Using an offline DIY will kit

What a DIY will kit is

An offline DIY will kit is a paper-based template you buy from a stationer or retailer. It provides a ready-made will structure with spaces to fill in — your details, your beneficiaries, your executor, your gifts — together with instructions on how to complete and sign it. It is a cheap way to make a will yourself, without a lawyer or an online service.

Before you start

A few checks before you put pen to paper:

• make sure the kit is for New Zealand — the law differs between countries, and an out-of-date or foreign kit can produce wording that does not work here;
• read the instructions fully before filling anything in;
• check that the kit includes a revocation clause (stating this will revokes earlier wills);
• gather the information you need — beneficiaries’ full names, your executor’s name, and a list of your significant assets; and
• decide whether your circumstances are simple enough for a kit at all.

Filling in the kit

When you complete the form:

• fill in every section — gaps and blanks create uncertainty;
• use full legal names, and the full legal names of any charities or organisations;
• describe specific gifts clearly so there is no doubt what you meant;
• name a backup executor;
• if you have children under 18, include guardianship wishes;
• print or write clearly, and never leave crossed-out or unclear corrections; and
• date the will.

If the kit asks you to copy wording or strike out options, follow its instructions exactly — but remember that an unclear or incomplete document can cause problems later.

The part that matters most: signing

A will kit is only as good as its execution. For the will to be valid under the Wills Act 2007:

• sign the will yourself, by hand;
• have at least two witnesses present together while you sign;
• have each witness sign in your presence; and
• make sure no witness is a beneficiary (or the spouse, partner or civil union partner of a beneficiary), or their gift may be void.

Signing mistakes are the most common reason DIY wills fail — often because one witness signs at a different time, or a beneficiary acts as a witness.

What to watch for

Common problems with DIY kits include:

• generic wording that does not reflect New Zealand law or your situation;
• missing or unclear instructions about witnesses;
• templates that are outdated or not NZ-specific;
• people making handwritten changes after signing, which can invalidate the will;
• no personal advice — the kit cannot tell you about family claims, relationship property or other legal issues; and
• leaving the completed will somewhere no one can find it.

When a kit is fine — and when it is not

A DIY kit can work well for a straightforward will: no trust, no business, no overseas assets, no complicated family arrangements. If your situation involves any of those — or an intention to exclude someone, relationship property issues, or any doubt about capacity or pressure — a lawyer is the safer choice.

The bottom line

An offline DIY will kit is a workable, low-cost option for a simple will — as long as you use an NZ-specific kit, fill it in completely and clearly, and above all sign and witness it correctly. If anything about your situation is complicated, spend the money on advice instead. Our guide on writing your own will, guide on witnesses, and guide on costs cover the surrounding questions.