Last Will and Testament Template (Singapore)
A last will and testament is the most important legal document you will ever make in Singapore. It determines how your estate is distributed, who manages your affairs after death, and who cares for your minor children. Our free Singapore will template is structured in accordance with the Wills Act (Cap. 352) and the Succession Act (Cap. 322A), giving you a professionally formatted, legally compliant foundation for your Singapore estate plan.
| FULL NAME | Tan Ah Kow |
| NRIC / PASSPORT | S6712345B |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 15 July 1967 |
| RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS | 10 Orchard Road, #08-02, Singapore 238841 |
| RELIGION | Buddhist |
| EXECUTOR NAME | Tan Mei Ling |
| NRIC / PASSPORT | S8512678C |
| RELATIONSHIP | Daughter |
| ADDRESS | 25 Toa Payoh Central, #12-05, Singapore 310025 |
| SUBSTITUTE EXECUTOR | Tan Wei Kiat (NRIC: S9012345D) |
I hereby revoke all former Wills, codicils, and testamentary dispositions previously made by me. This Will shall be my sole and final testament.
I appoint Tan Mei Ling (NRIC/Passport: S8512678C), my Daughter, of 25 Toa Payoh Central, #12-05, Singapore 310025, as the Executor and Trustee of this Will ("Executor"). If Tan Mei Ling is unable or unwilling to act, I appoint Tan Wei Kiat (NRIC: S9012345D) as substitute Executor. I direct that no Executor shall be required to provide any security or surety for the performance of their duties.
Subject to the payment of my debts, funeral, and testamentary expenses, I give, bequeath, and devise the following specific gifts:
1. I give my jewellery collection to my daughter Tan Mei Ling (NRIC S8512678C).
2. I give my motor vehicle (Registration No. SBA1234A) to my son Tan Wei Kiat (NRIC S9012345D).
3. I give the sum of SGD 50,000 to my sister Lim Ah Hua (NRIC S7201234E) of 5 Bishan Street 11, Singapore 579805.
I give, bequeath, and devise all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, wherever situated (the "Residuary Estate"), after payment of all my just debts, funeral, and testamentary expenses, to Tan Mei Ling (NRIC/Passport: S8512678C), provided that if the above beneficiary shall predecease me, the Residuary Estate shall pass to: my children in equal shares, or if any child shall have died before me, to such child's children per stirpes.
CPF Monies: I acknowledge that my Central Provident Fund (CPF) monies (Ordinary Account, Special Account, Medisave Account, and Retirement Account) are not distributable under this Will and shall pass according to any CPF nomination I have made with the CPF Board, or to my estate under the Intestate Succession Act (Cap 146) if no nomination has been made.
I express the following wishes regarding my funeral and the disposal of my remains (these wishes are not legally binding but are intended to guide my Executor and family):
I wish to be cremated in accordance with Chinese Buddhist traditions. I request a simple and modest funeral without unnecessary expense. My ashes should be interred at Mandai Columbarium, Singapore.
I, Tan Ah Kow, declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, consisting of this and the preceding pages. I have signed this Will at Singapore on 25 April 2026 in the presence of both witnesses simultaneously present.
The above-named Testator signed this Will in our presence, and we thereafter subscribed our names as witnesses in the Testator's presence. We declare that at the time of execution the Testator appeared to be of sound mind. Neither of us is a beneficiary under this Will, nor are we the spouse of any beneficiary.
Note: Witnesses must be at least 21 years of age. A beneficiary (or their spouse) who serves as a witness shall forfeit their gift under s 9 of the Wills Act (Cap 352), though the Will itself remains valid.
1. This Will is governed by the Succession Act (Cap 322) of Singapore.
2. Muslim testators domiciled in Singapore: Islamic Faraid inheritance law applies. A Will may only distribute up to one-third of the estate to non-heirs. Consult a qualified Syariah lawyer or the Syariah Court of Singapore for advice.
3. CPF monies are not distributed under this Will. Make a separate CPF nomination with the CPF Board.
4. To obtain a Grant of Probate, your Executor must apply to the Singapore High Court (Family Division) after your death. Consider engaging a Singapore-qualified solicitor to administer the estate.
