How to write a will in Singapore

How to write a will in Singapore, step by step

Creating your will in Singapore comes down to three steps:

1. Answer a few guided questions online – Tell us about you, your family, your assets, your beneficiaries, and your executor. It takes about an hour, your progress saves automatically, and you can finish across two or three sessions.
2. Review, then print and sign – Check that everything reflects your wishes, then print your will and sign it in front of two independent witnesses.
3. Store it safely – Keep the signed original somewhere safe and tell your executor where to find it. Your digital copy stays in your account, so you can update your will any time your life changes.

Before you start, it helps to have a few things ready: your full legal name and NRIC or passport number, the person you want as your executor and a substitute, your beneficiaries, guardians if your children are under 21, and a rough list of your assets.

The basics of creating a will

A will is both a legal document and a personal plan. It is a plan for your loved ones to understand your wishes and carry them out in your absence.

Beyond financial matters, wills also address guardianship of children and pets, enabling parents to specify custodial arrangements if both pass away unexpectedly.

There are two main methods of distributing assets in a will:

1. Specific gifts – Leave specific amounts of money, possessions, or accounts to identified individuals
2. Percentage allocation – Divide the remaining estate (after debts, taxes, and specified gifts) among beneficiaries by percentage

We recommend including substitute beneficiary designations to protect against scenarios where a primary beneficiary predeceases you.

Can you write your own will without a lawyer?

Yes. You do not need a lawyer to create a legally valid will in Singapore. As long as you are at least 21 and of sound mind, you can create your own will and have it recognised under Singapore law.

MakeGoodwill gives you a legally valid will without a lawyer – you answer a few guided questions, then print and sign your will in front of two independent witnesses. It is designed to comply with Singapore law, at a fraction of the cost of a traditional lawyer.

That said, some situations still call for tailored advice. If you have a complex estate, business interests, or assets overseas, it is worth speaking to an independent lawyer as well.

Distributing your estate

It's important to know that certain assets fall outside the governance of a will:

• CPF savings – Retirement accounts with a separate CPF nomination managed by the CPF Board
• Nominated life insurance policies – These are paid directly to the nominated beneficiary
• Joint bank accounts and properties – These operate under survivorship rules, passing automatically to the surviving account holder

These nominations are automatically fulfilled by the organisations that manage the funds upon death, regardless of what your will states.

What happens if you pass away without a will in Singapore?

If you pass away without a will – known as intestacy – you do not get to choose who inherits. Instead, your estate is divided using a fixed formula set out in the Intestate Succession Act 1967:

• Spouse, no children, no surviving parents – your spouse receives everything.
• Spouse and children – your spouse receives half, and your children share the other half.
• Spouse and parents, but no children – your spouse and parents each receive half.
• Children, no spouse – your children inherit in equal shares.
• No spouse or children – your estate passes to your parents, then siblings, then grandparents, then aunts and uncles, in that order.

A court-appointed administrator, or the Public Trustee, manages the process. The formula leaves no room for the people the law does not recognise as next of kin – unmarried partners, stepchildren, and close friends are all excluded, however much they meant to you. With a will, you decide who receives what, and who looks after it. Read our full guide on what happens if you pass away without a will.

Choosing guardians

When both parents pass away without guardianship arrangements in place, government intervention may be required to determine who cares for the children.

A guardian's key responsibilities include looking after the child's welfare and upbringing.

You can also name a temporary guardian to bridge any delays while permanent guardians obtain court approval. This ensures your children are immediately cared for by someone you trust. Read our full guide to appointing a legal guardian in Singapore.

Choosing an executor

An executor manages the entire estate administration process after you pass away. Their duties include:

• Identifying all accounts, investments, and assets
• Settling outstanding debts and taxes
• Notifying beneficiaries and guardians
• Distributing assets according to the will's specifications

When selecting an executor, prioritise trustworthiness, capability, and their willingness to navigate probate procedures. Read our full guide on choosing an executor.

What makes a will legally valid?

For a will to be legally valid in Singapore, the following requirements must be met:

• Age – The testator must be 21 years or older
• Mental competency – You must be of sound mind with clear wishes
• Documentation – Your will must be a printed, signed hard copy. Print it and sign it by hand in ink, black or blue – electronic or digital signatures, such as DocuSign, are not valid for a will.
• Witnesses – Two independent witnesses who are over 21, are not beneficiaries of the will, and are not married to a beneficiary. You and both witnesses must all be in the same room at the same time when you sign – signing over a video call, or separately, does not count.

There is no need to notarise or register your will. Once properly signed and witnessed, it is fully legally binding.

When you sign, sign or initial every page as well. Then keep the signed original somewhere safe and tell your executor where to find it.

How is the will carried out when someone passes away?

Upon notification of death, the following process takes place:

1. Financial institutions freeze all assets under the deceased's name
2. The executor locates and reviews the will
3. The executor collates all accounts and contacts next of kin
4. A grant of probate in Singapore is obtained from the court (independently or with legal assistance)
5. Institutions unfreeze accounts into estate accounts
6. Beneficiaries receive their distributions as specified in the will

Frequently asked questions