General information only — not legal advice. This guide explains the legal requirements for wills in New Zealand in general terms. Whether a particular online will is valid depends on the document and how it is executed. If you are unsure, get advice from a qualified New Zealand lawyer.
The short answer
Yes — an online will can be legal in New Zealand. The law does not require a will to be prepared by a lawyer. What matters is the document itself and, above all, how it is signed and witnessed. An online tool can produce a perfectly valid will — provided the finished document meets the requirements of the Wills Act 2007.
What the law actually requires
For a will to be valid in New Zealand, it must:
- be made by someone aged 18 or over (with limited exceptions);
- be made by someone with testamentary capacity, freely and voluntarily;
- be in writing;
- be signed by the will-maker (or by another person in their presence and by their direction);
- be signed in the presence of at least two witnesses who are present together at the same time; and
- have each witness sign in the will-maker’s presence.
There is no requirement that the document be drafted by a lawyer, typed on paper, or signed in any particular colour of ink. The legal test is the document and the way it is executed.
What “online” really means
An online will service creates the document for you — the questionnaire, the drafting and the layout happen online. But the legal execution still happens offline, in the real world. In practice, that means printing the will, signing it by hand, and having two witnesses sign it in your presence, together.
Do not assume that an electronic signature or a document left only on a device counts as a valid will. In New Zealand, the safest and most reliable approach is a printed document signed by hand and witnessed correctly.
Generating a document is not the same as making a will
The moment an online tool produces a document, you do not yet have a valid will. You have a draft. The will becomes valid only when it is signed and witnessed in accordance with the law. This is the step people most often get wrong — and an unsigned or unwitnessed document is no will at all.
The advantages of an online will
- cost — a simple will can be created for free or at low cost;
- convenience — you can work through it at your own pace;
- a clear starting point — a guided process helps you think through the decisions; and
- privacy — you can prepare it without discussing your affairs with anyone.
The risks and limits
Online wills also have limits worth understanding:
- no legal advice — a tool cannot tell you what your will should say or spot issues in your circumstances;
- self-execution — if you sign or witness it incorrectly, it may be invalid;
- complexity — online templates suit straightforward estates, not complex ones;
- challenge risk — a will made without advice can be more vulnerable to family claims or validity disputes; and
- storage — you must keep the signed original somewhere safe and tell your executor where it is.
Making an online will valid in New Zealand
Follow this checklist carefully:
- answer the questions honestly and completely;
- review the finished document carefully before printing;
- print the will — do not rely on an electronic copy;
- sign it by hand, and date it;
- have at least two witnesses present together while you sign;
- have each witness sign in your presence, and make sure witnesses are not beneficiaries (a gift to a witness may be affected);
- keep the signed original safe, and tell your executor where it is.
When not to rely on an online will
An online will is not a good fit when your circumstances are complex. Get professional advice instead if your situation involves:
- a family trust, business or substantial assets;
- overseas property or overseas connections;
- Māori land or succession interests;
- blended families or stepchildren;
- an intention to exclude a spouse, partner or child;
- relationship property agreements or disputes;
- concerns about capacity or pressure; or
- significant promises made to people for their services.
The bottom line
An online will is legal in New Zealand if it meets the same requirements as any other will — writing, signature, and two witnesses present together. The online part only creates the document; the legal part happens when you sign and witness it correctly. For straightforward situations, that is entirely achievable. Our guide on what a will is and guide on challenges cover the surrounding rules.