Where and How to Store Your Will in Singapore (2025)

Storing your will in Singapore entails keeping it safe, secure, and easily accessible to your executor and loved ones when needed.

Why Proper Will Storage is Essential

Keeping your will in a safe place is essential because it ensures that your final wishes are honored, legally recognized, and carried out efficiently. In Singapore, where probate laws require specific conditions to be met, the way a will is stored can significantly impact its validity. Here is why it matters:

1. Preserves the Original Document 

• Why It Matters: In Singapore, the Probate and Administration Act requires the original will to be submitted in court to obtain a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. Copies are generally not accepted unless exceptional circumstances (e.g., proof of loss) are proven, which can complicate and delay proceedings.
• Risk of Poor Storage: If the original will is lost, damaged (e.g., by fire, water, or pests), or destroyed, your estate might be treated as intestate (without a will), leading to distribution under the Intestate Succession Act rather than your intended wishes.

2. Ensures Accessibility for Your Executor

• Why It Matters: Your executor needs timely access to the will to begin the probate process, pay debts, and distribute assets. If the will is stored in an obscure or overly restrictive location (eg, a bank safe deposit box sealed upon death), it can delay administration or require costly legal intervention.
• Risk of Poor Storage: If no one knows where the will is or how to retrieve it, your estate may face prolonged disputes or mismanagement, burdening your loved ones.

3. Prevents Tampering or Unauthorized Access

• Why It Matters: A will is a sensitive legal document that dictates your legacy. Improper storage (e.g., leaving it in an unsecured drawer) risks tampering, alteration, or destruction by disgruntled parties who might disagree with its contents.
• Risk of Poor Storage: If the will is altered or destroyed, it can lead to legal challenges or the invalidation of your wishes, especially if authenticity is questioned in court.

4. Avoids Accidental Loss or Destruction

• Why It Matters: Wills which are stored casually (e.g., mixed with everyday papers) might be accidentally thrown out when family members clear out your personal belongings.
• Risk of Poor Storage: Without a secure and accessible location, your carefully drafted will may be lost forever, negating your planning efforts.

5. Supports Legal Validity

• Why It Matters: According to the Wills Act, a will must be in writing, signed by the testator (you), and witnessed by two non-beneficiaries. Damage to key sections (e.g., signatures) due to poor storage may render it legally questionable, leading to disputes or rejection by the court.
• Risk of Poor Storage: Physical degradation (e.g., faded ink, torn pages) might raise doubts about its integrity, prompting costly legal battles.

6. Reduces Family Conflict

• Why It Matters: A missing, inaccessible, or damaged will can create confusion among heirs, potentially sparking disputes over asset distribution. Proper storage, coupled with clear instructions (e.g., via the Wills Registry in Singapore), ensures transparency and minimizes conflict.
• Risk of Poor Storage: Uncertainty about the will’s location or condition may lead to accusations of foul play or competing claims, fracturing family relationships.

7. Real-World Implications in Singapore

• Probate Delays: If the original will can’t be found or accessed, the probate process stalls, leaving assets frozen and dependents without support.
• Intestate Succession: Without a valid, retrievable will, your estate follows Singapore’s intestacy laws (e.g., spouse and children split assets in fixed proportions), which may not align with your preferences—especially critical for blended families, single individuals, or those with specific requests.
• Costly Legal Challenges: Lost or contested wills often require affidavits, court hearings, or searches, increasing legal fees and stress for your loved ones.

Proper will storage is a safeguard for your legacy. By keeping it safe, you ensure that your intentions are respected, your executor can act swiftly, and your family avoids unnecessary hardship. It’s the final step in estate planning, bridging the gap between your wishes and their execution.

Here’s a guide on where and how to store your will effectively in Singapore:

Where to Store Your Will

1. At Home

Storing your will at home can be convenient. Keep it in a secure, fireproof, and waterproof safe or a lockbox. However, it is important to take extra precautionary measures and inform your executor of its precise location to avoid it being overlooked.

2. With a Lawyer / Will-Writing Service

Many law firms or professional will-writing companies in Singapore offer will storage services, such as The Legacy Protector. However, it is important to confirm retrieval procedures and any associated costs upfront before using their services.

3. Safe Deposit Box at a Bank (DBS, OCBC, etc.)

Most banks also offer safe deposit boxes where you can store your will (DBS, OCBC, etc). Banks have high levels of security, however, retrieval procedures may be complicated. Consider co-registering for the box with your executor or a trusted person to simplify access protocols, but be mindful of privacy.

4. Private Manually-Operated Safe Deposit Facilities (Cisco, SECOM, etc.)

Independent companies like CISCO and Secom offer manually-operated safe deposit boxes as an alternative to banks.

