What Is a Will in Singapore?

A Will is a legal document that sets out your instructions for how your assets should be distributed after you pass away. It names the people or organisations you want to inherit your property, savings, investments, and personal belongings. It also appoints an executor — the person responsible for carrying out those instructions.

In Singapore, a Will is one of the most important documents you can have. Without one, the law decides who receives your assets, and the process of administering your estate becomes longer, more expensive, and more stressful for your family. A Will gives you control and gives your loved ones clarity during a difficult time.

A Will is not just about money or property. It is also the document where you can name a guardian for your minor children, express your wishes for specific personal items, and even indicate your preferences for funeral arrangements. It is, in essence, your final set of instructions to the people you leave behind.

Singapore law sets out clear requirements for a Will to be legally valid. Under the Wills Act, the person making the Will — known as the testator — must be at least 21 years old and of sound mind. Sound mind means you understand what a Will is, what assets you own, and who your beneficiaries are at the time of making the Will.

The Will must be in writing. It can be typed or handwritten, but oral Wills are not valid in Singapore. The testator must sign the Will at the foot or end of the document. If the testator is physically unable to sign, another person may sign on their behalf in their presence and at their direction.

Two witnesses must be present when the testator signs the Will, and both witnesses must also sign the document. Importantly, a witness (or the spouse of a witness) cannot be a beneficiary under the Will. If a beneficiary witnesses the Will, they lose their entitlement under it. This is one of the most common mistakes in DIY Wills and a key reason why professional guidance is valuable.

The most common type is a simple Will, which covers straightforward asset distribution — for example, leaving everything to your spouse, or splitting your estate equally among your children. This is suitable for most people with uncomplicated family structures and local assets.

A complex Will involves additional provisions such as testamentary trusts, conditions on inheritance, arrangements for overseas assets, or instructions for business succession. If you own property abroad, have a blended family, or run a business, you will likely need a more detailed Will.

For Muslims in Singapore, estate planning operates under a different framework. Under the Administration of Muslim Law Act, Muslims can make a Will (known as a wasiat), but it generally covers only up to one-third of the estate, and the beneficiaries of that portion typically cannot be those who already inherit under Islamic inheritance law or Faraid. The remaining two-thirds is distributed according to Faraid. Muslim individuals should consult a lawyer familiar with both civil and Islamic estate planning.

A Will covers most of the assets you own in your sole name — bank accounts, shares, unit trusts, vehicles, jewellery, art, and your share of any property held as tenants-in-common. It also lets you make specific gifts, such as leaving a particular item to a particular person, and residuary gifts that cover everything else.

However, there are important assets that a Will does not control. Your Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings are distributed according to your CPF nomination, not your Will. If you have not made a CPF nomination, your CPF savings are distributed under the Intestate Succession Act or, for Muslims, under Faraid — but still not through your Will.

Similarly, insurance policies with nominated beneficiaries are paid out directly to those nominees and do not form part of your estate. Property held under joint tenancy passes automatically to the surviving joint tenant by the right of survivorship, regardless of what your Will says.

Understanding these limitations is essential for proper estate planning. A comprehensive plan considers all your assets — those covered by your Will and those that are not — to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.