Complete Guide to Making a Will in Singapore

A Will is a legal document that spells out how you want your assets to be distributed after you pass away. It allows you to name the people — or organisations — who should receive your property, savings, investments, and personal belongings. Without one, the law decides for you, and the outcome may not match your wishes.

Beyond distributing assets, a Will also lets you appoint an executor — the person you trust to carry out your instructions. If you have young children, you can name a guardian to look after them, which is one of the most important decisions any parent can make.

In Singapore, a valid Will must meet several legal requirements under the Wills Act. You must be at least 21 years old and of sound mind when you sign. The Will must be in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by two people who are both present at the same time when you sign. The witnesses cannot be beneficiaries or spouses of beneficiaries — otherwise, their gift under the Will may be voided.

A properly drafted Will gives you peace of mind that your loved ones are taken care of and that your estate will be handled according to your wishes.

Muslims in Singapore can make a Shariah-compliant Will under the Administration of Muslim Law Act, which follows Islamic inheritance rules.

The short answer: almost everyone aged 21 and above. But certain life situations make having a Will especially important.

Married couples often assume everything goes to the surviving spouse automatically. That is not the case in Singapore. Under the default intestacy rules, your estate is split between your spouse and children (or your spouse and parents, if you have no children). A Will lets you decide the proportions and include specific gifts.

Parents with young children need a Will more than most. It is the only way to formally name a guardian — the person who will raise your children if something happens to both parents. Without this, the court decides.

HDB flat owners who hold their property as tenants-in-common (rather than joint tenants) must have a Will to direct their share of the flat. This is common among couples who have used CPF to pay for their flat.

Business owners should ensure their company shares and interests are addressed, so the business can continue operating or be wound down in an orderly way.

Singles benefit from a Will too. Without one, your estate goes to your parents, then siblings, following the rigid intestacy rules. You may prefer to leave something to a close friend, a partner, or a charity — and that only happens with a Will.

If you die without a valid Will in Singapore, your estate is distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act (for non-Muslims) or the Administration of Muslim Law Act (for Muslims). The law applies a fixed order of relatives and set shares.

The distribution depends on which relatives survive you. For example, a spouse and children share the estate in fixed proportions. If there is a spouse and parents but no children, the spouse and parents share the estate. If there is no spouse, the estate passes to children, then to parents, then to siblings, and so on. For muslim, refer to the Islamic inheritance law or Faraid which governs the distribution of a deceased Muslim’s assets (estate), by determining their heirs and the shares, based on guidance from the Quran and Hadith.

Several important groups receive nothing under intestacy. Unmarried partners, stepchildren, close friends, and charities are completely excluded. If you want any of these people or organisations to inherit from you, you must have a Will.

The practical process can also take longer. Someone must apply to court for Letters of Administration before the estate can be handled, which is typically slower than probate with a Will.

The cost of making a Will in Singapore varies depending on the complexity of your estate and the service provider you choose. Most firms offer fixed-fee pricing, so you know exactly what you will pay before committing. Here are the typical price ranges:

In Singapore, there is no legal requirement to use a lawyer to write your Will. You can draft one yourself, use an online template, or engage a non-lawyer Will writing service. Many people still choose a lawyer, especially when their situation is more complex.

The risks of a DIY Will are real. Common mistakes include improper witnessing (which can invalidate the entire document), ambiguous wording that leads to disputes among beneficiaries, and failing to account for all assets. A Will that is technically invalid means your estate will be distributed under the intestacy rules which is exactly the outcome you were trying to avoid.

That said, non-lawyer Will writing services can work well for very simple estates. For instance, if you are single, have straightforward assets, and want to leave everything to one or two people. These services are typically cheaper and may be sufficient for basic needs.

For those who want more guidance, a lawyer can help clarify the legal requirements and how different assets are handled, such as CPF nominations, insurance nominations, and Lasting Power of Attorney.

A Will and a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) are two different documents that serve different purposes. Understanding the distinction is important because you likely need both.

A Will takes effect only after you pass away. It governs how your assets are distributed and who carries out your wishes. A LPA, on the other hand, takes effect during your lifetime — specifically, if you lose mental capacity due to illness, accident, or age-related conditions such as dementia. It appoints someone you trust (called a “donee”) to make decisions about your personal welfare and property on your behalf.

Without a LPA, your family would need to apply to the court for a deputyship order to manage your affairs if you become incapacitated. This process is time-consuming, expensive, and stressful for your loved ones.

Many people choose to prepare both documents at the same time. Some firms offer bundle pricing for a Will and LPA together, which can make it simpler to handle both scenarios — what happens during your lifetime and what happens after.

Not all Will writing services are the same. Whether you choose a law firm, a boutique estate planning practice, or a non-lawyer service, here is a practical checklist to help you evaluate your options:

Being well-prepared for your appointment saves time, reduces costs, and helps your lawyer draft a more accurate Will. Here is what you should gather beforehand:

Even with the best intentions, many people make avoidable errors when it comes to their Will. Here are seven of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.