Will Planning in Singapore

A will sets out who should receive your property after you pass away. In Singapore, a will generally must be made by a person aged 21 or above, in writing and signed with witnesses. Without a will, non-Muslims are covered by the Intestate Succession Act. This is general information, not legal advice.

Hand signing a document with a pen — Photo: Kindel Media / Pexels

Important: this is not legal advice

The information on this page is general and is not legal advice. Benjamin is not a lawyer. Every family's situation is different, and complex matters, such as business interests, overseas property, blended families or disputes, should be taken to a lawyer.

What is a will, and who can make one?

A will is a written statement of how you want your property to be shared after your death, and who should carry out your wishes. Under the Wills Act 1838 as applied in Singapore, a will made by someone under 21 is generally not valid, with limited exceptions.

How must a will be made?

The Wills Act requires a will to be in writing and signed in the way the Act sets out. In general, this means the will is signed in the presence of two witnesses at the same time. The witnesses should not be people who will receive something under the will, because a gift to a witness or the witness's spouse can be void.

Because small mistakes can cause problems later, many people ask a professional to check their will.

What happens if there is no will?

For non-Muslims, the Intestate Succession Act 1967 sets who receives the estate when there is no valid will. This may not match what you would have wanted.

The Act does not apply to the estate of a Muslim. Muslim estates are generally distributed under Muslim law, and families may need an Inheritance Certificate. Please check the current process with the relevant Singapore authority, for example the Syariah Court or MinLaw.

Is a lasting power of attorney the same as a will?

No. A will takes effect after death. A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is separate, and lets you choose someone to make decisions for you if you lose the ability to decide for yourself. LPAs are handled by the Office of the Public Guardian.

What can Benjamin help with?

Benjamin is a Certified Will Planner with Advance Planners. He can explain the will-planning process in general terms, help you prepare what to think about, and point you to the right next step. He does not give personal legal advice. See also will planning basics in Singapore.

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