Frequently asked questions
Wills
What is a Will?
A Will is a legal document that sets out your wishes after your death. It outlines how you want your property, possessions, and any dependents or pets to be cared for. It can also include instructions for your funeral and other personal requests.
Why is it important to have a Will?
Without a Will, decisions about your estate are left to the courts. This often results in delays, legal fees, and conflict among family members. A Will gives clarity and ensures your wishes are known and respected.
What can be done to reduce family conflict after I die?
Create a clear, fair Will and update it regularly. Willzee also helps by notifying your beneficiaries and recording mutual acknowledgment to reduce misunderstandings.
What happens if I die without making a Will?
If you die without a Will (known as dying intestate), the law decides who inherits your estate. This may not align with your wishes and can cause unnecessary stress for loved ones.
What is a Living Will?
A Living Will is also known as an Advance Care Directive. It outlines your medical and end-of-life preferences if you're ever unable to communicate them. It may include who you authorise to make decisions, whether you want to donate your organs, and whether you wish to receive life-prolonging treatment.
How much does it cost to write a Will?
Traditional Wills can cost from $50 for a DIY kit to over $2,000 with a lawyer. Willzee lets you create and update your Will for free, only charging a one-time fee when your estate is administered.
How often should I change my Will?
You should update your Will after major life changes (like marriage, divorce, or having children) or if your financial situation changes. Willzee allows unlimited updates so your Will is always current.
Can my Will be contested?
Any Will can be challenged, but Willzee reduces this risk by collecting digital signatures and mutual confirmations. To further reduce disputes, make fair provision for close family and communicate your wishes.
Why doesn’t Willzee offer joint Wills?
Because joint Wills often cause disputes and legal problems when one partner passes away. Instead, Willzee makes it easy for each person to create their own Will — simple, flexible, and safe for your family’s future.
Is debt transferable through my Will?
No. Your debts are paid from your estate before anything is given to your beneficiaries. Beneficiaries are not personally responsible for your debts.
What happens if I owe more than I own when I die?
If your estate can’t cover your debts, your assets may be sold. If the debt still isn’t covered, the estate may be declared insolvent and unpaid debt written off. No one else is liable.
How old do I need to be to write a Will?
You must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind to make a valid Will.
Who should I choose as an Executor?
Willzee encourages you to appoint a trusted family member or friend as your sole Executor. After you pass, Willzee will act as an administration partner, working under the instruction of your nominated person to ensure your wishes are carried out correctly and efficiently. This reduces the burden on loved ones who may not have legal or financial experience, while still allowing them to stay involved.
Can I change my beneficiaries or executor later?
Yes. You can log in anytime and update your beneficiary, executor or any other details.
What if I move to another country?
Your Will may still be valid, but laws vary by country. We recommend reviewing your Will with legal advice in your new location.
How does Willzee know when I've died?
Willzee is notified by your loved ones, your executor, or anyone searching for your Will, and we can also check official death records. Once notified and verified, we begin the estate process as instructed in your Will.
Why would a lawyer include my joint account in probate?
In some cases, lawyers include joint accounts in the estate if ownership is unclear or if they believe it was intended to be shared among other beneficiaries. This can add cost and delay. Willzee helps clarify your intention for joint assets in advance, reducing the risk of confusion or unnecessary legal fees.
How do I arrange a gift or bequest to a chosen charity?
There are two ways of arranging a gift to charity. If you wish to give a set amount to a charity, this is done through the Assets and Gifts schedule. Simply nominate the desired amount as a specific gift and nominate that charity. Alternatively, you can nominate a charity as a beneficiary in your Foundation Will.
Is my Willzee Will legally valid in New Zealand?
Yes. Every Willzee Will is drafted in accordance with New Zealand law (Wills Act 2007) and reviewed by accredited estate lawyers. Once signed and witnessed correctly, it becomes a legally valid document.
Can I still print and sign my Will?
Absolutely, and we recommend it. At any time after your Foundation Will is signed, you can request your compiled Will & Wishes package: your Foundation Will, completed Schedules and Verification of Wishes assembled into one printable document. Sign it in the presence of two independent adult witnesses for full Section 11 compliance, then confirm the signing and storage location in Willzee so your executor knows where to find it.
