Personal wills
 

What's your thoughts on this? DIY and witnessed or do it through a lawyer?

We have wills written in the UK and most of the fundamentals will remain unchanged so just wondering if I can save ourselves some $$$ by doing it ourselves using the UK version as a guide.

Re: Personal wills
 

We're in the same boat MrsC.
Had a will in the UK but was advised to formally make it null and void when we migrated to NZ and haven't done another since. Have been meaning to and it's on the list of things to do. Planned to do it after building the house but just never got round to it. At the end of our mortgage fixed rate next month so I suppose there's no time like the present to get it done.

Re: Personal wills
 

We have an appointment with a life insurance broker in town, will let you know how we get on as they might be able to suggest a will writer (If such a thing exists in NZ) ;)

Re: Personal wills
 

Making a will in NZ is easey peasey.

Do it through a fixed fee lawyer.

Re: Personal wills
 

Thanks Bev :)

Re: Personal wills
 

We did ours using a will kit like this:

https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/...ll-kit/1693898

As long as the kit is good quality and legitimate then I would say it's much cheaper and easier to do it this way. We are a pretty straight forward case with assets and beneficiaries, perhaps if your situation is more complicated then it's best to consult a lawyer.

Re: Personal wills
 

Excellent! Thank you. I love mighty ape :)

Re: Personal wills
 

It is possible to make a simple will

Re: Personal wills
 

we have a deal at work where our kiwisaver company do wills for FREE!!! and when I was doing mine, relatively simple - It's all going to the crazy cat woman - the bloke writing it up said a lot of their work is sorting out the mess people make with the DIY one's! Mind you, as Mandy Rice Davis once said, "well, he would say that wouldn't he"!

Re: Personal wills
 

We did ours here a few years ago through a solicitor friend so it was free. We need to update ours now in the light of issues with my nephews. Our problem is who to leave anything to. We have thought of our God-daughter and her sister but tbh we never hear from them. I would leave some to a worthwhile charity but wouldn't want to leave it all to that. So that's holding us back. In the meantime, if anything happens to us then the selfish nephews get it all, so a decision is needed pronto!

Re: Personal wills
 

I could have written this! We're in the same boat. No kids but have nieces and nephews. Thing is they will get a decent chunk of inheritance from grandparents when they pop off so I sort of feel like they don't need it, and I would rather give it to people/charities in genuine need. Plus their parents do a pretty shit job at keeping in touch. We decided a small token gesture to all of them and the rest to various charities.

Re: Personal wills
 

I think we're all in that boat!
we're nil kids, and 'family' that aren't that interested in keeping in touch now....should imagine that will change if we ever look like we're at death's door.
We've decided on handing over some family heirlooms, perhaps a bit of money and telling them that we're making a charitable donation in their name to various charities.
Just wish we could be there to see the WTF moment(s)!

Re: Personal wills
 

If you want to see the WTF moments why not tell them now.
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Re: Personal wills
 

Not a problem for me, I have descendents coming out of my ears even though I only had 2 (I love them all) however I have heard that Starship is very good and likes to have an ongoing relationship with contributors etc

Re: Personal wills
 

Does a UK will have any force once you move permanently to NZ? We will be moving to farm and so bringing significant assets. We have UK wills at present and will have family left in the UK.