Straight answers to the questions I hear most often, sourced from official Singapore government guidance. For anything specific to your own situation, these are a starting point — not a substitute for a proper conversation.
Anyone at least 21 years old, of sound mind, may make a Will under the Wills Act 1838. It must be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by two people present at the same time who are not beneficiaries (or married to one).
You're considered to have died "intestate." Your estate is distributed according to a fixed order under the Intestate Succession Act 1967 — broadly spouse and children first, then parents, siblings, grandparents, and finally aunts and uncles. Muslims domiciled in Singapore are instead governed by Muslim inheritance law (Faraid) through the Syariah Court.
Marriage automatically revokes an existing Will, unless the Will states it was made in contemplation of that marriage. Divorce does not revoke a Will — an ex-spouse can remain a named beneficiary indefinitely unless you actively update the document.
It's optional but strongly recommended. The Singapore Academy of Law's Wills Registry keeps a searchable record of where your Will is held (not the Will itself), making it far easier for your family to locate when needed.
No. CPF savings — Ordinary, Special, MediSave and Retirement Account balances — are not part of your estate and fall entirely outside your Will. They pass according to a separate CPF nomination lodged directly with the CPF Board.
Your CPF savings are transferred to the Public Trustee's Office and distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act (or Muslim inheritance law, for Muslims), with an administration fee deducted. This process generally takes longer than a direct nomination payout.
You can nominate online for free via the CPF Board's portal using Singpass, or in person at a CPF service centre. Two witnesses (who aren't your nominees) are required. See the CPF Nomination Scheme page for details.
A legal document letting you appoint one or more trusted people ("donees") to make decisions on your behalf — covering personal welfare, property and financial affairs, or both — if you ever lose mental capacity. It only takes effect after loss of capacity. See the Office of the Public Guardian's guidance.
Your family must apply to the court for Deputyship — a slower, more expensive process than acting under a registered LPA, involving ongoing court supervision and reporting.
The entire process is now digital via OPG Online (OPGO): choose your donee(s), draft the LPA using Singpass login, get it certified by an accredited doctor, lawyer, or psychiatrist, then it's registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.
Trusts are worth considering for blended families, dependants with special needs, or family businesses — situations where you want to control not just who receives an asset, but when and under what conditions. A Will typically transfers ownership outright at a single point; a Trust can spread that transfer over time or attach conditions.
No — most people need both. A Will handles the straightforward parts of an estate; a Trust is typically used for specific assets (like a family business or provisions for a dependant) where timing and control matter more than a single transfer.
A Grant of Probate is issued to the executor named in a valid Will. A Grant of Letters of Administration is issued instead when there's no valid Will, to an eligible next-of-kin under the Intestate Succession Act. Both are issued by the Family Justice Courts.
Not always. Some assets — such as HDB flats held in joint tenancy, CPF monies, certain insurance policies with nominations, and small estates under $50,000 that meet Public Trustee criteria — may not require a court grant. Check with the relevant institution directly.
No. Estate duty was abolished for deaths occurring on or after 15 February 2008. There is currently no inheritance tax or estate tax in Singapore.
While there's no estate duty, other costs can still apply — legal or probate fees, potential stamp duty if an inherited property is sold within certain periods, and administration fees if CPF savings pass without a nomination. These are separate from estate duty and should be planned for.