Will Writing Lawyers in Singapore
A clear, properly drafted will is the simplest way to decide who inherits your estate and who looks after dependants. We prepare wills for individuals, couples, and families in Singapore.
A will is a legal document that sets out how your assets are to be distributed after your death and who will be responsible for administering your estate. Without a valid will, your assets are distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act (or, for Muslims, in line with Faraid principles applied by the Syariah Court), which may not reflect what you actually want.
Why a professionally drafted will matters
Online templates and DIY kits can technically produce a valid will, but small drafting errors often create much larger problems later. Ambiguous wording, missing attestation, conflicts with joint-tenancy property, CPF nominations, or foreign assets are common issues that only surface during probate, by which time they are expensive to unwind.
Working with a lawyer gives you:
- A will that meets the formal requirements of Singapore’s Wills Act (testator aged 21 or above, in writing, signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses who sign in the testator’s presence)
- Clear appointment of executors and, where relevant, guardians for minor children
- Properly drafted residuary clauses so nothing is missed
- Co-ordination with your CPF nominations, insurance nominations, and any trusts or corporate holdings
- Storage and advice on how to update the will after major life events
What we prepare
- Simple wills for individuals with straightforward estates
- Mirror wills for married couples leaving their estates to each other and then to children
- Complex wills involving family businesses, overseas assets, testamentary trusts, or blended families
- Updates and codicils after marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or significant changes in assets
If you have assets or beneficiaries outside Singapore, we can flag cross-border issues and co-ordinate with overseas counsel so the will works in every jurisdiction it needs to.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I die without a will?
Your estate is distributed under the Intestate Succession Act. This is a fixed statutory formula that may split your assets between your spouse, children, parents, and siblings in ways you might not intend. A will gives you control over who inherits what.
Does a Singapore will cover my overseas assets?
Sometimes. Property in another country may be governed by that country’s succession laws, and in some jurisdictions a separate local will is advisable. We can review your asset list and advise on whether one will is sufficient or whether you need a second will for specific jurisdictions.
Are CPF and insurance nominations covered by a will?
Generally no. CPF monies and nominated insurance policies pass directly to the nominated beneficiaries, outside the will. We always review nominations alongside the will so the two documents work together rather than against each other.
How often should I update my will?
We recommend reviewing your will every few years and after major life events, including marriage (which typically revokes an existing will), divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a named executor or beneficiary, or a significant change in your assets.
Where is the will stored after signing?
You can keep the original yourself, store it with us, or lodge details of its location with the Wills Registry maintained by the Singapore Academy of Law. We advise most clients to lodge with the Wills Registry so the will can be located quickly when needed.
What clients say.
Highly Recommend! Professional and reliable~ JCP Law was incredibly professional and handled my complex "proxy collection" for me perfectly. Special thanks to Ms. Diana Seow for personally going to the university to collect my documents.
Extremely impressed with JCP Law's team, especially Ms. Kaeley. They completed a notarised deed poll with apostille and mailed it to me overseas, all in under a week. Exceptionally fast and efficient.
They accomodated all of my requests regarding my documents to be certified as true copy. The staff are very helpful and friendly, they even offered to send me the scanned copies of my documents with free of charge which made it more easier for me to submit my…
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