What happens to my digital Will if Willzee ever shuts down?
Your Will is securely backed up and can be transferred to any registered estate partner or lawyer, at your request, or by your executor. You’ll always retain ownership and access to your data.
Legal terms
What is an Executor and how is this different from an Administrator?
Your Will names an Executor to carry out your wishes and manage your estate. If you don’t name anyone, or there is no valid Will, the court appoints an Administrator instead.
What is an Administrator and how is this different from an Executor?
An Administrator is appointed by the Court when no valid Executor is named or available. They have similar responsibilities but are chosen by the court, not by you.
Who is a Testator?
A Testator is the person who creates the Will.
What does Intestate mean?
Intestate means dying without a valid Will. Your estate will then be distributed based on legal rules rather than your personal wishes.
What is a Living Will?
A Living Will (Advance Care Instructions) outline what medical treatment you do or do not want if you're unable to speak for yourself.
What is a Grant of Probate?
A Grant of Probate is a legal document from the court confirming your Will is valid and giving the Executor permission to manage and distribute the estate.
What is section 14 of the Wills Act?
Section 14 allows the High Court to declare a document valid as a Will even though it was not signed and witnessed in the usual way, provided the Court is satisfied it expresses the deceased person's testamentary intentions. NZ courts have validated typed documents, emails and even text messages under this section. It is a safety net, not a substitute for signing, which is why Willzee recommends completing the full signing process.
What makes a Will legally binding?
A Will becomes legally valid when it clearly sets out your intentions, is made by someone of sound mind, and is signed in front of two witnesses as the Wills Act 2007 requires. Willzee captures your wishes in a clear, structured format from the moment you start, giving you a strong record of testamentary intent even before formal signing. We recommend completing the physical signing step for the strongest legal standing.
What happens if my executor can’t act or passes away?
You can name a backup executor at any time in Willzee. If both are unavailable, the Court will appoint an administrator to ensure your estate is still managed according to your Will.
Are all Assets subject to Probate?
Not all assets are subject to probate. Assets like joint accounts, KiwiSaver funds, and life insurance with named beneficiaries typically pass directly to the surviving person or nominee and don’t form part of the estate for probate purposes. However, the person making the Will (the testator) may be able choose to include their share of a joint account or the proceeds of a KiwiSaver fund in their estate by stating this in their Will. In doing so, these assets become part of the probate process and are managed by the executor. It's worth noting that even when assets fall outside of probate by default, institutions like banks or fund managers often require a grant of probate before releasing funds.
What is an Estate Account?
An estate account is a temporary bank account set up after someone dies. It holds estate funds, pays off debts, and distributes money to beneficiaries.
Completing your Will
What happens after I finish my Foundation Will?
After completing your Foundation Will, you’ll receive an email with secure links to draft your optional Schedules. These Schedules help you record extra details such as assets, care preferences and digital accounts. You can complete them anytime — now, or later when you’re ready.
What happens if I die before signing my Will?
Your Foundation Will still matters. From the moment it is created, it records your testamentary intentions with timestamps and version control. If you die before signing, the High Court can declare the document valid under section 14 of the Wills Act 2007 where it is satisfied it expresses your intentions, and Willzee supports your executor through that process. Validation is at the Court's discretion and involves additional legal work, so we strongly recommend completing the signing steps. It only takes a few minutes and gives your family certainty.
Do I have to complete the Schedules straight away?
No. Your Foundation Will covers the basics. The Schedules are optional additions, designed to give extra clarity and in doing so, reduce future confusion and potential legal costs.
How will I receive my Schedules?
We’ll send you information to draft personalised Schedules once your Foundation Will is drafted. Each link is unique to you and lets you securely add information for your estate records.
What if I lose or delete the email with my Schedule links?
No problem. Complete the "Modify your Will" form. We’ll verify your identity and resend you the links, right away.
Can I make changes to my Will after completing it?
Yes. You can update your Foundation Will or any Schedule at any time. Each update creates a new, time-stamped version so your most recent wishes are always clear and legally traceable.
