Everything you need to know about writing a will in Singapore. Understand requirements, costs, and the process. Connect with qualified will writing lawyers to protect your family's future.
A will (also called a "last will and testament") is a legal document that specifies how your assets should be distributed after your death. It names executors to carry out your wishes, guardians for minor children, and specific beneficiaries for your property, money, and possessions.
You can make a valid will in Singapore if you:
If you die without a valid will in Singapore, the Intestate Succession Act determines who inherits your assets. This may NOT match your wishes:
| Surviving Relatives | Distribution |
|---|---|
| Spouse + Children | 50% spouse, 50% children (divided equally) |
| Spouse + Parents | 50% spouse, 50% parents |
| Spouse only | 100% spouse |
| Children only | 100% divided equally among children |
| Parents only | 100% parents |
| Siblings only | 100% divided equally among siblings |
| No relatives | Assets go to government |
If your will doesn't meet ALL legal requirements, it may be declared invalid. This means intestacy rules apply, defeating the entire purpose of making a will.
Basic document distributing straightforward assets to clear beneficiaries. No trusts, guardianship, or complex provisions.
Cost: S$200 - S$800
Time: 1-2 weeks
More detailed document with specific bequests, guardianship provisions, and instructions for various scenarios.
Cost: S$800 - S$2,000
Time: 2-4 weeks
Sophisticated document for complex estates with business interests, multiple properties, international assets, or trust provisions.
Cost: S$2,000 - S$10,000+
Time: 4-12 weeks
Matching wills for married couples or partners where each leaves everything to the other, then to same beneficiaries.
Cost: S$400 - S$1,500 for both
Benefit: 20-30% cheaper than two separate wills
💡 Tip: Choose people who are organized, trustworthy, and younger than you
⚠️ Critical: Without guardianship clause, courts decide who raises your children
📝 Note: These are wishes, not legally binding. Family can override.
List ALL assets: properties, bank accounts, investments, CPF, insurance, vehicles, businesses, jewelry, valuables, digital assets. Don't forget overseas assets.
Timeline: 1-2 days | Cost: Free (DIY)
Determine who gets what. Consider percentages vs specific amounts. Name backup beneficiaries. Decide on guardians for children.
Timeline: Few days to weeks | Requires family discussion
Select 1-3 trusted individuals to carry out your wishes. Consider their age, location, financial knowledge, and relationship with beneficiaries. Name backups.
Recommended: Family member + lawyer or professional
Either use will writing service/lawyer OR DIY with template. Ensure all legal requirements met. Include all necessary clauses. Use clear, unambiguous language.
Timeline: 1-4 weeks | Cost: S$0-10,000 depending on method
Check for errors, ambiguities, missing clauses. Ensure all assets covered. Verify beneficiary details correct. Confirm executors willing to serve.
Critical: Errors can invalidate will or cause family disputes
Sign at end of document in presence of TWO witnesses (both present together). Witnesses must NOT be beneficiaries. Witnesses sign in your presence.
⚠️ Must meet ALL execution requirements or will is invalid
Keep original in safe place (lawyer's office, safe deposit box, fireproof safe). Tell executor where will is stored. Consider registering with Wills Registry.
💡 Make copies but mark them "COPY" to avoid confusion
| Method | Cost Range | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY Template | FREE - S$50 | Cheapest, quick | High error risk, no advice |
| Online Will Service | S$100 - S$400 | Affordable, guided | Generic, limited customization |
| Will Writing Service | S$200 - S$800 | Professional, affordable | May lack legal expertise |
| Lawyer (Simple Will) | S$500 - S$1,500 | Legal advice, customized | More expensive |
| Lawyer (Standard Will) | S$800 - S$2,500 | Comprehensive, expert | Higher cost |
| Lawyer (Complex Will) | S$2,000 - S$10,000+ | Handles complexity | Most expensive |
| Mirror Wills (Couple) | S$400 - S$1,500 | Package discount | Only for aligned wishes |
S$200-500
Will writing service or basic lawyer
Good for: Simple estates, straightforward distribution
S$800-2,000
Experienced lawyer, standard will
Good for: Most families, multiple assets
S$2,000-10,000+
Specialist lawyer, complex estate
Good for: Business owners, trusts, international assets
| Factor | DIY Will | Lawyer-Drafted Will |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ✓ Free - S$400 | ✗ S$500 - S$10,000+ |
| Time | ✓ Few hours to days | 2-6 weeks |
| Legal Advice | ✗ None | ✓ Expert guidance |
| Error Risk | ✗ HIGH - common mistakes | ✓ LOW - professionally reviewed |
| Customization | ✗ Limited to templates | ✓ Fully customized |
| Complex Situations | ✗ Not suitable | ✓ Handles complexity |
| Tax Planning | ✗ None | ✓ Optimized |
| Validity Confidence | ✗ Uncertain | ✓ Legally sound |
For most people, the cost difference between DIY (S$0-400) and basic professional will (S$500-800) is minimal compared to estate value and potential problems. A S$500 investment to ensure your S$500,000+ estate is properly distributed is worthwhile.
