SINGAPORE: The number of Singaporeans registering
their wills with the Wills Registry is up some 25 per cent from
almost 7,500 in 2007 to about 9,400 last year.
At least 6,000 have already registered their wills
this year, according to the Public Trustee.
When 46-year-old Colin Choo decided to get
professional help to draft a will five years ago, his friends and
family were surprised and laughed at him because they felt he did
not have much to leave behind.
But lawyers Channel NewsAsia spoke to said there are more people
like Mr Choo, as drafting wills is no longer something that only
the old or rich do.
Many younger Singaporeans are increasingly showing an interest in
wills.
Lawyers said the proportion of Singaporeans who've indicated they
want to donate part of their estate to charity has also increased
by some 30 to 40 per cent over the last five years.
Mr Steven Lam, JTJB partner said: "The charities are getting very
visible in their outreach programmes.
"And I think Singaporeans are quite selfless and we are quite
willing to give a part of our estate to the charity so that the
community at large can benefit from it."
- CNA/cc