Will kit
NZ$30 to NZ$100
A kit you complete yourself. No review of your circumstances, and a kit signed or witnessed incorrectly may not meet the Wills Act 2007 formalities.
Source: moneyhub.co.nz (opens in a new tab) · as of 27 Sept 2026
⚠️ 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.
How Much Does a Will Cost in New Zealand?
The cost of a will in New Zealand runs from a small sum for a kit you complete yourself to a couple of thousand dollars for a lawyer handling a complex estate. This guide sets out the typical range for each route and what tends to push the price up.
The short answer
There is no single price. What you pay depends mostly on the route you choose and how involved your estate is. The drafting fee is also only part of the picture: a trustee company named as executor charges again when the estate is administered.
Price does not decide validity. A will is generally valid if it meets the formalities of the Wills Act 2007, whichever route produced it. See do I need a lawyer to write a will for what those formalities involve.
What drives the price
Cost tends to follow complexity and the amount of tailored advice, not the length of the document.
Estate complexity
An estate left to a partner or adult children sits at the lower end; a family trust, a business or property overseas pushes the price up.
Family circumstances
A blended family or a relationship property question usually calls for more careful drafting, which tends to cost more.
Level of advice
A kit is cheapest; a lawyer advising on your own family and property position is where most of the extra cost, and value, lies.
Packages and GST
Many lawyers offer a fixed fee, often discounted alongside enduring powers of attorney, and some published fees are quoted exclusive of GST.
What a will typically costs in New Zealand
The table below sets out typical New Zealand market ranges for each route, what each usually includes and where the figures come from. They are a national overview for information only; always check a provider’s current price before deciding.
Typical New Zealand market ranges for informational purposes only. Some fees are quoted exclusive of GST, and a trustee company named as executor charges separately when the estate is administered. Prices vary by provider and estate complexity, and may change over time. Always check the source and consult a professional before deciding.
Public Trust
NZ$69 to NZ$750
Public Trust prepares a will, from a basic online will to a detailed in-person appointment. Its estate administration fees, if named executor, are charged later.
Source: consumer.org.nz (opens in a new tab) · as of 27 Sept 2026
Lawyer (simple will)
NZ$300 to NZ$600
A lawyer drafts the will and advises on your own situation, commonly for a fixed fee, often discounted when prepared with enduring powers of attorney.
Source: lawyerfinder.co.nz (opens in a new tab) · as of 27 Sept 2026
Lawyer (complex estate)
NZ$800 to NZ$2,000+
Tailored drafting for larger or more involved estates (family trusts, a business, a blended family or property overseas).
Source: lawyerfinder.co.nz (opens in a new tab) · as of 27 Sept 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much does a will cost in New Zealand?
It depends on the route. A will kit costs little, Public Trust charges from a modest fee upwards, and a lawyer typically charges more, rising with the complexity of the estate. The dated ranges and their sources are in the table above; always check a provider’s current price.
Is a cheaper will still legally valid?
Yes, if it meets the formalities of the Wills Act 2007. The trade-off with cheaper routes is usually less guidance, so a mistake that makes a will invalid is easier to miss.
Are there ongoing costs after making a will?
There can be. Some providers charge for updates, and you may pay again to revise a will after a new relationship, a separation, a new child or a change in your assets.
Is a free or low-cost will really cheaper?
Not always. A provider that drafts a will cheaply may expect to be named as executor, and its administration fees are paid from the estate later. Check those terms before you decide.
Related legal guides
Start your will with clear guidance
Whichever route suits you, a valid, up-to-date will is what decides who inherits. Start yours with structured prompts, or find a legal professional for advice on your own position.
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