How do I know if FreeWills is right for me?

The short answer

FreeWills is a free, self-service way to create a simple New Zealand will online. For many people with straightforward circumstances it is a sensible starting point — but it is not right for everyone. This guide helps you check whether it fits your situation.

What FreeWills is designed for

FreeWills is designed for adults aged 18 or over who want to create their own will in New Zealand, where their circumstances are relatively straightforward. It guides you through a questionnaire, uses your answers to generate a draft will document, and provides general signing and witnessing instructions. You use it for your own will — not to create or change a will for someone else.

You are likely a good fit if

• your family and financial situation is fairly straightforward;
• you are comfortable working through questions yourself and reviewing a document carefully;
• your assets are mainly in New Zealand and owned in straightforward ways;
• you know who you want to benefit and who you want as your executor;
• you are prepared to print, sign and witness the will correctly, following the instructions; and
• you understand the document is general information, not personal legal advice.

FreeWills may not be right for you if

Your circumstances may be too complex for a simple online will if they include:

• significant or complex estates;
• family trusts or trust interests;
• business ownership or substantial business interests;
• overseas property or substantial overseas connections;
• Māori land or succession interests;
• blended or otherwise complex family structures;
• relationship property issues or agreements;
• an intention to exclude a spouse, partner or child who might otherwise have a claim;
• disputes or likely disputes between family members;
• concerns about capacity, pressure or undue influence; or
• significant lifetime promises about inheritance.

In those situations, a simple online will may not be enough — and tailored legal advice is usually worth the cost.

What you will need to bring

Before you start, gather what you need to answer the questions properly:

• your full legal name and details;
• information about your partner, children and other family members;
• an idea of what you own and how it is held — for example property, bank accounts, shares and vehicles;
• the names of the people you want to benefit, including the full legal names of any charities or organisations;
• the name of your chosen executor, plus a backup; and
• your wishes about guardianship and funeral or tangi arrangements, if relevant.

You do not need to have everything memorised — but the more complete your answers, the more useful the draft will be.

What FreeWills will not do

FreeWills is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. It will not:

• tell you what your will should say;
• assess whether you have legal capacity or are acting freely;
• verify your assets, identity or relationships;
• store your signed original will; or
• guarantee that a document is legally valid.

A will is only effective once it is made and signed correctly — and a draft from any tool is only a starting point.

If you are still unsure

• Read the FAQ for answers about signing, witnesses and validity.
• Talk it through with your partner or family — and, importantly, with the person you plan to name as your executor.
• If anything about your situation feels complex, spend the money on a New Zealand wills and estates lawyer. The cost of advice is small compared with the problems an invalid or unsuitable will can create.

The bottom line

If your circumstances are straightforward and you are willing to review carefully and follow the signing steps, FreeWills is designed for you — free, with no hidden fees, and at your own pace. If your life or assets are more complicated, that is not a reason to avoid planning; it is a reason to get the right help.