How does Willzee make sure my Schedules are linked to my Will?
Every Schedule you complete is securely referenced to your Foundation Will in our system. When your estate is administered, all documents are grouped under your unique Willzee record so nothing gets missed.
Are the Schedules legally binding?
Schedules act as legally supported instructions attached to your Foundation Will. Together, they form clear documentation of your testamentary intent, giving your executor clear direction to remove uncertainty during estate administration.
Will someone check my information?
Yes. Our team reviews each completed document to make sure information is clear, consistent, and ready for use. If anything needs clarification, we’ll get in touch before finalising.
How will I know when my Will is complete?
You’ll receive a confirmation summary once your Foundation Will and any chosen Schedules are done. This summary includes a version number, timestamp, and PDF copy stored in your Willzee Vault.
Willzee
Can Willzee guarantee the wishes in my Will are fulfilled upon my death?
Willzee reduces the chance of your Will being contested by recording your wishes, using digital signatures, and notifying your beneficiaries in advance. While no Will can be fully guaranteed, we do everything possible to protect it.
How can I make sure my Will is not contested?
Make reasonable provision for close family members and keep your Will up to date. Willzee supports this by documenting your intentions clearly and transparently.
When do I pay Willzee?
With Willzee Free, you pay nothing during your lifetime. Willzee's fee is deducted from your estate after your death, when your estate is administered. Willzee Smart members pay a joining fee and an annual renewal in exchange for guided support, legal access and a 50% reduction on the estate fee.
How does Willzee execute my Will after my death?
Unless you specify otherwise, Willzee will be named as your administration partner within your Will. We work alongside and under instruction from your named executor. We manage the necessary bank accounts, property and assets, pay any debts, and distribute to your beneficiaries.
Can’t I just use AI to write my Will?
You can, but AI tools don’t verify your identity, structure your Will for NZ law, or store your documents securely. Willzee provides the complete process — from recording your wishes to ensuring your Will is stored, shared, and ready to stand up in court if needed.
Where is my Will stored if I use Willzee?
Your Will is securely stored in Willzee’s digital Vault. You can access and update it anytime, share it with trusted people, and complete or create additional documents over time. Everything is time-stamped and stored in one place, so it’s easy to retrieve when it matters most.
How does Willzee make my Will stronger?
Willzee strengthens your Will by attaining beneficiary and executor acknowledgements and storing your documents securely. These steps help reduce the risk of disputes, delays, or challenges to your wishes.
Is my data safe with Willzee?
Yes. We use industry-leading security, encryption, and strict access controls to keep your information private and secure.
Do I still need a lawyer if I use Willzee?
Yes, estate administration requires a qualified estate lawyer to handle legal tasks like applying for probate, managing tax obligations, and distributing assets. Willzee provide this service with our own network of partner lawyers. If you prefer we can also hand your wishes on to a lawyer of your choosing.
So what does Willzee actually do?
Willzee helps you organise and document your assets, accounts, and wishes ahead of time. When the time comes, we provide your lawyer with a fully-prepared estate file, dramatically reducing the time (and cost) involved in locating assets and managing paperwork.
How does this save money?
Normally, a large part of a lawyer’s time is spent searching for financial accounts, tracking down paperwork, and verifying information. That time is billed hourly and can quickly add up. Willzee eliminates most of that work, which means your legal costs are significantly reduced.
Is Willzee recognised by lawyers and financial institutions?
Yes. Willzee partners with accredited estate lawyers and financial institutions to ensure all documents meet professional and legal standards.
Can I get personal help while completing my Will?
Yes. You can contact Willzee support or book a guidance session with one of our accredited partners for help completing your Will or schedules.
Is Willzee available in Australia?
Not yet. Willzee is built for New Zealand law and currently serves New Zealand residents. Australia is planned as our next market; you can register your interest via the Willzee Australia link in the footer and we'll let you know when we launch.
Fees
Is it really free to create my Will?
Yes. Creating and updating your Will with Willzee is completely free, for life. Fees only apply later: an estate administration fee paid from your estate after you pass (or a release fee if your executor chooses another provider), and the optional Willzee Smart membership if you want expert support along the way.
