Revocation of a Will Singapore
How a will can be legally cancelled, overridden, or replaced — and why doing it informally can backfire
Revocation of a will is the legal act of cancelling a previously made will in Singapore, which can happen by making a new will, by a written declaration of intention to revoke, by physically destroying the will with the intention to revoke it, or automatically by operation of law when the will-maker marries after making the will.
Not financial advice. All figures for educational reference only. Data as at October 2026.
- Under the Wills Act, a will can be revoked by a later will, a signed written declaration, deliberate destruction, or automatically upon the testator’s subsequent marriage.
- Simply writing “this will is cancelled” on a copy, or verbally telling family you’ve changed your mind, is not enough to legally revoke a will.
- Marriage automatically revokes an earlier will in Singapore unless that will was specifically made in contemplation of that marriage.
- Divorce does NOT automatically revoke a will in Singapore — a divorced person’s old will naming their ex-spouse can remain valid unless updated.
- Partial revocation is possible: a new will can override only specific clauses of an old one rather than cancelling it entirely, though this increases the risk of conflicting instructions.
Table of Contents
What Is Revocation of a Will?
A will is not permanently fixed the moment it’s signed — Singapore’s Wills Act recognises several legally valid ways to cancel or override it. The most common is simply making a new, properly executed will that includes a clause expressly revoking all previous wills. Other recognised methods include a signed written declaration stating the intention to revoke, and physically destroying the original will (tearing it up, burning it) with clear intent to revoke — not accidentally, and not by someone else without authority.
One method catches many people off guard: under Singapore law, getting married automatically revokes any will made before that marriage, unless the will specifically states it was made in contemplation of that particular marriage. This means someone who wrote a will in their twenties, then married years later without updating it, may unknowingly have no valid will at all — their estate would then be distributed under the Intestate Succession Act as if they’d never made a will.
Just as important is what does not revoke a will: divorce. Unlike some other jurisdictions, Singapore does not automatically revoke an ex-spouse’s entitlement under a will simply because the marriage ended. If a divorced person dies without updating their will, their ex-spouse could still inherit exactly as the old will states — a common and costly oversight for Singapore investors who update their CPF nomination after divorce but forget their will.
How It Works in Singapore
The practical process to revoke a will properly: (1) decide whether you want to replace it entirely (make a new will with an express revocation clause) or revoke it without immediately replacing it (a signed written declaration, witnessed the same way a will is); (2) if destroying the physical document, do so yourself or have someone do it in your presence and at your direction, with clear intent — accidental loss or damage does not count as revocation; (3) if a new will is made, ensure it is properly signed and witnessed by two independent witnesses under the Wills Act, just like the original; (4) inform your appointed executor and update any safe custody arrangements (e.g. with the Insolvency and Public Trustee’s Office Wills Registry) so the correct, current will is the one that surfaces after death.
Worked Example
Mr Koh wrote a will in 2015 leaving his estate to his then-girlfriend. They married in 2018. Because Singapore law automatically revokes a will upon the testator’s subsequent marriage (unless made in contemplation of it), Mr Koh’s 2015 will became void the moment he married — even though he never took any action to cancel it himself. Had he died shortly after the wedding without writing a new will, his estate would have been distributed under the Intestate Succession Act, not according to his old wishes, simply because he never realised marriage had already revoked it.
Worked Example
Advantages
- Gives will-makers clear, legally recognised ways to update their estate plan as life circumstances change.
- The automatic revocation on marriage protects a new spouse from being excluded by a will made before the relationship began.
- A properly drafted new will with an express revocation clause avoids ambiguity about which version is the final, valid one.
- Written declarations of revocation provide a documented paper trail if a will needs to be cancelled without an immediate replacement.
Risks and Limitations
- Divorce does not automatically revoke a will, so an outdated will can unintentionally leave assets to an ex-spouse.
- Informal attempts at revocation — crossing out clauses, verbal statements, destroying a copy instead of the original — are often not legally effective and can trigger disputes.
- Marriage silently revoking an earlier will can leave someone with no valid will at all if they don’t realise and don’t make a new one.
- Multiple wills without clear revocation clauses can create conflicting instructions that courts must untangle, delaying the estate.
- Destroying a will without witnesses present can later be disputed by beneficiaries who claim it wasn’t properly revoked.
Revocation by New Will vs Revocation by Marriage
| Feature | Revocation by New Will | Revocation by Marriage |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger | Will-maker actively drafts and signs a new will | Happens automatically when the testator marries |
| Will-maker’s awareness required | Yes — a deliberate act | No — can happen without the person realising |
| Exception available | N/A — it’s the default revocation method | Will can state it was made ‘in contemplation of marriage’ to avoid revocation |
| Effect on old will | Replaced by the new, express terms | Old will becomes entirely void |
| Risk if overlooked | Low — the act itself is deliberate | High — often discovered only after death |
The Bottom Line
Revoking a will in Singapore requires a clear, legally recognised act — a new will, a written declaration, or deliberate destruction — and it’s worth remembering that marriage automatically cancels an earlier will while divorce does not. Anyone who has married, divorced, or simply had a major life change since their last will was signed should review it, since the law’s default rules may not match their actual intentions.
Related Terms:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does getting married automatically cancel my old will in Singapore?
Yes, unless the will was specifically made in contemplation of that particular marriage, getting married automatically revokes any will made before the wedding under Singapore’s Wills Act.
Does divorce automatically revoke my will in Singapore?
No. Unlike marriage, divorce does not automatically revoke a will in Singapore, so an ex-spouse named as a beneficiary can still legally inherit unless the will is updated.
Can I revoke my will just by telling my family I've changed my mind?
No — a verbal statement is not legally sufficient. Revocation requires a new will, a signed written declaration, or deliberate destruction of the original document.
What happens if I tear up my will by accident?
Accidental destruction without the intention to revoke does not legally cancel the will; courts will generally look at whether there was clear intent behind the act.
Can a new will only partially revoke an older one?
Yes, a new will can be drafted to revoke only specific clauses while leaving others intact, though this increases the risk of ambiguity and is generally less advisable than a full revocation and fresh will.
Disclaimer: This glossary entry is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Data sourced from official regulator and industry websites as at October 2026.