Hi friends,
Recently, my wife’s grandfather passed away.
And something she said caught my attention.
She told me she was grateful that he didn’t leave behind an inheritance.
Not because the family didn’t love him.
But because she has seen what inheritance can sometimes do to families.
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A friend once shared a story with us.
Her father passed away and left behind a property and some savings.
Nothing unusual.
But he didn’t leave clear instructions.
So the children had to decide together what to do.
One sibling wanted to sell the house immediately.
Another wanted to keep it because of sentimental value.
The third felt she deserved more because she had spent years caring for their father.
What started as a simple discussion slowly turned into arguments.
Lawyers got involved.
And eventually, the siblings stopped talking.
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Most parents never expect this to happen.
They assume their children will “work it out”.
But when grief, emotions, and money mix together…
things can become complicated very quickly.
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💡 One thing I’ve learned from helping families
Estate planning isn’t really about money.
It’s about protecting relationships.
When things are clearly planned:
• Your family doesn’t have to guess your intentions
• Your children don’t argue about what is “fair”
• Difficult moments become a little easier to navigate
Clarity prevents conflict.
—
Many people think estate planning is something to think about “later”.
But if you already have assets, property, CPF, insurance, or children…
you already have an estate.
And the best time to plan is before your family ever needs to deal with it.
—
If you’d like to understand how Wills, CPF nominations, and legacy planning work in Singapore, feel free to reach out.
Just press send and say hello.
Happy to share what most families in Singapore are doing to put their plans in place.
To a strong and lasting legacy,
Edward Shee (施文山)
CFP, MDRT 2023/2025, IBFA, AEPP
Associate Director, Financial Advisory
RNF No: SBS200040073
Synergy Financial Advisers Ltd
M +65 9048 2463 | W [email protected]
A 51 Bras Basah Rd, #07-03, Lazada One, Singapore 189554
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Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Synergy Financial Advisers Pte Ltd.
Financial planning decisions should always be made based on your individual circumstances. You are encouraged to seek personalised advice from a qualified financial adviser before making any financial or estate planning decisions.
Edward Shee Boon Sun is a licensed representative of Synergy Financial Advisers Pte Ltd.