Making a Will in Singapore

You can write your own Will in Singapore; using a lawyer is not compulsory. Singapore's MyLegacy guidance says a person aged 21 or older can make a Will if they are of sound mind and acting voluntarily. The document must still meet the legal signing and witnessing requirements. Professional advice is sensible where there are overseas assets, businesses, trusts, blended-family arrangements, possible disputes or other complexity. Muslims should also refer to MUIS guidance on Wasiat because separate Muslim estate rules may apply.

Do not simply edit or cross out a signed Will. Under sections 15 and 16 of the Wills Act 1838, revocation generally requires marriage, a later valid Will or codicil, a properly executed written declaration, or intentional destruction in the prescribed circumstances. An alteration made after execution must meet the statutory signing and witnessing requirements to take effect. Singapore's MyLegacy update guidance recommends reviewing a Will periodically and after major life changes. For substantial changes, obtain advice on making a replacement Will and safely dealing with earlier originals.

Marriage generally revokes an existing Singapore Will, subject to exceptions in section 13 of the Wills Act 1838, including certain Wills expressed to be made in contemplation of that marriage. Separation or divorce, however, does not automatically revoke a Will. Singapore's MyLegacy guidance recommends reviewing and updating it after major life events. This distinction matters: do not assume that divorce removes a former spouse from every gift or appointment. Review the document promptly and obtain advice on the intended outcome for your circumstances.

There is no single legal timeframe for making a Will in Singapore. How long drafting takes depends on whether you have identified your wishes and gathered the necessary information, as well as the complexity of your family, assets and any overseas connections. The Will does not become properly executed merely because the draft is complete: it must also be signed and witnessed in accordance with section 6 of the Wills Act 1838. Check the relevant service page for a verified product turnaround, and allow more time for professional advice where the arrangements are complex.

Registering a Will is voluntary in Singapore. The Singapore Academy of Law's Wills Registry records that a Will exists and where it is kept, but it does not store the Will itself. Keep the signed original secure and ensure the appropriate person can locate it. Do not confuse the Registry with SAL's newer Wills Repository, which accepts digital copies through participating law firms and has separate access arrangements. A digital copy does not remove the need to understand how the original will be used. Verify the current service terms and obtain advice if an original is lost or damaged.

For a non-Muslim estate, dying without a valid Will generally means the estate is distributed under the Intestate Succession Act rather than personal instructions. Singapore's MyLegacy guidance explains that an eligible person must apply for Letters of Administration before administering the estate. The outcome depends on which relatives survive and other circumstances. Muslim estates are subject to separate rules, so refer to MUIS Islamic legacy-planning guidance. A Will can record intended distribution and appointments, but cross-border or complex circumstances may require professional advice.

A Singapore Will ordinarily must be in writing and signed at the foot or end by the person making it, or by another person in their presence and at their direction. The signature must be made or acknowledged in front of at least two witnesses present at the same time, and the witnesses must sign in the testator's presence. These formalities are set out in section 6 of the Wills Act 1838. The person making the Will must generally be at least 21, of sound mind and acting voluntarily. Different rules may apply to Muslim estates.