How to Write a Will in Singapore: What It Must Include and What to Avoid

Without a will, the Singapore Intestate Succession Act determines who inherits your assets and in what proportions. For Muslims, Faraid (Islamic inheritance law) applies instead. In both cases, the distribution may not match what you would have chosen. A will gives you control. Without one, you lose it.

Who Can Write a Will in Singapore

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Must have testamentary capacity: sound mind, able to understand the nature of making a will, aware of the assets being distributed, and aware of the people who would naturally expect to be considered.
• No citizenship or residency requirement. Anyone with assets in Singapore should have a Singapore will.

Important: CPF savings do not pass through a will. They are distributed through your CPF nomination to named nominees. These are entirely separate processes.

What a Valid Will Must Include

1. Testator's full name and NRIC number.
2. Date of execution.
3. Revocation clause: "This is my last will and testament, revoking all previous wills and codicils."
4. Beneficiaries: Full names and NRIC or passport numbers. Be specific about who receives what.
5. Distribution instructions: Either specific bequests (specific assets to specific people) or residual estate (everything remaining after specific bequests goes to...).
6. Executor appointment: The person who carries out the instructions in the will. Name a backup executor in case the primary cannot serve.
7. Guardian appointment: If you have minor children, name a guardian in case both parents die.
8. Testator's signature, signed in the presence of two witnesses.
9. Two witnesses' signatures, signed in the testator's presence. Witnesses cannot be beneficiaries or spouses of beneficiaries.

DIY Will vs Lawyer-Drafted Will

Common Mistakes That Invalidate a Will or Create Problems

• Witness is a beneficiary: Gifts to that beneficiary are void under Singapore law. The rest of the will may stand, but that beneficiary receives nothing.
• Incorrect execution: Both witnesses must sign in the testator's physical presence, and the testator must sign in the presence of both witnesses simultaneously. Remote or sequential signing is invalid.
• Not updated after major life events: Marriage automatically revokes a prior will in Singapore (unless made in contemplation of that specific marriage). Divorce does not revoke the will but revokes gifts to the former spouse. Birth of children, death of beneficiaries, and acquisition of new assets all warrant a review.
• No residual estate clause: Any asset not specifically named in the will and not covered by a residual clause falls into intestacy. Always include "all remaining assets not otherwise disposed of go to..."
• No backup executor: If the named executor dies before you or cannot serve, the court appoints one, causing delays and cost.

What a Will Cannot Do

• Transfer CPF savings — handled by CPF nomination.
• Transfer life insurance proceeds where a named beneficiary is already designated on the policy.
• Override an existing trust.
• For Muslims: a will can only freely distribute up to one-third of the estate. The remaining two-thirds follows Faraid proportions. A Muslim who wants to deviate from Faraid can use a hibah (gift inter vivos) for assets gifted during lifetime.

Probate: The Process After Death

Probate is the court process for validating a will and granting the executor legal authority to distribute the estate. In Singapore, probate typically takes 3-12 months and costs $3,000-$10,000 in legal fees depending on estate size and complexity.

Assets that bypass probate entirely: CPF savings (via nomination), jointly held bank accounts (right of survivorship), life insurance with named beneficiaries, assets held in trust. Planning your estate to maximise assets that bypass probate reduces time, cost, and family stress.

How Often to Update Your Will

Review your will after every major life event: marriage, divorce, birth of a child, death of a beneficiary or executor, purchase of new property, starting a business, or significant change in wealth. As a minimum, review every 5 years. A will that reflects your life at 30 is likely outdated at 45.

* All figures, percentages, and projections referenced in this article are for illustrative purposes only and are based on past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Actual results will vary depending on individual circumstances, market conditions, and the specific products or strategies selected. This article does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell any financial product. Please consult a qualified adviser before making any financial decisions.

* All figures, percentages, and projections referenced in this article are for illustrative purposes only and are based on past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Actual results will vary depending on individual circumstances, market conditions, and the specific products or strategies selected. This article does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell any financial product. Please consult a qualified adviser before making any financial decisions.