⚠️ This guide was researched and updated in May 2026. Laws and regulations change frequently. For specific legal advice regarding your jurisdiction, please consult with local legal counsel.
Choosing a Will Service in New Zealand
In New Zealand you can make a will with a lawyer, Public Trust or a trustee company, an online will service or a will kit. This guide compares the routes and the questions worth asking before you choose one.
Four routes to writing your will
A New Zealand will must meet the signing and witnessing rules of the Wills Act 2007, whichever route you choose. The routes differ mainly in cost and the advice included.
A lawyer
A lawyer can draft a tailored will and advise on relationship property, family trusts and complex family or business situations. This route suits larger or complicated estates and usually costs the most.
Highest cost · Tailored legal advice
Public Trust or a trustee company
Public Trust and private trustee companies prepare wills, sometimes at a reduced fee if they are appointed as executor. Check the fees and executor terms carefully before deciding.
Varies · Often linked to executor role
An online will service
An online will service asks structured questions and produces a will you print, sign and have witnessed. It can suit straightforward estates and typically costs less than a lawyer.
Lower cost · Structured, self-guided
A will kit
A will kit from a stationer is the cheapest route but offers no prompts or checks. Errors in wording or witnessing can leave a New Zealand will open to challenge, so this route carries the highest risk of errors.
Lowest cost · Highest risk of errors
How to choose the right route for you
There is no single “best” way to write a will. The right route depends on your circumstances. A few questions can help you weigh the options. If your situation is at all complex, it may be worth consulting a qualified professional before you decide.
- How straightforward your estate is. A modest estate with clear wishes needs less than one with business interests, trusts or assets in more than one country.
- Whether you need advice as well as a document. Some routes produce a will only, while others include professional guidance on tax and structure.
- The provider’s credentials: qualifications, regulation, professional-body membership and how complaints are handled.
- Total cost and what it covers. A low headline price may exclude storage, future updates or advice you later need.
- How the will is signed and witnessed. Every route still requires the formal signing and witnessing rules to be followed for the will to be valid.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer to make a will in New Zealand?
No. A New Zealand will is valid whichever route you use, provided it is in writing, signed and witnessed as the Wills Act 2007 requires. A lawyer may be worth the extra cost for family trusts, business interests or blended families. If in doubt, consider speaking to a qualified professional.
Does Public Trust charge to write a will?
Public Trust and trustee companies set their own fees, which may be reduced where they are appointed as executor, and executor fees can apply later when the estate is administered. Check the fee schedule and executor terms carefully before deciding.
Is an online will valid in New Zealand?
A will made with an online will service can be just as valid as one drafted by a lawyer, provided it is printed, signed and witnessed correctly. The difference lies in the level of tailored advice, not the validity of the document.
How much does a will cost in New Zealand?
Costs vary by route: will kits are cheapest, online will services sit in the middle, and lawyer-drafted wills tend to cost the most. Compare what each price includes, such as storage, updates or advice, before you decide.
Ready to make a start?
Whichever route you choose, the important thing is to have a valid, up-to-date will in place. You can begin online with structured prompts, or find a professional for advice on your own situation.
Discuss This in the Community
Have questions about this topic? Join the discussion in our community forum. Get answers from verified professionals and other members.