Can I write my own will?

The short answer

Yes — New Zealand law does not require a will to be written by a lawyer. You can write your own will, use an online service like FreeWills, or use a DIY template. What makes a will valid is not who wrote it, but whether it meets the requirements of the Wills Act 2007 — and whether it genuinely reflects your wishes.

The rules you must get right

For a will you write yourself to be valid, it must:

• be in writing (typed or handwritten);
• be made by you, aged 18 or over, with testamentary capacity;
• be signed by you, or by another person in your presence and by your direction;
• be signed in the presence of at least two witnesses who are present together; and
• be attested and signed by each witness in your presence.

The document also needs to say what should happen to your estate — who receives what, and who your executor is. A will that is vague or incomplete may be valid but difficult to administer, or may not achieve what you intended.

What writing your own will really means

There are a few ways to write your own will:

• an online guided service like FreeWills — free, with the structure built for you;
• a DIY template or kit — cheap, but with no guidance tailored to you; or
• a completely handwritten or typed document — possible, but easiest to get wrong.

Whichever route you take, the legal part happens after the writing: signing and witnessing the document correctly.

The risks of writing your own will

The main risks are:

• signing or witnessing mistakes that make the will invalid;
• wording that is unclear or ambiguous, causing disputes later;
• not realising that your circumstances need something more than a simple will; and
• missing the legal issues a lawyer would spot — such as family claims or relationship property.

When writing your own is fine

A well-made self-written will is a perfectly sensible choice when your circumstances are straightforward: no family trust, no business, no overseas assets, no complicated family arrangements, and nothing that needs explaining to a lawyer.

When to see a lawyer instead

Get professional advice if your situation involves:

• a trust, business or substantial assets;
• overseas property or significant overseas connections;
• Māori land or succession interests;
• a blended family, stepchildren, or an intention to exclude someone;
• relationship property agreements or disputes;
• concerns about capacity or pressure; or
• significant promises made to people for their services.

A practical checklist

If you write your own will:

• answer carefully and review the document before printing;
• make sure it clearly revokes earlier wills and names your beneficiaries and executor;
• sign it by hand and date it;
• have two independent witnesses present together, and have them sign in your presence;
• do not use beneficiaries (or their partners) as witnesses; and
• store the signed original safely and tell your executor where it is.

The bottom line

You can absolutely write your own will — and with a guided free service like FreeWills, doing it properly is straightforward. The key is getting the signing and witnessing right, and knowing when your circumstances are too complex for a do-it-yourself approach. Our guide on online wills, guide on witnesses, and guide on costs cover the details.