Legacy Planning: Why a Will is Essential for Your Family’s Future
Secure Your Loved Ones’ Future — Start With a Clear Plan
A proper Will ensures your wishes are honored, your loved ones are protected, and your assets are smoothly distributed. Without one, your family may face legal complications and disputes. At Property Wealth Planner, we believe true wealth includes securing your legacy for future generations.
Wills in Singapore: What You Should Know
A legal plan helps protect your family by ensuring that your wishes are carried out the way you intended.
It’s a small step today for peace of mind tomorrow.
✅ Key Requirements for a Valid Will in Singapore:
❓ Is Probate Needed?
Yes. Even with a Will, the executor must apply for a Grant of Probate in court to legally manage and distribute the estate.
Without a Will, the process (Grant of Letters of Administration) takes longer and is more complicated.
❓ Should You Update Your Will?
❓ What Happens If You Don't Have a Will?
If you pass away without a Will, your estate will be distributed according to Singapore’s Intestate Succession Act. This may not reflect your personal wishes and can cause delays, higher legal costs, and even family disputes.
Why Having a Will is Important ?
Distribute your assets according to your wishes
Appoint guardians for your young children
Intestacy Laws
Preserve your legacy
for future generations
Ensure business interests
are passed on smoothly
Common Misconceptions About Wills
❌ "I don’t need a Will because I don’t have much to leave behind."
Even if you don’t consider yourself wealthy, a legally binding plan ensures that your assets, no matter how small, are passed on according to your wishes.
❌ "My spouse or family will automatically get everything when I pass."
While this might be true in some cases, having a Will ensures that your family isn’t left to navigate legal complexities, and everything goes as planned.
❌ "I can write my own Will and not seek professional help."
While it’s possible to write your own , doing so without professional advice can lead to mistakes or ambiguities that could invalidate your plan or lead to disputes.
Our Will Planning Services
We collaborate with trusted experts to help you create a comprehensive estate plan that ensures your wishes are honored.
Legally valid and
enforceable
Tailored to your personal
needs and goals
Structured to protect
your beneficiaries
How Trusts Can Protect and Manage Your Assets
Real-Life Example 1: Court Dismisses Challenge to Widow's Will by Two Children
A wealthy widow’s two children challenged the Will after their mother passed away, arguing that the inheritance distribution was unfair, as they received smaller shares compared to their siblings.
Outcome:
The High Court upheld the validity of the widow’s Will, dismissing the children’s claims. The court emphasized the importance of respecting the testator’s intentions, illustrating the role of a legally sound Will in preventing disputes among family members.
Key Takeaway:
A properly executed Will ensures your wishes are followed, minimizing the risk of family conflicts and ensuring fair distribution of assets.
Real-Life Example 2: Man Left $8M House to Charity, Not Relatives
A man bequeathed his $8 million house to the National University Hospital, leaving his relatives out of the Will entirely.
Outcome:
The Will was honored, and the property was transferred to the charity as per the man’s wishes. The relatives had no legal claim to the house, as the Will clearly outlined the donor’s intentions.
Key Takeaway:
A clear and legally valid Will can ensure that your assets are directed exactly as you intend, even if it means bypassing family members in favor of charitable organizations.
Real-Life Example 3: Five Brothers in Court Over Family Business Shares
A dispute arose when one brother allegedly transferred family business shares back to himself, claiming that his siblings were ungrateful.
Outcome:
The High Court ruled in favor of the other brothers, ordering the shares to be returned. The case highlighted the lack of clear documentation regarding ownership and intentions.
Key Takeaway:
Documenting ownership and intentions clearly in a Will or trust is crucial, especially for family businesses, to prevent misunderstandings and legal battles over assets.
Trusts vs Wills: What’s the Difference?
Many clients use both a Will and a Trust for a complete legacy plan.
Assets distributed after probate
Public once probate is granted
Only addresses asset distribution after death
Effective during your lifetime or upon trigger events
Assets are transferred to trustees immediately
Private and confidential
Provides for mental incapacity
Secure Storage and Official Registration of Your Will
Ensure your Will is safely stored with professional custody services. The Singapore Government provides secure options to store important documents, such as your Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and Will, giving you peace of mind.
Features:
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Store documents such as your LPA, CPF nomination, Will, and Advance Care Plan.
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Share access with trusted individuals when needed.
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Access your documents anytime, anywhere.
Features:
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Apply for, manage, and check the status of your LPA.
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Accept Donee appointments and submit Deputy reports.
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Access and share your LPA securely with trusted individuals.
Prevent unnecessary stress and delays by ensuring your Will is always accessible when needed
and integrity of your Will with trusted, secure storage
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What happens if I pass away without a Will
Without a legally binding plan, your assets will be distributed according to Singapore’s Intestate Succession Act. This could lead to delays, unintended distribution of your assets, and potential family conflicts.
❓ At what age should I create a Will?
As soon as you own significant assets or have dependents, it’s wise to create a proper plan. Many people start once they purchase a property, marry, or have children.
❓ Can I write my own Will?
While it’s legally possible, self-written plan often contain errors that can cause disputes or be invalidated. We recommend engaging a professional to ensure your Will is properly drafted and witnessed.
❓ How long does it take to create a Will?
With professional guidance, creating a legally binding plan can usually be completed within a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the complexity of your estate.
❓ Is a Will expensive to make?
Making a legally binding plan is very affordable compared to the potential legal costs and emotional burden on your family if you pass away without one. Think of it as a small investment for long-term peace of mind.
❓ Who Should Have a Will?
Anyone who has assets, dependents, or specific wishes about how their estate should be handled should have a legally binding plan. This includes:
Testimonials
“As a business owner, I knew I needed a solid plan for the future, but I didn’t know where to start. Property Wealth Planner helped me understand the importance of legacy planning and guided me through creating a clear, legal will. Now, I can focus on growing my business without worrying about what might happen in the future.”
“I had been putting off creating my will for years, thinking it wasn’t necessary yet. But after speaking with Property Wealth Planner, I realized how important it is to protect my family’s future. The team made the process so simple, and I feel so much more at ease knowing my wishes will be carried out as I intended.”
Take the first step towards
safeguarding your family’s future.
Contact us to learn more about legacy protection and securing your future.
Ready to Protect Your Legacy?
Latest News & Articles on Wills
Stay informed with recent developments and expert opinions on will-related matters in Singapore:
Keep wills secret?
It can cause ‘drama’ in the family
When a son fought his elderly mother’s move to split family assets
tedious instructions
in wills