Legal document directing how non-CPF, non-insurance-nominated assets are distributed on death. CPF and nominated insurance pass outside the will.
A will is a legal document specifying how your non-CPF, non-insurance-nominated assets are to be distributed after your death. It also appoints an executor to administer the estate.
Without a will, your estate is distributed according to Singapore's Intestate Succession Act — fixed legal formulas that may not match your wishes, especially in blended families or with unmarried partners.
Covers: cash, investments, property (under your sole name or as tenant-in-common), personal possessions, business interests.
Doesn't cover: CPF balances (use CPF Nomination), nominated insurance proceeds (use beneficiary nomination), property held as joint-tenant (passes automatically to surviving owner), assets in trusts.
These exclusions matter. CPF and insurance bypass the will — even if your will says 'everything to X', the CPF goes to your CPF nominees and insurance goes to its nominated beneficiaries.
Spouse + children: spouse gets 50%, children share remaining 50% equally.
Spouse, no children, surviving parents: spouse gets 50%, parents share remaining 50%.
Spouse only: spouse gets 100%.
Children only (no spouse): children share equally.
Parents only: parents share equally.
No spouse / children / parents: siblings, then grandparents, then uncles / aunts. If no one qualifies: estate goes to the government.
Unmarried partners receive NOTHING under intestacy — a major reason for cohabiting couples to make wills.
DIY: online templates from organisations like the Public Trustee or paid platforms (Rockwills, MyLegacy). S$50 – S$200.
Lawyer-drafted: S$300 – S$1,500+ depending on complexity. Worth it for blended families, business owners, or large estates.
Requirements for validity: in writing, signed by you in the presence of 2 witnesses (who can't be beneficiaries), made when you have testamentary capacity.
Storage: keep the original in a secure location and tell the executor where it is. Singapore has a national Wills Registry where you can register the existence and location (not contents) of your will.
Review every 5 – 10 years and after major life events (marriage, divorce, children, property sale).
A legal document specifying how your non-CPF, non-insurance-nominated assets are distributed after death, and appointing an executor to administer the estate. Without a will, intestacy laws apply — distributing assets per fixed legal formulas that may not match your wishes.
Covers: cash, investments, property (sole or tenant-in-common), personal possessions, business interests. Does NOT cover: CPF balances (use CPF Nomination), nominated insurance proceeds (use beneficiary nomination), joint-tenant property (passes automatically), assets in trusts.
No — Singapore intestacy gives priority to spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts/uncles, in that order. Unmarried partners get nothing. A major reason cohabiting couples should make wills explicitly naming their partners.
DIY templates (S$50 – S$200 via Public Trustee, Rockwills, MyLegacy) for simple estates. Lawyer-drafted (S$300 – S$1,500+) for blended families, business owners, or complex assets. Requirements: written, signed by you with 2 witnesses (not beneficiaries), made when you have testamentary capacity.