14% of Singaporeans say they have a Will but it is inadequate or does not properly express their wishes (Source: STEP.org)
Failure to make legacy plans early can spark bitter family fights (Source: The Straits Times)
Dying without a will: 48% of Singaporeans surveyed do not have one (Source: The Straits Times)
4 Things Are Not Included in a Will
A Will is a powerful first step in estate planning. But in Singapore, it is only one part of the bigger picture.
Many people assume their Will covers everything. In reality, several key assets are not governed by your Will at all, including:
Property Under Joint Tenancy
Joint Bank Accounts
Irrevocable Insurance Nominations
CPF Savings
These assets follow their own legal structures — which means your family may still face confusion, delays, or unintended outcomes.
“Dad had a Will - but which insurers was he covered with? We had no idea where to even begin.”
“Mum updated her Will after the divorce. But her CPF Nomination? It still named her ex-husband. Nobody knew.”
Property under joint tenancy & Joint Bank Account
Property held in joint tenancy & Joint bank accounts typically pass automatically to the surviving account holder through the right of survivorship. Thus, bypassing the will entirely since the asset is no longer part of the deceased's estate.
Irrevocable Insurance Nominations
An irrevocable nomination creates a binding trust in favour of the named beneficiary at the time it's made - the policy proceeds are effectively locked in for that person and can't be changed later without their consent. Thus, it does not form part of the deceased's estate.
CPF Savings
CPF savings are governed entirely by a separate CPF Nomination - a legal instruction that many Singaporeans set up years ago, but rarely review.
If you're married:
Your CPF Nomination is automatically revoked once you marry. If you haven’t updated it since, your CPF savings may currently have no valid nomination.If you’re divorced:
Your CPF Nomination is not automatically revoked. Your ex-spouse may still be listed as your beneficiary unless you change it.If you have children:
Without a valid CPF Nomination, your CPF savings will not be distributed under your Will. Instead, they will be handled by the Public Trustee’s Office - a process that can be slow, rigid, and outside your control.
Closing Thought
At Alps Wills, we ensure these gaps are not overlooked. Our service includes CPF nomination support so your estate plan is complete and clear.
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