What to Bring to Your Will Appointment

Before your Will appointment, gather your personal identification documents. The most important is your NRIC (National Registration Identity Card) or passport if you are a foreign resident. Your lawyer will need your full legal name, NRIC or passport number, date of birth, and current address.

If you have been married, bring your marriage certificate. If you have been divorced, bring the divorce papers — in Singapore, divorce does not automatically revoke your entire Will, but it does revoke provisions relating to your former spouse. Your lawyer will need to know your current marital status to advise you properly.

If you have children, note down their full names, dates of birth, and NRIC or passport numbers. This applies to all your children, including those from previous relationships. The more complete your personal information is at the appointment, the faster and smoother the process will be.

Compile details of all your assets. For bank accounts, note the bank name, account type (savings, fixed deposit, joint), and approximate balance. You do not need to bring bank statements, but having the information handy helps your lawyer understand your estate.

For property, bring the address and note whether it is held as joint tenancy or tenancy-in-common, and whether it is an HDB flat, private condominium, or landed property. If you have an outstanding mortgage, note the approximate balance. For HDB flats, be aware that the ownership structure determines whether the flat can be distributed through your Will.

For CPF savings, check your CPF nomination status. If you have made a CPF nomination, your CPF savings will go to your nominees regardless of what your Will says. If you have not made a nomination, your CPF savings are distributed under intestacy rules. Your lawyer can advise on whether your CPF nomination and Will are aligned.

For insurance policies, list each policy with the insurer, policy number, and whether you have made a beneficiary nomination. Like CPF, insurance policies with trust nominations are paid out directly to the nominees and do not form part of your estate.

Also list any shares, unit trusts, investment accounts, vehicles, valuable jewellery, art, cryptocurrency, and other significant assets. For each, note where it is held and its approximate value.

Come prepared with the full names and NRIC or passport numbers of everyone you want to include in your Will. This means your beneficiaries — the people who will receive your assets — and your executor — the person who will administer your estate.

For each beneficiary, know exactly what you want them to receive. This could be a specific asset (such as a particular property or piece of jewellery), a fixed sum of money, or a percentage share of your residuary estate. Think about backup beneficiaries as well — if a primary beneficiary passes away before you, who should receive their share instead?

For your executor, choose someone who is trustworthy, organised, and willing to take on the responsibility. An executor's duties include locating and securing your assets, paying off debts and liabilities, filing any necessary tax returns, and distributing assets to your beneficiaries. It is a significant role, so discuss it with your chosen person before the appointment.

If you have minor children, bring details of your preferred guardian — the person you want to raise your children if both parents pass away. Include their full name, NRIC, and relationship to you. Consider naming an alternate guardian as well.

Beyond the basics, think about whether you have any specific wishes you want included in your Will. Some people want to leave particular items to particular people — a family heirloom to a grandchild, a book collection to a friend, or a donation to a charity. If so, note down the details of these specific gifts.

If you have dependents with special needs, bring relevant information about their care requirements and any existing support arrangements. Your lawyer may recommend a testamentary trust to provide for their long-term needs.

Consider whether you want to include funeral wishes in your Will, such as burial versus cremation preferences or instructions for a specific type of ceremony. While these wishes are not legally binding, they provide guidance to your family and can prevent disagreements during an emotional time.

If you own a business, bring information about the business structure — sole proprietorship, partnership, or private limited company — along with any shareholder agreements or partnership deeds. Your lawyer will need this to advise on business succession.

Finally, if you have already made a Will, bring it along. Your lawyer will review it and advise on whether it should be updated or replaced entirely. If you have an existing Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), mention this as well so your lawyer can ensure your Will and LPA are consistent with each other.