Frequently Asked Questions

No, you do not have to use a lawyer to write a Will in Singapore. You can write one yourself as long as it meets the legal requirements. However, many people choose to consult a lawyer to ensure their Will is legally valid, properly witnessed, and covers all your assets. A lawyer can also help you consider situations you may not have thought about, such as what happens if a beneficiary passes away before you. Even if your Will seems simple and straightforward, professional guidance can provide peace of mind, help avoid mistakes, and reduce the risk of disputes later on. The cost of fixing an invalid Will after your passing far exceeds the cost of getting it right the first time.

The cost of making a Will depends on how you choose to prepare it and how complex your situation is. For DIY or online templates: Free to about S$50 - S$400. For Lawyer-drafted Will: Typically S$150 - S$400 for a simple Will, and more for complex cases. The final cost may vary based on factors such as your assets, multiple properties, overseas assets, family arrangements, and whether legal advice is needed. Many firms offer fixed-fee pricing so you know the cost upfront.

If you pass away without a valid Will in Singapore, your estate is distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act. This means your assets may not go to the people you intended, and the process can be longer and more stressful for your family.

A Will takes effect after you pass away and determines how your assets are distributed. A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) takes effect while you are still alive — it appoints someone to make decisions for you if you lose mental capacity. Many people prepare both.

If you come prepared with your asset list, beneficiary details, and executor choice, most simple Wills can be completed in a single appointment of 60 to 90 minutes. The lawyer will typically draft the document during or shortly after the session, and you can review and sign it at the same visit or a brief follow-up. The entire process from first contact to signed Will usually takes one to two weeks.

Yes, you can write your own Will in Singapore. A Will does not have to be prepared by a lawyer to be valid, as long as it meets the legal requirements. For example, the Will must be in writing, signed by you (in wet ink), and witnessed by two people who are present at the same time. The witnesses should not be beneficiaries of the Will or spouses of beneficiaries. Because a small error can invalidate your Will, most people opt to have a lawyer draft the document to avoid problems.

Yes, a valid Will in Singapore requires two witnesses who are present at the same time when you sign. The witnesses must also sign the Will in your presence. Importantly, witnesses and their spouses cannot be beneficiaries of the Will. If they are, the gift to that beneficiary is void, though the rest of the Will remains valid. Your witnesses should be adults who are of sound mind.

Yes, you can change or revoke your Will at any time, as long as you have mental capacity. You can revoke a Will by making a new Will that expressly revokes the old one, by physically destroying the original, or by getting married (which automatically revokes any existing Will unless it was made in contemplation of that marriage). For minor changes, a lawyer can prepare a codicil, which is an amendment to your existing Will. For significant changes, it is usually better to draft an entirely new Will. It is good practice to review your Will every three to five years, or after major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or a significant change in assets.

CPF savings and insurance policies with nominated beneficiaries are not covered by your Will. CPF money is distributed according to your CPF nomination. If you have not made a CPF nomination, your CPF savings are transferred to the Public Trustee and distributed under the Intestate Succession Act or, for Muslims, under Faraid. You can make or update your CPF nomination for free at any CPF Service Centre or online through the CPF website. Similarly, insurance payouts go to the nominated beneficiary on the policy, not through your Will. It is important to keep your CPF and insurance nominations up to date alongside your Will.

It depends on how the flat is owned. If the HDB flat is held under joint tenancy, the surviving joint tenant automatically inherits the flat by the right of survivorship — this happens outside of your Will. If the flat is held as tenants-in-common, your share forms part of your estate and is distributed according to your Will, or the Intestate Succession Act if you do not have one. HDB also has specific eligibility rules, so the person inheriting the flat must meet HDB's ownership criteria. It is wise to discuss HDB ownership with your lawyer when making your Will.

Yes. Muslims in Singapore are subject to Islamic inheritance law or Faraid as administered by the Syariah Court. Under Faraid, specific shares are prescribed for family members and a Muslim can only bequeath up to one-third of their estate by Will — and that one-third generally cannot go to Faraid beneficiaries. The remaining two-thirds is distributed according to Faraid regardless of any Will. Muslims considering a Will should consult a lawyer experienced in both civil and Islamic estate planning to ensure their wishes are carried out within the law.

An executor is the person you appoint in your Will to carry out your wishes after you pass away. Their responsibilities include applying for a Grant of Probate, collecting your assets, paying any debts and taxes, and distributing the estate to your beneficiaries. Choose someone you trust who is responsible, organised, and ideally younger than you. Many people appoint a family member, close friend, or professional executor such as a trust company. You should always discuss the appointment with your chosen executor beforehand and consider naming an alternate in case your first choice is unable to serve.

You can keep your original signed Will at your home or store it in a safe and accessible place. Common options include your lawyer's office (many firms offer safekeeping storage services), a safe deposit box at a bank, or a fireproof safe at home. You can store information about your will, such as the date of the will and where your will is kept, on: My Legacy vault maintained by Singapore Government or the Wills Registry maintained by the Singapore Academy of Law. Both does not store your Will, but it records where the Will is kept and who drafted it, making it easier for your family to locate it. Let your executor and a trusted family member know where the original is stored. It is important to keep and store your will safely. Your executor will need to have the original signed Will and any codicil or codicils to apply for a Grant of Probate, in order to administer your estate according to your will.

A Singapore Will may or may not be recognised overseas, depending on the country. Some countries require a separate Will made under their local law to cover assets located there. Having multiple Wills can also create complications if they are not carefully coordinated. For example, a new Will in one country might unintentionally revoke your Singapore Will. If you own property, bank accounts, or investments overseas, you should consult a lawyer experienced in cross-border estate planning to ensure full coverage and advise whether you should consult a foreign lawyer.

An online Will can be legally valid in Singapore as long as it meets all the requirements of the Wills Act. Some online platforms help you draft the Will remotely but arrange for in-person signing and witnessing. However, purely digital or electronic Wills — where the document is signed electronically and never printed — are generally not recognised as valid under current Singapore law. If you use an online service, make sure the final Will is legally valid and enforceable.