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