Navigate Singapore's estate planning landscape with confidence. From simple wills to complex trust structures, understand your options and connect with qualified professionals to protect your family's future.
Estate planning is the process of arranging how your assets will be distributed after your death, while minimizing taxes, costs, and family disputes. In Singapore, comprehensive estate planning encompasses wills, trusts, insurance policies, CPF nominations, and powers of attorney.
Unlike many countries, Singapore has no estate tax (abolished in 2008), making it an ideal location for wealth preservation. However, this doesn't mean estate planning is unnecessary. Without proper planning, your assets could be frozen for months, distributed contrary to your wishes, or cause significant family conflict.
Estate planning is essential if you:
If you die without a valid will in Singapore, the Intestate Succession Act determines who inherits your assets. This may not align with your wishes:
| Surviving Relatives | Distribution |
|---|---|
| Spouse + children | 50% to spouse, 50% divided among children |
| Spouse + parents (no children) | 50% to spouse, 50% to parents |
| Spouse only | 100% to spouse |
| Children only (no spouse) | 100% divided equally among children |
| Parents only (no spouse/children) | 100% to parents |
| Siblings only | 100% divided equally among siblings |
Your bank accounts, properties, and investments will be frozen for 6-12 months during probate, leaving your family without access to funds.
Without clear instructions, family members may fight over your estate, destroying relationships and incurring legal costs.
Your estate may go to people you didn't intend, such as estranged relatives, while excluding loved ones like unmarried partners.
If you own a business, operations may cease without clear succession planning, destroying years of work.
A legal document specifying how your assets should be distributed after death. It names executors, guardians for minor children, and specific bequests. Essential for anyone with assets or dependents.
Cost Range: S$200 - S$3,000 depending on complexity
Legal arrangements where assets are held by trustees for beneficiaries. Provides asset protection, tax planning, and control beyond death. Particularly useful for complex estates, minors, or special needs beneficiaries.
Cost Range: S$5,000 - S$25,000+ for setup, ongoing trustee fees apply
Central Provident Fund balances can total hundreds of thousands of dollars. A CPF nomination allows direct distribution to named beneficiaries without going through probate, providing immediate access to funds.
Cost: Free at CPF offices
Appoints someone to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity. Covers property, finances, and personal welfare. Critical for aging populations and should be executed while you still have capacity.
Cost Range: S$200 - S$800 plus registration fees
Insurance proceeds can provide immediate liquidity for your family. Proper nomination of beneficiaries ensures proceeds bypass probate. Can also be placed in trust for enhanced protection.
Integrated with overall estate plan
For business owners, this ensures smooth transition of ownership and management. May include shareholder agreements, buy-sell arrangements, and management succession plans.
Cost Range: S$5,000 - S$50,000+ depending on business complexity
Singapore abolished estate duty in 2008, making it highly attractive for wealth preservation. However, you may still face estate taxes in your home country if you're an expatriate.
HDB flats cannot be held in trust and have specific inheritance rules. Joint tenancy vs tenancy-in-common significantly affects how your HDB is passed on.
For expatriates or those with overseas assets, you may need multiple wills to cover different jurisdictions. Professional advice is essential to avoid conflicts between wills.
Basic distribution of assets to straightforward beneficiaries. Suitable for singles or couples with simple estates.
S$200-800
DIY to basic lawyer
Multiple beneficiaries, specific bequests, guardianship provisions. Covers most family situations.
S$800-2,000
Professional drafting
Multiple properties, business interests, overseas assets, trust provisions, tax planning.
S$2,000-10,000+
Specialist required
While DIY will kits are available, they often lead to problems. Ambiguous wording, missing clauses, or improper execution can invalidate your will or create family disputes. For estates over S$100,000 or with any complexity, professional drafting is strongly recommended.
Trusts offer sophisticated wealth management and protection beyond what wills provide. They're increasingly popular in Singapore for asset protection, privacy, and multi-generational wealth transfer.
Created during your lifetime, takes effect immediately. You can be both settlor and beneficiary. Provides immediate asset protection and avoids probate.
Setup: S$8,000 - S$20,000 | Annual Fees: 0.5-1.5% of trust assets
Created through your will, takes effect upon death. Common for providing for minors or vulnerable beneficiaries. Assets still go through probate.
Setup: Included in will (S$3,000 - S$10,000) | Annual Fees: 0.5-1.5% of trust assets
Insurance policies placed in trust. Proceeds bypass probate and provide immediate liquidity. Protects death benefits from creditors and estate claims.
