Will Lawyers in Singapore

A Will is valid under the Wills Act if it is:

•  In writing, signed at the end by a testator aged 21 or older, and executed in the presence of two witnesses, who themselves sign in the testator’s presence;
• The witnesses must be independent - not beneficiaries or spouses of beneficiaries.

This formal structure is critical to ensure the Will’s legal standing.

No. Only properly executed Wills (see above) are legally upheld. Handwritten or oral wishes are not enforceable and risk resulting in intestacy - where the Intestate Succession Act determines distribution in ways you may not have intended. 

No. CPF savings do not form part of your estate and cannot be governed by a Will. To distribute CPF savings according to your wishes, you must make a valid CPF nomination. Otherwise, un-nominated CPF monies go to the Public Trustee’s Office for distribution via intestacy laws.

If there is no Will, your estate will be distributed by the court under the Intestate Succession Act (for non-Muslims). The rules follow a strict hierarchy: spouse, children, parents, siblings, then more distant relatives, down to uncles/aunts. If no heirs can be found, the estate goes to the government.

Yes. A CPF nomination ensures your CPF savings go directly to your chosen beneficiaries.  If there is a valid nomination, CPF Board will pay directly to the nominees.

If there’s no CPF nomination, the CPF Board transfers the savings to the Public Trustee’s Office (PTO). The PTO distributes the monies in line with the Intestate Succession Act or Muslim inheritance laws. Processing typically takes a few weeks, and administrative fees may apply.

Yes. Making one Will per jurisdiction is advisable. This helps avoid conflicts and ensures local Probate laws apply cleanly. Each Will should only cover assets in that specific country, avoiding unintended invalidation of other Wills.

Absolutely. Your Will offers the opportunity to nominate a testamentary guardian for children under 21. This is crucial to ensure someone you trust is legally appointed to care for them in the event of your passing.

Yes - your Will remains valid unless revoked. If your ex-spouse is named as a beneficiary or executor, they may still receive benefits unless you specifically update your Will. Always review your Will after significant life events (like divorce or marriage).

Yes. If there are doubts about your capacity or concerns of undue influence, beneficiaries may challenge the Will in court. Proper drafting, clarity, and independent execution greatly reduce the risk of disputes. Executors should keep evidence of your intentions and deliberation process.

CPF for Property (HDB Flats & Private Homes)

When CPF funds are used to pay for a property, the amount and its accrued interest do not need to be returned to the deceased's CPF account. This is a crucial point that helps protect surviving family members.

• The ownership of the property is determined by the title deed.
• If the property was held in joint tenancy, the surviving co-owner(s) automatically inherit the deceased's share, and no CPF refund is required.
• If the property was solely owned or is a tenancy-in-common, the deceased's share forms part of their legal estate and is distributed according to their will or the Intestate Succession Act.

Summary:  On death, if CPF money was used for property purchase, there is no refund back to CPF. Instead, the property (or its sale proceeds) is distributed under the will (if there is one) or the intestacy rules, and you will require to obtain a Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration.

Other important points:

• CPFIS investments (unit trusts, shares bought with CPF) are not covered by CPF nomination. They belong to the estate and require probate/LOA.
• CPF LIFE bequests and unused annuity premiums are paid out via CPF nomination, not probate.
• DPS insurance payouts follow the insurer’s nomination rules. If no nomination was made, the payout falls into the estate.