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Estate & Inheritance

Singapore Wills, Probate & Intestate Succession Guide 2026

Complete guide to Singapore estate planning under the Intestate Succession Act and Wills Act. Explains intestate distribution, probate, CPF nominations, and LPA.

Overview & Statutory Background

Estate planning in Singapore is governed by the Wills Act (Cap. 352), the Intestate Succession Act (Cap. 146), and the Probate and Administration Act (Cap. 251). Writing a valid Will ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes upon death. A valid Will requires a written document signed by the testator in the presence of at least 2 witnesses. Will details can be registered with the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) Wills Registry. CPF savings do not form part of a deceased person's estate and cannot be distributed via a Will; CPF funds are distributed via a separate CPF Nomination or under Intestate Succession rules. Use this guide to manage Singapore estate planning.

Key Pass Highlights & Statutory Criteria

Intestacy Statute

Intestate Succession Act

Verified

Intestacy Formula

Depends on Surviving Relatives

Verified

Court Order

Grant of Probate / Letters of Admin

Verified

Incapacity Tool

Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

Verified

Evaluation Criteria & Points Breakdown

Section 7 Intestate Succession Act Statutory Formula

Intestacy Schedule

Sets statutory distribution rules based on the surviving relatives and the applicable statutory intestacy schedule under the Intestate Succession Act.

Grant of Probate vs Letters of Administration

Court Grants

Grant of Probate is issued by the court when there is a valid Will; Letters of Administration are issued when a person dies intestate without a Will.

Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) Wills Registry

SAL Wills Registry

Testators can deposit details of where their Will is kept with the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) Wills Registry for easy retrieval by family.

Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) Form 1 & 2

LPA Protection

Legal document registered with OPG allowing donees to make decisions upon mental incapacity.

Mandatory Eligibility Requirements

Applies to all property, bank accounts, stocks, and real estate owned in Singapore.

Intestate Succession Act applies to non-Muslims; Muslim estates are governed by the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA Syariah law).

Wills must be signed in the presence of 2 adult witnesses (if a beneficiary or spouse witnesses, the Will remains valid but the gift to them becomes void under the Wills Act).

CPF nominations must be registered directly with the Central Provident Fund Board.

Step-by-Step Application & Issuance Process

Will Execution & Deposition in Wills Registry

Draft a written Will and deposit its custody details with the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) Wills Registry.

CPF Nomination Registration with CPF Board

Member files CPF Nomination online via Singpass to designate CPF account beneficiaries.

Application for Grant of Probate at Family Justice Courts

Upon death, Executor files court application for Grant of Probate via eLitigation portal.

Asset Extraction & Debt Settlement

Executor presents Grant of Probate to banks, LTA, and SLA to unfreeze accounts and settle debts.

Final Estate Asset Distribution to Beneficiaries

Net estate assets are transferred to beneficiaries according to terms of the Will or Intestacy Act.

Required Document Checklist

•Wills Act (Cap. 352) & Intestate Succession Act (Cap. 146)

•Original Will & Codicil (duly executed with 2 witnesses)

•Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) Registered LPA Certificate

•Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) Wills Registry Registration Record

•CPF Board Official Nomination Form Record

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Under the Wills Act, a Will must be in writing, signed by the testator (aged 21+), and witnessed by at least 2 witnesses who are present at the same time.

The SAL Wills Registry is a confidential registry maintained by the Singapore Academy of Law where testators can register details of where their Will is stored.

Yes, a beneficiary can act as a witness, but under the Wills Act, doing so makes any gift or bequest to that witness (or their spouse) completely void, while the rest of the Will remains valid.

No. CPF savings do not form part of your estate and cannot be distributed via a Will. CPF funds are distributed according to your CPF Nomination or under Intestate Succession rules.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document enabling a person (Donor) to appoint one or more Donees to make decisions regarding personal welfare and/or property & affairs if the Donor loses mental capacity.

No. Estate distribution for deceased Muslim Singaporeans is governed by Islamic inheritance law (Faraid) under the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA).