Making a Will in Singapore

You can write your own Will in Singapore and do not have to use a lawyer. You can make a Will if you are at least 21, of sound mind and making the Will voluntarily. However, you must still follow the legal requirements for signing and witnessing your Will.

If you have overseas assets, a business, trusts, a blended family, possible family disputes or other complicated arrangements, consider getting professional advice.

If you are Muslim, you should also read the MUIS guidance on Wasiat, as different estate planning rules may apply.

Do not simply edit or cross out a signed Will. Marriage generally revokes a Will, subject to certain exceptions.

You can also revoke your Will by making a later valid Will or codicil (a formal document changing your Will), a properly signed written declaration, or by intentionally destroying it in certain circumstances.

Sections 13, 15 and 16 of the Wills Act 1838 cover marriage, revocation and changes made after a Will has been signed. Any changes made to your Will after signing must also meet the legal signing and witnessing requirements to be valid.

It is recommended to review your Will regularly, especially after major life changes. For substantial changes, consider making a new Will and getting professional advice on how to deal with your earlier Will.

Getting married generally revokes your existing Singapore Will. Section 13 of the Wills Act 1838 sets out exceptions, including certain Wills made with the marriage in mind.

Separation or divorce does not automatically revoke your Will or necessarily remove a former spouse from every gift or appointment.

It is a good idea to review your Will after major life events, particularly marriage, separation or divorce. If you are unsure how a change affects your wishes, consider getting professional advice before making changes.

There is no fixed legal timeframe for making a Will in Singapore. How long it takes depends on whether you know what you want and have the information you need, as well as how complex your family, assets and overseas connections are.

Preparing the Will is only part of the process. You must also sign it with the required witnesses under section 6 of the Wills Act 1838.

Check the relevant service page for the expected preparation time, and allow extra time if you need professional advice.

You do not have to register your Will in Singapore. The Singapore Academy of Law's Wills Registry records information about your Will and where it is kept, but does not store the Will itself.

Keep the signed original somewhere safe and make sure the right person knows where to find it.

The SAL Wills Repository is a separate service that accepts digital copies through participating law firms and has different access rules. A digital copy does not replace the importance of keeping the signed original safe.

You can consider using the storage service of Will writing service providers, such as NobleWills.

If you die without a valid Will, your estate will generally be divided under Singapore's Intestate Succession Act if you are not Muslim. What happens depends on which relatives survive you and your circumstances.

An eligible person must usually apply for Letters of Administration, which gives them authority to manage and distribute the estate.

Muslim estates follow separate rules. See the MUIS Islamic legacy-planning guidance.

A Will lets you set out how you want your estate to be divided and who you would like to handle it. If you have complex family arrangements or assets in different countries, consider getting professional advice.

Your Singapore Will generally must be in writing and signed at the foot or end. You must sign or acknowledge your signature in the presence of at least two witnesses who are present at the same time. They must then sign the Will in your presence.

Section 6 of the Wills Act 1838 sets out these requirements. You must generally be at least 21, of sound mind and acting voluntarily.

Different rules may apply to Muslim estates.