When do Willzee charge any fees?
You are charged by Willzee after you pass away, when your estate is administered. The fee is paid directly from the estate funds by the executor before the final distribution to beneficiaries.
How much does Willzee charge?
A one-time administration fee applies: the greater of $5,000 or 1.0% of your estate’s value, capped at $30,000. Larger estates often involve more assets and legal steps, so the percentage helps reflect that extra work fairly, while staying well below traditional rates. Willzee Smart members receive a 50% saving on the administration fee.
How is my estate's value calculated for the fee?
The fee is based on all assets requiring administration, regardless of how they pass, including assets passing by Will, survivorship, nomination or intestacy. This reflects the work actually involved in administering the estate. The fee is the greater of $5,000 or 1.0% of that value, capped at $30,000, and Smart members pay half.
Do Willzee's fees include GST?
Yes. All published Willzee fees, including the estate administration fee, release fee and Smart membership fees, are stated inclusive of GST.
What do lawyers charge?
Estate lawyers typically charge for writing and revising your Will or a subscription fee for their digital service. They also charge for estate administration when you pass and while those fees vary by provider, it’s often 2–4% of your estate’s value, plus hourly fees ranging between $400 and $600 per hour.
What is Willzee Smart and do I need it?
Willzee Smart is a paid membership that gives you access to expert support when creating your Will, ongoing legal advice at a discounted rate of $250/hr, and 50% off estate administration fees when the time comes — saving your family $2,500–$15,000. It starts with a 1-hour guided session — included at joining — to help you complete your Will properly and get the most from the Willzee system. Smart is worth considering if you own significant property or assets, have overseas assets, are in a de facto, blended or second relationship, have an existing trust or want to create one, or want to exclude a family member. It's also the right choice if you simply want someone to guide you through the process and stay available for legal questions over time. If your situation is straightforward and you're confident completing your Will independently, Willzee Free is a complete, legally valid option at no cost — and you can always upgrade to Smart later.
Why does Smart cost more if I'm 60 or over?
The joining fee is $395 under 60 and $495 for those 60 and over. Members joining later in life typically use the included session and legal access sooner and more intensively, so the joining fee reflects that. The annual renewal is $295 for everyone, and all other benefits are identical.
What happens if I stop renewing my Smart membership?
Your Will, Schedules and Vault storage are unaffected and stay free for life. Your Smart benefits continue for a 90-day grace period after a missed renewal. After that, the membership lapses: the standard estate administration fee reinstates, and legal advice access and templates close. Important: the 50% estate fee reduction only applies if your membership is current (or within the grace period) when you pass away. You can rejoin at any time for $395.
Can I upgrade from Free to Smart later?
Yes, at any time. Join Willzee Smart, and your existing Foundation Will and Schedules carry straight over. Your guided session then helps you review and strengthen what you've already created.
Who provides the legal advice in Willzee Smart?
Legal advice is provided by Willzee's accredited legal partner, an independent New Zealand law firm. Your joining session includes up to 30 minutes of the legal partner's time, and their first 30 minutes of reviewing your file is covered by your membership. Any work beyond that is billed by the legal partner directly to you at $250 per hour, always agreed before it starts. Willzee is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
What if I choose a different executor or estate provider?
That’s totally fine. If you appoint someone else, a one-time $5,000 release fee applies to cover lifetime storage, unlimited updates, and document management before your file is transferred. Your estate will then be subject to the schedule of fees of that other estate provider.
Are there any other fees I should know about?
Two to be aware of. If your executor appoints another provider, a one-time $5,000 release fee applies, covering your lifetime of storage, updates and document management. And where complex legal work is required, such as trusts, contested matters or an application to validate an unsigned Will, this is provided by our accredited legal partner at $250 per hour and always agreed with you or your executor before it starts.
How does Willzee compare to a traditional lawyer?
Willzee is a hybrid model offering digital self-service alongside estate lawyers who help review your instructions and administer your wishes when you pass. Willzee’s model removes cost, and with it, the barriers to writing and revising Wills, while simplifying estate administration through well organised documentation.
