Will Writing Service
It is about preventing confusion, conflict, and pain for the people you love most.
In Singapore, many families discover too late that without a valid will, assets may be frozen, disputes can arise, and loved ones may face months of legal uncertainty.
In Singapore, Dying Without a Will Means the Law Decides — Not You
Singapore's Intestate Succession Act is a fixed legal formula that divides your estate according to a hierarchy of relatives. It does not know whether you are estranged from your parents. It does not know that you want your business partner to handle your company shares. It does not know that your elderly mother has been depending on you financially for years. It does not recognise your partner of 12 years if you were never legally married.
It simply applies the formula.
And for many families, the result is not what anyone wanted — and not what the deceased would have chosen.
The good news: a properly drafted will overrides all of that. It puts you back in control.
The 5 Types of Wills
Benefits of Will Writing
What Happens Without a Will in Singapore — Real Scenarios
Mr. Lim, 53, owns his 5-room HDB flat in his sole name. He dies without a will. Under the Intestate Succession Act, his estate is split between his wife (50%) and his two adult children (25% each). His wife does not automatically receive the flat. All three parties must agree on what to do with the property. If agreement cannot be reached, the flat may have to be sold at auction — and his wife loses the family home.
A will, with the flat specifically directed to his wife, would have prevented this entirely.
Scenario 2: The Young Family
Mdm. Siti, 39, passes away unexpectedly. She has a husband and two children aged 8 and 11. Under the Intestate Succession Act, her husband receives 50% of the estate. The children receive 25% each — but because they are minors, their shares are placed under the Public Trustee's Office until they turn 21. Her husband cannot access this money freely to pay the mortgage or manage household expenses without going through a formal court application process.
A will with a testamentary trust clause would have let her husband manage those funds for the children's benefit directly.
Scenario 3: The Unmarried Partner
Mr. Raj has lived with his long-term partner for 11 years. They share a private apartment on a joint loan. He dies without a will. Under Singapore law, an unmarried partner has zero inheritance rights. His estate passes to his next of kin — his estranged siblings, who inherit everything. His partner has no legal claim.
A will would have protected her completely.
What About CPF?
A complete estate plan addresses both your will and your CPF nomination — and ensures they are aligned.
💡 Muslim Singaporeans: Your estate is governed separately under Faraid (Syariah inheritance law), which has its own rules on distribution. We work with both civil and Syariah frameworks and can advise on the interaction between a Faraid distribution and your specific family structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
You must be at least 21 years old and must have the mental capacity to make the LPA. For the LPA to be valid, it must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). If you die leaving a will, it can save time and expenses for your family and friends in administering your estate, and you can distribute your assets to the beneficiaries in accordance with your wishes. If you leave no will behind, the estate administration process can get complicated for many reasons. One of them is that there will be a need for some persons to step forward to volunteer and act as the administrators. To carry out that role, there is also a need to provide sureties and an administration bond to ensure the proper administration of the estate.
In Singapore, many families delay estate planning because they assume it will be complex and time-consuming. In practice, a straightforward will can be completed in under a week. Here is our process:
Step 1: Initial Consultation (Free — 30 Minutes) We listen. You tell us about your family structure, your assets, and what you want to happen. We ask the right questions so nothing is overlooked. No pressure. No obligation.
Step 2: Personalised Will Drafting Our lawyers prepare your draft will in plain, clear language. We flag any issues — such as HDB ownership structure or missing CPF nomination — that need to be addressed alongside your will.
Step 3: Review Session You review your draft. We explain every clause in plain English (or Mandarin, if preferred). We revise until every word reflects your intentions precisely.
Step 4: Formal Execution You sign your will in the presence of two independent witnesses, in compliance with the Wills Act. We guide the entire process — no errors, no invalid execution.
Step 5: Safe Storage & Future Reviews We offer secure document storage and advise you on when to review your will as circumstances change — marriage, divorce, new children, property transactions.
All fees are discussed and confirmed before any work begins. No hidden charges.
⏱ Typical Timeline: Most standard wills are completed within 3–5 business days of the initial consultation.
The Wills Registry, maintained by the Public Trustee, is a secure and confidential registry where individuals (testators) or their legal representatives can record details about the existence and location of a will.
A will can include various types of gifts, each serving a different purpose in estate planning. The three main types are:
Cash Gift (Pecuniary Legacy): A fixed sum of money left to a beneficiary.
- Specific Gift: A particular item or asset, such as a piece of jewellery, a vehicle, or real estate, designated for a specific person.
- Residuary Gift: The remainder of the estate after all debts, taxes, and other gifts have been distributed. This is often given as a percentage or the whole of what is left.
The probate process can significantly delay asset distribution, creating a financial strain and missed opportunities for your family
2. Loss of Confidentiality
Probate is a public process which could expose details of your estate to the public eye
3. Unnecessary Costs
Legal fees, court costs, and potential estate taxes can erode the value of what’s passed on.
4. Outdated Wills After Major Life Changes
If you've married, divorced, had children, or acquired new assets, your will may no longer reflect your intentions.
A codicil is a legal document used to make amendments or additions to an existing will. It allows the testator (the person who made the will) to update or modify specific provisions without the need to create an entirely new will.
Codicils are commonly used when there are changes in family circumstances such as births, deaths, marriages, or changes in financial status
The key distinction between a will and a living trust lies in their timing and scope:
A will takes effect only upon your death. It outlines how your entire estate should be distributed and allows you to appoint guardians for minor children and name an executor to carry out your wishes.
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A living trust, on the other hand becomes effective during your lifetime. It manages only the specific assets you transfer into the trust and allows for continued management of those assets in the event of incapacity or death.
It is important to store your will in a secure and accessible location. You should also inform your executor of its exact whereabouts, as the original document is required for probate and to carry out the instructions in your will.
Common storage options include a safe deposit box, your attorney's office, asecure location in your home, or with a trusted individual. Whereever you choose to keep it, ensure that your executor will be able to access it promptly when needed.
Yes. A Will is ambulatory, meaning it has no legal effect until the death of the testator (the person who made the will). While the testator is still alive, they retain the full right to amend, update, or revoke the will at any time.
This flexibility allows the testator to reflect changes in personal circumstances, relationships, or wishes regarding the distribution of their estate.