Bottom line: If your estate is worth more than S$100,000 or has ANY complexity, use a lawyer. The risk of DIY errors far outweighs the modest savings.
If a beneficiary or their spouse witnesses your will, they forfeit their entire inheritance. This is the most common mistake. Use completely independent witnesses (neighbors, colleagues, etc.).
70% of Singaporeans die without wills. Intestacy rules then apply, which may distribute your estate contrary to your wishes and freeze assets for 6-12 months.
"Divide my estate among my children" - does this include stepchildren? Adopted children? Illegitimate children? Be specific with full legal names and NRIC numbers.
Wills do NOT cover CPF or insurance policies. These require separate nominations. Without CPF nomination, it's distributed by law (NOT your will), which may not match your wishes.
Marriage automatically revokes your will (you need a new one). Divorce, births, deaths, major asset changes all require updates. An outdated will causes more problems than no will.
If you have children under 21 and don't name guardians, courts decide who raises them. This can lead to family disputes and unsuitable placements.
Don't choose executors who: live overseas, are elderly/sick, lack financial knowledge, have conflicts with beneficiaries, or are untrustworthy. Pick organized, younger, local people.
If nobody knows where your will is, it's useless. Tell your executor the exact location. Keep copies (marked "COPY") with family members.
Not signing at the end, only one witness, witnesses not present together, unsigned by witnesses - any of these invalidates your will entirely.
HDB flats have special rules. Joint tenancy automatically passes to survivor (your will doesn't control this). Tenancy-in-common follows your will. Know which you have.
Review and update your will every 3-5 years AND immediately after:
A codicil is a supplementary document making small changes to your existing will without redrafting the entire document.
Good For:
Cost: S$150-500
⚠️ Warning: Must be executed with same formality as original will (signature + 2 witnesses)
Write entirely new will that revokes all previous wills. Clearer and safer than multiple codicils.
Good For:
Cost: S$300-2,000+
✓ Recommended: For major changes, new will is clearer than codicil
Any alterations to an executed will must be witnessed again by 2 witnesses, or the changes are invalid.
Costs range from FREE (DIY templates) to S$10,000+ (complex lawyer-drafted wills). Typical costs: DIY S$0-400, will writing service S$200-800, simple lawyer will S$500-1,500, standard will S$800-2,500, complex will S$2,000-10,000+. For most people, budget S$500-1,500 for a professionally drafted will.
No, you can write your own will (DIY) as long as it meets legal requirements. However, for estates over S$100,000 or with any complexity, professional drafting is strongly recommended. DIY wills often have errors that can invalidate them or cause family disputes. The modest cost of a lawyer (S$500-1,500) is worthwhile insurance for proper estate distribution.
Requirements: (1) Be at least 21 years old with mental capacity, (2) Will must be in writing, (3) Sign at the END of the document, (4) TWO witnesses must be present together when you sign, (5) Both witnesses must sign in your presence, (6) Witnesses CANNOT be beneficiaries or spouses of beneficiaries, (7) Will must be made voluntarily without undue influence. Missing ANY requirement invalidates the will.
YES. Marriage automatically revokes (cancels) any will made before the marriage, unless the will was made "in contemplation of marriage" to a specific person. After you get married, you MUST make a new will. This is one of the most important and often-forgotten rules.
Yes, but it's risky. DIY wills often have errors: beneficiaries as witnesses (they lose inheritance), improper execution (invalidates will), vague language (causes disputes), or missing clauses. If your estate exceeds S$100,000 or has ANY complexity (property, business, minor children, multiple beneficiaries), use a lawyer. A S$500-800 professionally drafted will is cheap insurance for a S$500,000+ estate.
Your assets are distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act, NOT your wishes. This means: (1) Rigid formula determines who inherits (may not match your preferences), (2) Unmarried partners get NOTHING, (3) 6-12 month asset freeze during probate, (4) You cannot choose executors or guardians for children, (5) Higher costs and court involvement, (6) Potential family disputes. Solution: Make a will NOW to control your estate.
NO. CPF savings are NOT covered by your will. CPF requires a separate CPF Nomination (make it free at any CPF office or online). If you have CPF nomination, CPF goes directly to nominees without probate. Without CPF nomination, CPF is distributed by law (NOT by your will) which may not match your wishes. Make BOTH a will AND CPF nomination.
Review your will every 3-5 years and update IMMEDIATELY after major life events: marriage (revokes previous will!), divorce, birth/adoption of children, death of beneficiary/executor, major asset changes (buy/sell property), moving countries, or changed family relationships. An outdated will can cause more problems than no will at all.
Get matched with experienced will writing lawyers in Singapore. Protect your family's future with a professionally drafted will.