Are there any ongoing or subscription costs?
With Willzee Free there are no subscription or renewal fees, ever. Your Will remains active and stored for your lifetime. Willzee Smart is an optional membership with an annual renewal of $295, which maintains your 50% estate fee reduction, legal advice access and document templates. If you stop renewing, your Will stays free and safe; only the Smart benefits end.
How does Willzee’s pricing adjust over time?
Fees are reviewed each 31 January against the Consumers Price Index (All Groups, NZ) and the cost of delivering our services. Where a change would materially affect an existing Will or paid service, we give at least 30 days notice, and changes apply prospectively only.
So what does Willzee actually do?
Willzee helps you create, organise and document your assets, accounts, and wishes ahead of time. When the time comes, we provide lawyers with a fully-prepared estate file, reducing the time (and cost) involved in locating assets and managing paperwork.
How does this save money?
Beyond removing the cost of drafting a Will, Willzee is set up to reduce costs of administration. After you pass, a large part of a lawyer’s time is often spent searching for financial accounts, tracking down paperwork, and verifying information. All these tasks and time are at the lawyers hourly rates and quickly add-up. Willzee's system encourages users to document information and keep it up-to-date. This means, when the time comes, your lawyers have all the information so they can act with less effort (and cost).
Is Willzee recognised by lawyers and financial institutions?
Yes. Willzee partners with accredited estate lawyers and financial institutions to ensure all documents meet professional and legal standards.
Can I get personal help while completing my Will?
Yes. The Willzee Smart service is designed to give you the help you need. When you join, you get an hour of immediate support plus access to ongoing personal support at discounted rates. This includes our accredited legal partners who will help design your Will to fit your personal circumstances, including the Foundation Will, Schedules and any Trusts you have or need to protect your assets.
Data privacy
Is this safe?
Absolutely. Willzee uses secure technology to store your information and lawyers to oversee the legal process to ensure everything is handled correctly.
Where does Willzee store my information?
Your information is securely stored using trusted cloud providers who meet international security and privacy standards, including GDPR and the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.
Does Willzee keep my information private?
Absolutely. Your information is never shared or accessed by anyone without your explicit consent. We use encryption, identity checks, and secure one-time links to protect your documents.
Who can access my Will or personal data?
Only you, your authorised executor(s), and — when required — our accredited legal partners involved in estate administration. Every access is logged and time-stamped for audit purposes.
Can I update or delete my information?
Yes. You can update your Will or schedules at any time. If you decide to move your Will elsewhere, just let us know. We’ll safely close your record and remove your personal information from active systems.
How does Willzee keep my information safe?
All data is encrypted in transit and at rest. We issue personal, time-limited access links (instead of passwords) and verify all identity-related requests. Our systems and privacy policies are reviewed regularly to meet or exceed NZ Privacy Act standards.
How long does Willzee keep my information?
Your information is retained securely for the lifetime of your account and estate record. After administration is complete, records will be archived or deleted in accordance with NZ privacy requirements.
What happens if there’s a data breach?
In the unlikely event of a breach, Willzee will notify affected users and the NZ Privacy Commissioner as required by law, and take immediate steps to protect and restore your information.
After you pass
Who can notify Willzee if I pass away?
Anyone, including friends, family, or someone searching for your Will can notify Willzee. It’s a simple way to ensure your wishes are followed, even if they don't have direct access to your documents.
What is Search for a Will?
If you believe someone who has passed away may have held a Will with Willzee, anyone can use the Search for a Will form to ask us to check. We verify the request, and where a record exists we contact the named executor. It's the fastest way to make sure a person's wishes are found and followed.
What happens after someone notifies Willzee of a death?
First, we’ll attempt to reach out to you to confirm; just in case the report was a mistake. If we don’t hear back, we’ll then contact your executor and the beneficiaries named in your Will.
How does Willzee help after my death?
Once your death is confirmed and we receive a verified death certificate, we’ll support your executor to carry out your wishes. This includes help with legal steps like applying for a Grant of Probate, settling any debts and distributing your estate in accordance with your wishes.
