Estate planning

Will

Says who gets what you own. Without one, the Intestate Succession Act decides, or Faraid for Muslims. Getting married cancels an earlier will, so a new one is written after marriage.

CPF nomination

CPF savings don't follow a will. A nomination says who gets them. Without one, they go to the Public Trustee to share out, which takes longer.

CPF website, with Singpass.

Insurance nomination

Names who gets each policy's payout. A revocable nomination can be changed any time. A trust nomination keeps the payout out of the estate and away from creditors, and changing it needs consent.

Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

Names who decides on your money and your care if you lose mental capacity. Without one, family must apply to court to act for you, which takes months.

Office of the Public Guardian, online with Singpass. Signed in front of a doctor, lawyer or psychiatrist accredited to certify it.

Advance Medical Directive

Says you don't want extraordinary life-sustaining treatment if you are terminally ill and unconscious. Signed with your doctor and a witness, then registered.

Ministry of Health.

Advance Care Plan (ACP)

A talk with a trained facilitator about the care you would want if you can't speak for yourself. It works with your LPA: the person you named knows your wishes.

Ask at a hospital, polyclinic or your family doctor.

Property

How a home is held decides where it goes. In a joint tenancy it passes to the other owner, whatever a will says. In a tenancy in common each share goes by its owner's will.

Business

A business owner's plan says who takes over. A buy-sell agreement lets partners buy a share from the family, often paid for by insurance on each partner. Key person insurance covers the business if someone vital dies.

Insurance to even out an estate

When one big asset can't be split fairly, such as a business or a flat left to one child, an insurance payout gives the others an equal share. It also gives cash for debts and costs while the estate is settled.