How to Make a Valid Will in Singapore

A will that fails the formalities is not a weak will — it is no will at all. (Getting the basics exactly right.)

A will is the document that directs the assets in your sole name. For it to have legal force in Singapore, the Wills Act requires a handful of formalities, and they are not optional.

You must be at least 21. A will made by someone younger is generally not valid (narrow exceptions aside).

It must be in writing. A spoken wish, however clear, is not a will.

You must sign it, and your signature must be intended to give effect to the whole document.

Two witnesses must be present together when you sign, and each must sign in your presence. This joint presence is where home-made wills most often fail.

One rule deserves special attention: a witness, or the spouse of a witness, must not be a beneficiary. If they are, the gift to them is void — even though the rest of the will may stand. So never ask someone who inherits under the will, or their husband or wife, to witness it.

Beyond the formalities, a clear will names an executor to carry out your wishes, disposes of the whole estate (including a "residue" clause for anything not specifically listed), and is kept somewhere your executor can find it. Singapore also maintains a Wills Registry where the existence and location of a will can be recorded — useful, though it does not store the will itself.

This post explains concepts and is not legal advice; for anything beyond a simple estate, have a qualified professional prepare or review the will.

Illustrative example: the validity checklist

The grid lists the core requirements — minimum age, in writing, signed, two witnesses present together, and witnesses who do not benefit — each with the consequence of getting it wrong. A will is only as strong as the weakest item on this list.