New SAL Wills Repository Service: PKWA Law Can Arrange Secure Digital Will Deposits

The Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) has introduced a new Wills Repository Service, providing individuals with an additional way to safeguard access to their Wills as part of their estate planning arrangements.

PKWA Law is a participating law firm in the SAL Wills Repository Service. Clients who engage PKWA Law to prepare their Wills can arrange for the firm to deposit a digital copy of their executed Will securely with SAL.

This can provide an additional point of reference for nominated authorised persons who may need to locate and access a copy of the Will after the testator’s death.

The service does not, however, replace the need to keep the original signed Will safely.

What Is the SAL Wills Repository Service?

SAL launched its Wills Repository Service on 9 September 2026 at TechLaw.Fest.

The service complements the existing SAL Wills Registry, which has been administered by SAL since 2020.

The two services perform different functions.

The Wills Registry records information concerning a Will, such as whether a Will exists, the person or organisation that prepared it and where the original signed Will is kept. It does not hold a copy of the Will itself.

The new Wills Repository Service allows a digital copy of the Will to be securely deposited with SAL through a participating law firm.

The testator can nominate authorised persons who may subsequently access the deposited digital copy after the testator’s death.

Digital copies held by SAL are protected through encryption and access controls. Access is restricted to persons nominated and authorised by the testator.

Why Locating Your Will Matters

Preparing a Will allows you to set out how you would like your estate to be dealt with after your death. However, preparing the document is not the end of the process.

Your family members and the persons responsible for administering your estate must also be able to locate your Will when the time comes.

At the launch of the Wills Repository Service, Justice Aidan Xu explained that the Repository can provide an additional reference point where the original paper Will cannot be located, potentially reducing the uncertainty, time and stress associated with searching for it.

Having a digital copy securely deposited with SAL therefore adds another safeguard to an individual’s estate planning arrangements.

Does the Digital Will Replace the Original Will?

No.

The digital copy held in the SAL Wills Repository does not replace the original signed Will. Nor does depositing a copy with SAL establish that the Will is legally valid.

The original signed Will remains an important legal document and should continue to be stored carefully.

Clients should also consider letting appropriate persons know that a Will has been made and ensuring that information about its location remains current.

How PKWA Law Can Help

PKWA Law is one of the participating law firms through which eligible individuals can use the SAL Wills Repository Service.

For clients whose Wills are prepared by PKWA Law, the firm can assist with:

• Preparing the Will;
• Arranging the nomination of persons authorised to access the deposited digital copy;
• Depositing an executed digital copy of the Will securely with SAL; and
• Advising clients on the safekeeping of their original signed Will and other aspects of their estate planning arrangements.

For someone who already has a Will, changes in family circumstances, assets or personal wishes may also make it appropriate to review the Will before arranging for a digital copy to be deposited.

How Much Does the SAL Wills Repository Service Cost?

SAL is currently offering complimentary deposits until 31 March 2027.

PKWA Law charges a $100 service fee for arranging the digital deposit for clients whose Wills are prepared by the firm.

From 1 April 2027, SAL’s prevailing fee will apply in addition to PKWA Law’s service fee. SAL’s fee is currently stated to be $110 after 31 March 2027.

Accordingly, clients should check the prevailing fees when arranging the service.

Adding Another Layer to Your Estate Planning

A properly prepared Will remains an important part of planning for your family’s future. Equally important is ensuring that the document can be found when it is eventually required.

The SAL Wills Registry provides a record relating to the existence and location of a Will, while the new Wills Repository Service provides the additional option of securely storing a digital copy that nominated authorised persons can access when appropriate.

Neither service removes the need to keep the original signed Will safely, but together they can provide additional safeguards for individuals and their families.

As a participating law firm, PKWA Law can assist clients with preparing their Will and arranging for a digital copy to be securely deposited with SAL.

For more information about preparing a Will or the SAL Wills Repository Service, contact PKWA Law at 6854 5336.