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)
Making a Will in Singapore: A Complete Guide for Families
Who would inherit your savings and property, or raise your children, if you passed away unexpectedly? Making a will in Singapore lets you decide that yourself. Anyone aged 21 or above and of sound mind can make one, as long as it is written down, signed by you at the end, and signed by two witnesses who watched you sign together.
Why Making a Will Matters for Singapore Families
With a will, the big decisions about your estate stay with you. You choose who receives your assets, who manages your estate as your executor, and who takes care of your children under 21 if both parents pass away. Without one, the law makes these choices for you.
It also spares your family stress.Your executor can apply for a Grant of Probate and carry out your wishes, so your family does not have to go through the Letters of Administration process. Read more on the difference between a Grant of Probate and Letters of Administration.
What Happens to Your Estate If You Die Without a Will in Singapore?
If you are not Muslim and leave no will, the Intestate Succession Act 1967 decides who gets what. The table below shows how your estate would be shared in the most common family situations:
|
|
|---|---|
Spouse only (no children or parents) | Spouse receives everything |
Spouse and children | Half goes to your spouse, and your children divide the other half equally |
Children only | Children share everything equally |
Spouse and parents (no children) | 50% to your spouse, 50% split between your parents |
Parents only | Parents share everything equally |
Siblings only | Siblings share everything equally |
None of the above | Grandparents first, followed by uncles and aunts. With no living relatives then the state takes the estate |
Source: MoneySense, Intestacy: What If You Don't Have An Estate Plan?
Some people are left out entirely. If you have a spouse and children, your parents get nothing, even if they rely on you for support. Unmarried partners, stepchildren you never legally adopted, friends and charities also get nothing unless you name them in a will.
Who Can Make a Will in Singapore?
You need to be 21 or older and mentally able to make your own decisions. In practice, that means you understand what you own and who you are leaving it to. If you are a foreigner or a Singaporean living abroad, you can still make a Singapore will for any assets you own here.
Muslims can make a wasiat (Muslim will), but can only give up to one-third of their estate, and only to people who are not already faraid beneficiaries. MUIS has a full guide to writing a wasiat.
What Makes a Will Valid in Singapore? 5 Legal Requirements
Under the Wills Act 1838, a will is only valid if it meets these formalities:
It is in writing. It can be typed or handwritten. As of today, Singapore does not recognise a purely digital or electronically signed will, so print it and sign it in ink.
You sign it at the end. Your signature goes at the foot or end of the will.
Two witnesses are present at the same time. Both must watch you sign, or hear you acknowledge your signature, together.
Both witnesses sign in your presence.
Witnesses are independent. If a witness, or the spouse of a witness, is a beneficiary, the will still stands, but that person loses their gift.
Your will does not need to be drafted by a lawyer, notarised or registered to be valid. Choose witnesses who are 21 or older, of sound mind and who gain nothing from your will, such as colleagues or neighbours. For a closer look at each formality, you can read our in more detailed guide to the requirements of a valid will here.
How to Make a Will in Singapore in 8 Steps
Step 1: List your assets and how each is held
Write down your property, bank accounts, investments, insurance policies, business interests, vehicles, valuables and any assets overseas. Also note whether you own each asset alone or with someone else. Some jointly owned property goes straight to the other owner, whatever your will says.
Keep the detailed list in a separate schedule of assets rather than in the will itself, so you can update account details without re-signing your will. A schedule of assets also helps your executor when applying for probate, and it is one of the key documents in a "When I Die" folder.
Step 2: Decide who benefits and how
You can leave your estate to almost anyone: relatives, close friends or a cause you care about. Think about whether to leave:
Specific gifts, such as a sum of money, jewellery or a property, to named people.
Your residuary estate, which is whatever remains once your debts, expenses and specific gifts have been paid out.
Backup beneficiaries,who inherit if your first choice dies before you do.
A clear residuary clause matters, because anything your will fails to dispose of falls back under intestacy rules. It also helps to talk your plans through with family early. Here are the four conversations to have while you draft your will.
Step 3: Choose your executor
Your executor carries out your will, from applying for the Grant of Probate to distributing your assets. Choose someone you trust who is at least 21, and name a backup in case your first choice cannot act.
Step 4: Appoint a guardian for children under 21
If you have children under 21, name a guardian to care for them if both parents pass away.
Step 5: Consider a testamentary trust
If someone you are leaving money to is still young, vulnerable or not good with money, a testamentary trust lets a trustee you choose look after their inheritance and pay it out the way you want.
Step 6: Draft the will
You can write it yourself, use a template, or engage a Certified Will Writer or lawyer (compared below). Your will should at least include your full name and NRIC or passport number, a clause cancelling any older wills, your executor and guardian, your gifts, and who receives whatever is left over.
Step 7: Sign it with two independent witnesses
Sign and date the will at the end while both witnesses watch, then have them sign in front of you. It is good practice to initial every page too. Once it is signed, do not scribble changes on it. Any changes you write in after signing will not count unless you sign them again in front of two witnesses.
Step 8: Keep the original safe and let your executor know where it is
Your family will usually need the signed original to apply for probate, so keep it somewhere safe and tell your executor where it is. Losing it can cause real problems, as we explain in what happens when the original will is lost. Here is what happens when the original will is lost.
Do You Need to Register Your Will in Singapore?
No. Registration is optional and does not affect validity. However, depositing a record with the SAL Wills Registry for S$50 helps your family confirm a will exists and find the original. SAL also launched a Wills Repository Service in September 2026, which lets participating law firms deposit a digital copy of your will at no charge until 31 March 2027.
If you need a safe place to keep your second original will, Alps Wills provides storage as a goodwill service at no additional fee.
What Your Will Does Not Cover
CPF savings go to your CPF nominees, not through your will. Learn how CPF nominations work.
Property held as joint tenants, such as many HDB flats owned by couples, passes automatically to the surviving owner.
Insurance policies with a nomination pay out directly to your nominees.
Loss of mental capacity is not covered by a will. That is what a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is for.
Read more about assets not included in a will.
How Much Does It Cost to Make a Will in Singapore?
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
DIY (handwritten or template) | Free | Very simple estates |
Online will platform | Low flat fee | Straightforward wishes, no advice needed |
Certified Will Writer | Varies by package | Families who prefer guided help, a home visit and a complete estate plan |
Lawyer | Around S$200 to S$400 for a simple will | Complex assets, disputes or cross-border estates |
Can you make a will in Singapore for free?
Yes. A handwritten will that meets the legal requirements is valid. It suits simple situations, but one drafting or witnessing mistake can cost your family far more later.
Do you need a lawyer to make a will in Singapore?
No. Professional help is still worth it if you have young children, a blended family, a business or assets overseas.
Make Your Will with Alps Wills
Our Certified Will Writers have helped more than 4,000 Singapore families with their wills, and we come to you for the meeting.
Our will writing service starts at S$488 nett, with no GST, for an Individual Will, and includes:
A home visit at your convenience
A Schedule of Assets for probate
A review of your CPF nomination
Free set-up of your Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
A free lawyer-certified true copy (CTC) for probate
Complimentary safekeeping of your second original will
Couples can choose a Pair Will at S$976 to keep their wishes and guardian appointments consistent.
Book a free consultation or WhatsApp us at +65 8869 6485 to start your will today.
