The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Will in Singapore

The basics of writing 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 backup beneficiary designations to protect against scenarios where a primary beneficiary predeceases you.

Distributing your estate

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

• CPF savings — Retirement accounts with separate beneficiary nominations 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.

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
• Managing the child's personal property until they reach adulthood

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.

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 — The will must be a signed hard copy (printed and wet-signed)
• Witnesses — Two witnesses who are over 21, are not beneficiaries of the will, and are not related to any beneficiary

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

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 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