Essential Guide to Will Writing in Singapore

Planning for the future is very important, especially when it comes to managing your assets after you have passed away. Writing a valid will in Singapore is necessary because it ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes. If you do not have a valid will, your estate may be handled under the default laws of intestacy, which means your true intentions might not be followed.

What Happens Without a Will in Singapore?

If you die without making a will in Singapore, your estate will be governed by the Intestate Succession Act. This law outlines how your assets will be divided among your relatives. For instance, if you do not have any direct descendants, your estate might be given to distant relatives such as aunts or uncles. If no relatives are found, the government may receive your estate. It is important to note that this law does not apply to Muslims because their estates are managed by Muslim law and handled by the Syariah Court.

Without a valid will, there is a chance that your assets will be allocated in ways that do not match your personal wishes. Therefore, writing in Singapore is very important because it ensures your wishes are respected.

How to Make a Will in Singapore?

There are some legal steps that must be followed to ensure your will is valid:

1. The will must be in writing.

2. The person making the will must be at least 21 years old.

3. The testator must sign the will at the end.

4. There must be at least two independent people who witness the testator signing the will and they must also sign the will in the testator’s presence.

It is very important to follow these steps carefully because if any of them are missed, the will may be considered invalid. Also, electronic wills are not accepted in Singapore as they do not meet the signing and witnessing requirements.

Writing a Comprehensive Will

To avoid confusion, it is essential to be very specific when creating your will. Consider the following:

• List your assets and debts: Make a clear list of everything you own and everything you owe so that it can be properly distributed.

• Choose executors: Pick a responsible person to manage your estate and also name someone else in case the first person cannot do the job.

• Detail your beneficiaries: Write down the full names and addresses of the people you want to leave your assets to and name an alternative beneficiary in case the first one passes away before you.

• Explain how to divide assets: Be clear about how you want to divide your property and money among your beneficiaries.

• Appoint professional help if needed: You can choose a lawyer or a financial expert to help manage your estate if you wish.

• Include a revocation clause: Make sure to include a statement that cancels any previous wills to avoid any confusion.

• Address any remaining assets: Include a plan for how any leftover assets should be handled after all debts and specific gifts have been given.

There is no legal requirement for a lawyer to prepare a will. The person making it may not think it is necessary to get a lawyer involved if the will is simple. You can have peace of mind knowing your wishes will be followed by making sure your will is clear and complete.