Table of Contents
When preparing a will in Singapore, you may see unfamiliar terms. This glossary explains Singapore wills legal terms in simple English, Chinese, and Pinyin.
Singapore Wills Legal Terms Glossary #
| English Term | Chinese | Pinyin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will | 遗嘱 | yí zhǔ | Legal document distributing estate |
| Testator | 立遗嘱人 | lì yí zhǔ rén | Person making the will |
| Executor | 执行人 | zhí xíng rén | Person carrying out the will |
| Beneficiary | 受益人 | shòu yì rén | Person entitled to benefit |
| Bequest | 遗赠 | yí zèng | Gift under a will |
| Legacy | 遗产赠与 | yí chǎn zèng yǔ | Gift of money |
| Devise | 遗赠不动产 | yí zèng bù dòng chǎn | Gift of property |
| Residuary Estate | 遗产余留 | yí chǎn yú liú | Remainder after gifts |
| Revocation | 撤销遗嘱 | chè xiāo yí zhǔ | Cancelling an earlier will |
| Codicil | 遗嘱附录 | yí zhǔ fù lù | Supplement to a will |
| Guardian | 监护人 | jiān hù rén | For minors |
| Witness | 见证人 | jiàn zhèng rén | Attests to signing |
| Intestate | 无遗嘱 | wú yí zhǔ | No will |
Why It Matters #
Understanding these words avoids confusion for families when drafting or contesting wills.