What Is a Last Will and Testament?
A last will and testament is a legal document by which a person (the testator) sets out their wishes for the distribution of their estate — property, money, and other assets — after their death. A will also appoints an executor (the person responsible for administering the estate), makes provision for the guardianship of minor children, and may include specific legacies (gifts of particular items to named individuals), residuary bequests (gifts of what remains after debts and specific legacies), and charitable gifts. Without a valid will, a Singapore estate is distributed according to the intestacy rules in the Succession Act (Cap. 322A) — which may not reflect the deceased's wishes and can cause significant delay and expense for the family.
In Singapore, the formal requirements for a valid will are prescribed by the Wills Act (Cap. 352). Under section 6, a Singapore will must be in writing, signed by the testator (or by another person in the testator's presence and at their direction), and the signature must be made or acknowledged in the presence of two or more witnesses who are both present at the same time. Each witness must then sign the will in the testator's presence. A beneficiary — or the spouse of a beneficiary — who witnesses a Singapore will loses the gift under the will; this is a critical rule that must be observed when choosing witnesses. The testator must be at least 21 years old (unless a member of the Singapore Armed Forces on active service or a mariner at sea) and must have testamentary capacity at the time of execution.
Singapore residents should be aware of a critically important estate planning distinction: CPF savings — the balances held in a Singapore citizen's or permanent resident's Central Provident Fund accounts — are not covered by the will and do not form part of the probate estate. CPF monies are distributed separately according to a CPF nomination made directly with the CPF Board during the member's lifetime. If no CPF nomination is made, the CPF Board distributes the monies to the Public Trustee for distribution under the Intestate Succession Act. Similarly, Singapore Muslim estates are governed by the Administration of Muslim Law Act (Cap. 3) and the Muslim inheritance law (faraid), not by the Succession Act — Muslim testators wishing to make a Singapore will should seek specialised legal advice, as their testamentary freedom is limited by faraid rules. For Singapore citizens and permanent residents who are not Muslim, the Succession Act (Cap. 322A) sets out the intestacy distribution rules that apply if a person dies without a valid will, and grants certain rights to spouses, children, and other dependants.
What This Template Covers
Our Singapore will template includes all legally required elements under the Wills Act (Cap. 352) and key estate planning provisions.
Testator's Particulars
Full legal name, NRIC number, address, and a revocation of all previous wills — a mandatory recital to prevent conflicts with earlier documents.
Executor Appointment
Appointment of one or more executors to administer the Singapore estate, with an alternate executor in case the primary executor cannot or will not act.
Funeral and Burial Wishes
Optional section for expressing preferences about funeral arrangements, burial or cremation, and organ donation in Singapore.
Specific Legacies
Gifts of particular items — jewellery, property, or named sums of money in Singapore dollars — to named beneficiaries.
Residuary Estate
Disposition of what remains after debts, funeral expenses, taxes, and specific legacies have been paid — the most important clause in most Singapore wills.
Substitutional Gifts
Provision for what happens if a beneficiary predeceases the testator — whether the gift lapses or passes to the beneficiary's children.
Trusts for Minor Children
Trust provisions for beneficiaries who are under 21 (Singapore's age of majority) at the time of the testator's death, appointing trustees to manage the inheritance.
Guardianship of Minor Children
Appointment of a guardian for the testator's minor children under the Guardianship of Infants Act (Cap. 122) — a provision only the will can properly make.
Executor's Powers
Broad administrative powers granted to the executor — selling assets, investing, managing property, and applying for Singapore probate in the Family Justice Courts.
Attestation Clause
Formal two-witness attestation clause as required by the Wills Act (Cap. 352), section 6 — with signature blocks for the testator and two independent witnesses.
CPF and Insurance Reminder
Reminder note that Singapore CPF balances and insurance policies with named beneficiaries are distributed outside the will and require separate nominations.
How to Create a Singapore Will
Follow these steps to produce a valid, Wills Act-compliant last will and testament in Singapore.
- 1
Take Stock of Your Estate
List your Singapore assets: property (HDB flat, private property registered with the SLA), bank accounts, investments, insurance policies, and personal property. Identify what is covered by the will (estate assets), what is covered by CPF nomination (CPF balances), and what passes by survivorship (jointly held property).