5. Private Automated Safe Deposit Facilities (STARVAULT, Vault@268, etc.)

Companies like STARVAULT provide automated safe deposit boxes as an alternative to banks. Before using their services, it is likewise vital to assess their reputation and access protocols.

6. With a Trusted Friend or Family Member

Delegating the original copy to someone you trust is one of the simplest ways to store your will. However, there are many risks associated with this method. Choosing someone dependable and informing your executor of their identity is vital.

How to Store Your Will

• Keep the Original Safe: Singapore's probate laws require the original will, hence, you should prioritize its physical safety.  Avoid storing it in a way that risks damage (e.g., in damp areas) or tampering.
• Make Copies: While copies aren’t legally binding, keeping a few for your record or to share with your executor is a good idea. Mark them clearly as “COPY” to avoid confusion.
• Inform Key People: Tell your executor and possibly a close family member where the original is stored and how to access it. You don’t need to reveal the contents, just the location.
• Register with the Wills Registry: Maintained by the Singapore Academy of Law, this confidential registry allows you to deposit information about your will (e.g., where it’s stored) for a one-time fee of $50. It does not store the physical will but helps loved ones locate it after your passing (search fee: $10). Information is kept until your 120th birthday. To register, submit details online via the Wills Registry portal through your lawyer.
• Review Storage Periodically: Ensure your chosen method remains viable (e.g., the law firm is still in business, the safe deposit box is accessible, etc.) and update your executor if the location changes.

Practical Tips

• Balance Security and Accessibility: The will should be protected but not so inaccessible that your executor faces delays or legal hurdles.
• Avoid Digital-Only Storage: Courts require the original signed document, so a digital copy alone isn’t sufficient.
• Update After Life Events: If you move, change executors, or switch storage locations, update the Wills Registry and inform relevant parties.

By choosing a secure location and ensuring your executor knows how to retrieve your will, you ensure your wishes are carried out smoothly in Singapore.

Secure Your Will at STARVAULT

STARVAULT offers a comprehensive will custodian service. Here is how it works:

Step 1: Secure Storage:

• Your will is stored in a state-of-the-art STARVAULT Safe Deposit Box.
• Our safe deposit boxes ensure protection against physical damage, loss, and unauthorized access.

Step 2: Executor Access with "Form W":

• Complete Form W to designate your executor(s).
• This critical document establishes precise terms and conditions for will retrieval.

Step 3: Efficient Retrieval Process:

• Designated executor(s) will be able to retrieve your will upon presenting the required documents.
• The streamlined process facilitates a seamless execution of your final wishes.

This simple approach ensures your will remains secure during your lifetime and readily accessible to the right people when needed.

STARVAULT: Secure Storage for Your Will

At STARVAULT, we redefine secure storage with cutting-edge technology and rigorous safety protocols. Here’s why we’re the ideal choice for storing your will in Singapore:

Custom-Built High-Security Vault:

Your will is housed in a steel-plate-reinforced concrete vault, off-limits to staff and other customers. This manless vault ensures no human interference, with access granted only through an automated robotic system.

Multi-Layered Access Control:

Retrieving your will requires a five-step authentication process—facial recognition, card access, fingerprint verification, PIN code, and a unique physical key. This guarantees that only you, or your authorized executor, can access it.

24/7 Surveillance & On-Site Security:

Our facility is monitored round-the-clock by CCTV cameras at every corner of the vault, backed by an on-site security guard and an advanced alarm system for immediate response to intrusions.

Disaster Protection:

Unlike home storage, STARVAULT’s vault is equipped with a professional gas suppression fire protection system, safeguarding your will from fire without the risk of water damage from sprinklers. Located 29 meters above water level, our facility also minimizes flood risks.

Convenience Without Compromise:

Gain access to your will anytime with our 24/7 availability—even on public holidays. Flexible storage plans start at just one month, catering to both short and long-term needs.

Beyond Home Storage: A Smarter Choice

Keeping your will at home may seem convenient, but it’s a gamble. Residential safes lack professional fire suppression, and a house fire or burglary can destroy your will in an instant. Even a bank safe deposit box, while secure, restricts access to banking hours and may require a court order post-death, delaying probate. STARVAULT bridges this gap, offering superior security and flexibility in a private, automated vault. Plus, with our One-Time Password (OTP) verification for any account changes, you retain full control over who can access your will—no surprises, no risks.

Protect your legacy with STARVAULT today. Book a tour of our facilities, get a personalized quote, or reach out to our team for enquiries. Let us help you safeguard what matters most.