the Act, the Minister may transfer property to any person who has an equitable or moral claim to it.

CPF Monies where no nomination has been made, will also be included under the amendments.

Minister of Law and Foreign Affairs, K Shanmugam with his response to concerns over the authenticity of claims being made:

"It is a practice to wait for six months to pass after the death of the deceased before processing any claim. This is to allow time for  entitled next-of-kin to step forward. We will also  require claimants to submit supporting documents for example receipts of hospital or funeral expenses and if necessary, will ask for further documents"