- 2
Decide on Beneficiaries and Distribution
Decide who should receive your estate — your spouse, children, relatives, or charities. Consider what happens if a beneficiary predeceases you (substitutional gifts). If you have young children, include trust provisions and a trustee appointment.
- 3
Appoint Your Executor and, if Applicable, Guardian
Choose an executor who is willing and able to apply for Singapore probate in the Family Justice Courts and administer your estate. If you have minor children, appoint a guardian. Speak to your chosen executor and guardian before naming them — they must consent.
- 4
Sign Before Two Independent Witnesses
Sign the will in the presence of two witnesses who are both present at the same time. Neither witness should be a beneficiary under the will or the spouse of a beneficiary — or the gift to that beneficiary is void under the Wills Act (Cap. 352). Each witness must then sign in your presence. Electronic execution is not valid for Singapore wills.
- 5
Store Safely and Update Regularly
Store the signed original will securely — with your Singapore solicitor, at home in a fireproof safe, or lodged with the Singapore Wills Registry (maintained by the Singapore Academy of Law, which records the existence and location of wills). Update your will when your circumstances change: marriage, divorce, the birth of children, or the acquisition of significant Singapore assets.
Legal Considerations
Singapore will law has strict formal requirements and important interactions with CPF law, Muslim inheritance law, and intestacy rules. Understanding these protects your estate planning.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice tailored to your situation, consult a Singapore-qualified lawyer or visit the Law Society of Singapore.
Reviewed for Singapore Law
Wills Act (Cap. 352) — Execution Requirements
The Singapore Wills Act (Cap. 352) prescribes strict formalities for a valid will. The will must be: in writing; signed by the testator (or by another at the testator's direction and in their presence); and the signature must be made or acknowledged in the presence of two or more witnesses present at the same time, each of whom must sign the will in the testator's presence. Failure to comply with any of these requirements renders the will invalid in Singapore. A beneficiary or a beneficiary's spouse who witnesses the will loses their gift under section 9 of the Wills Act — they are a "disqualified witness". In Singapore, wills are routinely prepared and reviewed by a Singapore solicitor to ensure compliance, particularly for estates of significant value.
Succession Act (Cap. 322A) and Intestacy — Why Every Singapore Resident Needs a Will
If a Singapore resident (who is not Muslim) dies without a valid will, their estate is distributed under the Singapore Succession Act (Cap. 322A) intestacy rules. The rules distribute the estate among spouse, children, parents, and other relatives in fixed statutory proportions — which may not reflect the deceased's wishes and can create practical difficulties, particularly for unmarried partners (who receive nothing under Singapore intestacy law), for blended families, and for estates that include HDB property. The intestacy process in Singapore also requires a Letter of Administration rather than a Grant of Probate, which is typically more complex and expensive.
CPF Nomination and Life Insurance — Assets Outside the Will
Singapore CPF savings — Ordinary Account, Special Account, Medisave Account, and Retirement Account balances — are NOT covered by the will and do not form part of the probate estate. They are distributed by the CPF Board according to a CPF nomination form completed during the member's lifetime. Similarly, life insurance policies with a named nominee are paid directly to that nominee and do not pass through the will. Singapore residents should ensure their CPF nominations and insurance beneficiary designations are current and consistent with their overall estate plan. Failing to make a CPF nomination means CPF savings are distributed by the Public Trustee under the Intestate Succession Act — a process that takes considerably longer.
Muslim Estates and Administration of Muslim Law Act (Cap. 3)
Singapore Muslim estates are governed by a separate legal framework. A Singapore Muslim's estate is subject to the faraid (Muslim law of inheritance) provisions of the Administration of Muslim Law Act (Cap. 3) and is administered through the Syariah Court. A Muslim testator in Singapore has limited testamentary freedom — they may only bequeath up to one-third of their estate by will to non-faraid beneficiaries. The remaining estate must be distributed according to faraid rules. This template is designed for non-Muslim Singapore residents; Muslim residents in Singapore should consult a Singapore lawyer specialising in Muslim estate law and the Syariah Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
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