Knowing how to write a will in Malaysia is one of those adulting tasks everyone agrees is important and nobody books a Saturday for. The good news: the process is mostly one form, one fee and one signing.
A will (wasiat) is a legal document that says who gets your assets, who carries out your wishes (the executor), and who looks after any minor children. Without one, the choices about your estate are not yours to make.
This guide covers who can make a will, what the main providers charge, the steps, and the part most people miss: what a will does not override.
Who can write a will in Malaysia?
Short answer: any adult of sound mind who is acting freely.
AmanahRaya (the government-linked trustee company, ARB) says anyone above 18 and of sound mind can make a will, and that it serves both Muslims and non-Muslims. Bank Islam's product disclosure sheet for the ARB basic will adds a wrinkle: the age is 18 in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, but 21 in Sabah.
You also should not be barred from managing your own property.
What does a will cost in 2026?
It depends on where you sign up. These are the figures the providers themselves publish.
| Provider | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AmanahRaya (listed on MyGovernment) | RM500 to RM1,200 | Paid in cash at the counter |
| AmanahRaya basic will via Bank Islam | RM500 cash, RM300 Bank Islam credit card, RM500 other credit card, RM350 via financing | Excludes estate administration fees |
| BSN | RM540 including 8% SST | Same fee for Muslim and non-Muslim customers; subject to promotions |
| MAIS (Selangor Muslims) | RM300 for drafting and storage, RM50 per amendment | Execution fee is extra |
Two things to read carefully. First, the writing fee is not the whole bill: when the executor later administers your estate, a separate administration fee applies, and Bank Islam's sheet says ARB will notify you and your beneficiaries of it.
Second, MAIS charges its execution fee on a sliding scale of the estate value: 2% on the first RM25,000, 1.5% on the next RM50,000, 1% on the next RM75,000, 0.5% on the next RM100,000 and 0.25% above RM250,000.
Fees change, so confirm with the provider before you pay.
How to write a will with AmanahRaya, step by step
The MyGovernment portal lists AmanahRaya's will writing as a hybrid service (online and in person) with a processing time of 14 working days. Its page was last updated on 21/10/2026.
- List what you own. Property, accounts, vehicles and anything else you want to name. The service covers listing assets, naming beneficiaries and executors, and adding specific instructions.
- Decide your people. Beneficiaries, an executor, and a guardian if you have children under 18.
- Gather documents. MyGovernment lists a copy of your identity card and your property documents.
- Start the application. Use AmanahRaya's Apply Now page, visit a branch via the branch locator, or call the Careline at 03-8600 9850. The company advertises a free consultation.
- Pay the fee. MyGovernment says cash at the counter. Bank Islam's sheet notes you cannot cancel after payment and refunds are not given.
- Keep the will safe. AmanahRaya offers lifetime custody, and existing clients can retrieve it for review.
Prefer your bank? BSN takes applications through an online form or at a branch, and its contact centre is 03-2613 1900.
Writing a Muslim will: the one-third rule
For Muslims, a will works alongside faraid (Islamic inheritance shares), not instead of it.
Per the Bank Islam sheet, only up to one-third of your estate, after debts, can go to people who are not faraid heirs. Going beyond that needs the consent of all faraid heirs; without it, distribution follows faraid.
MAIS says the same one-third cap applies, and that a will in favour of an heir takes effect only if the other heirs agree after the death. If you are in Selangor, MAIS takes applications through its Siswa MAIS portal and can act as the executor.
This is not religious advice. For rulings on your own situation, ask your state religious authority.
What a will cannot override
This is the gap in most "how to write a will" posts, and it is the part that causes family drama.
Per Bank Islam's sheet, a will does not override earlier nominations such as those made on insurance or EPF. Those are separate instructions with their own rules, and the nominee on record is who the institution deals with.
So if your KWSP nomination is years old, the will will not fix it. Check it first with our guide to updating your KWSP nominee online.
A will can also be cancelled without you meaning to:
- A later will revokes an earlier one.
- Marriage or remarriage revokes a will, unless it was made expecting that marriage. Divorce does not.
- Deliberately destroying the will revokes it, but accidental destruction or destruction by someone else does not.
- Converting to Islam revokes a non-Muslim will.
If a beneficiary is under 18, the share is held in trust by an appointed guardian until they turn 18.
After you sign: what happens next
When the will takes effect, AmanahRaya says it administers the estate, applies for a Letter of Administration or Grant of Probate, then distributes the estate as the will states.
Your family will still need a death certificate to start; see our guide on registering a death in Malaysia.
If your situation is messy, say a business, property in several names or family disputes, a lawyer may suit you better. Our guide to free or low-cost legal aid is a starting point.
FAQ
How much does it cost to write a will in Malaysia?
MyGovernment lists AmanahRaya at RM500 to RM1,200, while BSN charges RM540 including SST and MAIS charges RM300 for Selangor Muslims. Estate administration fees are separate.
Does a will override my KWSP nominee?
No. Bank Islam's sheet states a will does not override earlier nominations such as insurance or EPF, so update those separately.
How long does it take?
MyGovernment lists a processing time of 14 working days for AmanahRaya's service.
Can I change my will later?
Yes. A later will revokes an earlier one, and providers handle amendments: MAIS charges RM50 per amendment, and ARB handles changes to a comprehensive will directly.
