General information only — not legal advice. This guide explains, in general terms, why turning 18 is a sensible time to make a will. A will is personal and should reflect your own circumstances. If you are unsure whether you need one, get advice from a qualified New Zealand lawyer.
Why 18 is the moment
Turning 18 is the age at which you can legally make a will in New Zealand. It is also when you start to own things in your own right — a vehicle, savings, a phone full of photos, accounts and digital belongings. For the first time, the question of who would receive your things if you died is a real legal question, and a will is the answer to it.
“I don’t have anything”
Most 18-year-olds say this — and most actually own more than they think:
- a car, motorbike or other vehicle;
- savings, KiwiSaver or a bank account;
- electronics — a laptop, phone, console or camera;
- possessions with real meaning — instruments, sports gear, jewellery, collections; and
- digital belongings — photos, accounts, content and online profiles that family may want or need access to.
Even if the list is small, the question of who gets what matters — and without a will, the law decides it for you.
What happens without a will
From age 18, the normal intestacy rules apply to you like anyone else. If you die without a will, your estate is distributed in a fixed order — a spouse or partner and children first, then parents and siblings, then wider family. That may or may not match what you would have wanted, and the people you care about can be left with delays and disputes at a terrible time.
Why write one at 18
A will at 18 is worthwhile because:
- it is simple — without a partner, children or a house, a young person’s will is short and straightforward;
- it is free — a simple will costs nothing here, so there is no financial barrier;
- it sets the habit — the hard part of will-making is starting, and doing it young makes updates easy;
- it protects the people you love from guesswork and conflict;
- it lets you choose — a friend, sibling or charity can receive your belongings only if you say so; and
- life is unpredictable — travel, first jobs, relationships and vehicles all add risk, and a will made early is better than one needed in a hurry.
What to include at 18
A simple early will can cover:
- who receives your belongings — and any specific items you care about;
- who you want as executor (often a parent, until your life changes);
- a backup executor;
- your wishes about your funeral or tangi; and
- what should happen to your digital accounts and photos, and who should have access.
You do not need to get everything perfect. A simple will that exists is worth far more than a perfect one that was never made.
When it matters most for young people
A will becomes especially relevant once you:
- buy a vehicle or start earning and saving;
- travel, especially overseas;
- move in with a partner or enter a de facto relationship;
- have children; or
- take on any significant asset or responsibility.
Practical steps
At 18, keep it simple:
- make a basic will that names your beneficiaries and executor;
- sign and witness it correctly;
- tell someone you trust where it is kept;
- review it whenever your life changes — new relationship, new assets, new job; and
- replace it with a fuller will when your circumstances grow.
The bottom line
Turning 18 is the perfect time to write your first will — it is legal, simple, free and rarely needs updating for years. It means the people you love will never have to guess what you wanted, and it starts a habit that will protect you for the rest of your life. Our guide on who should write a will and guide on online wills cover the surrounding basics.