Setup: S$1,500 - S$5,000 | Low ongoing costs
Understanding estate planning costs helps you budget appropriately and avoid surprises. Prices vary significantly based on complexity and provider.
| Service | DIY/Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Will | S$200-400 | S$500-1,200 | S$1,200-2,500 |
| Complex Will | Not recommended | S$2,000-5,000 | S$5,000-15,000 |
| Living Trust | Not available | S$8,000-15,000 | S$15,000-40,000 |
| LPA (Simple) | S$200-300 | S$400-600 | S$600-1,000 |
| CPF Nomination | FREE at CPF offices | ||
| Business Succession Plan | Not available | S$10,000-30,000 | S$30,000-100,000+ |
Create comprehensive list of all assets: properties, bank accounts, investments, CPF, insurance policies, business interests, overseas assets, digital assets, and personal items of value.
Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Decide who inherits what, who will execute your will, who will be guardians for minor children, and who you trust to manage assets through trusts.
Timeline: 1-2 weeks of consideration
Select estate planning lawyer, financial advisor, or trust company. Consider expertise, fees, reputation, and communication style. Get multiple quotes.
Timeline: 1-3 weeks
Professional drafts will, trust deeds, LPA, and other documents. Review carefully for accuracy. Request clarification on complex clauses.
Timeline: 2-6 weeks
Sign will with two witnesses present. Register LPA with Office of Public Guardian. Make CPF nomination at CPF office. Set up trusts if applicable.
Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Tell your executor where documents are stored. Consider informing beneficiaries of general plans (without specifics). Give copies to trusted family members.
Timeline: 1 week
Review and update every 3-5 years or after major life events: marriage, divorce, birth of children, significant asset changes, death of executor/beneficiary.
Ongoing: Lifetime commitment
Simple estate plan: 6-8 weeks
Complex estate plan with trusts: 3-6 months
70% of Singaporeans don't have wills. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Start today, even with a simple will.
If a beneficiary (or their spouse) witnesses your will, they forfeit their inheritance. Use independent witnesses only.
CPF can be your largest asset (S$200K-500K+). Without nomination, it's distributed by law (not your will), which may not match your wishes.
Cryptocurrency, online businesses, digital photos, social media accounts all need planning. Include access instructions for executors.
Marriage, divorce, children, property purchases all require will updates. An outdated will causes more problems than no will.
Don't choose executors who live overseas, are elderly, lack financial knowledge, or have conflicts of interest with beneficiaries.
"Divide equally among my children" - does this include stepchildren? Illegitimate children? Adopted children? Be specific.
While Singapore has no estate tax, your home country might. Americans, in particular, face complex estate tax rules regardless of residence.
If all your wealth is in property, how will your family pay funeral costs, debts, and living expenses during probate? Plan for liquidity.
If nobody knows where your will is stored, it's useless. Tell your executor the location and keep copies in safe places.
Specialize in wills, trusts, and probate law. Essential for complex estates, business succession, or multi-jurisdictional planning.
Best for: Complex estates, legal disputes, business owners
Integrate estate planning with overall financial planning. Good for insurance-based solutions and wealth accumulation strategies.
Best for: Insurance planning, investment integration
Professional trustees for large estates. Provide ongoing trust administration, investment management, and fiduciary services.
Best for: Estates over S$5M, long-term trusts
Take our 3-minute assessment and receive personalized recommendations from up to 3 qualified estate planning professionals who match your specific needs and budget.
Start Free AssessmentNo, you can write your own will as long as it meets legal requirements. However, for estates over S$100,000 or with any complexity, professional drafting is highly recommended to avoid ambiguities, mistakes, or invalid clauses that could be challenged in court.
Simple wills range from S$200-2,000. Complex wills can cost S$2,000-10,000+. Living trusts typically start at S$8,000 and can exceed S$40,000 for sophisticated structures. The cost depends on estate complexity, professional chosen, and services bundled together.
Your assets will be distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act (or Muslim Law Act for Muslims). This rigid framework may not match your wishes, takes longer to administer, and can cause family disputes. Additionally, you cannot choose your executor or guardians for minor children.
No. Singapore abolished estate duty in 2008, so there is no estate tax on assets located in Singapore. However, if you're an expatriate or hold overseas assets, you may be subject to estate taxes in your home country or where assets are located.
Review your will every 3-5 years and update immediately after major life events: marriage, divorce, birth of children, significant asset changes, death of executor or beneficiaries, or if you move countries. An outdated will can cause more problems than no will at all.
A will takes effect after death and must go through probate. A living trust takes effect immediately, avoids probate, provides asset protection, and continues operating after death. Trusts are more expensive but offer greater control, privacy, and protection. Most comprehensive estate plans include both.
Take our free 3-minute assessment to get personalized recommendations from qualified estate planning professionals in Singapore