Estate Administration Malaysia: Probate, Amanah Raya

When a family member dies: estate, insurance and unclaimed money

For non-Muslims in Malaysia, how you handle a family member’s estate depends on whether there is a will and how much the estate is worth: probate with a will, the land office for estates up to RM5 million, Amanah Raya for movable assets up to RM600,000, or the High Court. You should also check their insurance policies and unclaimed money.

Lulu Loke
Updated 2026-10-24

Which route applies

Situation	Route	Where
There is a valid will	Grant of Probate	High Court
No will, estate up to RM5 million	Small estate distribution	Land office estate distribution unit (apply online via MyLand)
No will, only movable assets up to RM600,000	Summary administration	Amanah Raya Berhad
No will, estate above RM5 million, or disputed	Letters of Administration	High Court

The RM5 million small estate limit took effect in July 2024. Malaysia has no inheritance tax, though there are legal, court and transfer costs.

First steps for the family

Get the death certificate and several certified copies.
Look for a will: the deceased’s papers, their lawyer, a will writing company or a trust company.
List the assets and debts: property, bank accounts, EPF, shares, vehicles, insurance, loans and credit cards.
Tell banks and insurers. Accounts are usually frozen until the estate is administered; some banks allow limited withdrawals for funeral costs.

Find the deceased’s insurance policies

Semak Kasih (semak-kasih.mycoverage.my): a free portal by LIAM and the Malaysian Takaful Association, launched in 2026. Enter the deceased’s details and upload the death certificate; if a match is found, you get the insurer’s contact.
Check bank statements and emails for premium payments, and contact any agent they used.
Policies with a valid nomination are paid to the nominee directly, without waiting for the estate process. Policies without a nominee are paid to the estate.

Check for unclaimed money (eGUMIS)

Money left untouched for years, such as dormant bank accounts or unclaimed insurance payouts, is transferred to the Accountant General’s Department. Search free at egumis.anm.gov.my or in the MyGOV app with the deceased’s IC number. To claim for someone who has died, you generally need the grant, Amanah Raya order or distribution order. No agent is needed; it’s free.

Spare your family the same process

A will speeds up the estate through probate, and insurance and EPF nominations put money in your family’s hands quickly. Lulu is a Rockwills representative and can help with will writing and legacy planning.

Questions people ask

What happens if someone dies without a will in Malaysia?

For non-Muslims, the estate is distributed under the Distribution Act 1958 and the family must apply through the land office, Amanah Raya or the High Court, depending on the estate’s value and type.

What is the small estate limit in Malaysia?

Estates without a will worth up to RM5 million can be distributed through the land office’s small estate process, since July 2024.

When can Amanah Raya handle an estate?

Amanah Raya can do summary administration when the estate has only movable assets, such as cash, EPF or shares, worth up to RM600,000.

How do I find out if my late parent had insurance?

Use the free Semak Kasih portal by LIAM and MTA, check bank statements for premiums, and contact their agent or insurers.

How do I check unclaimed money in Malaysia?

Search for free on egumis.anm.gov.my or the MyGOV app using the IC number.