Types of wills. Simple, Normal or Complex — Which Will Suits You?
Not all wills are the same. As life gets more complicated, your will usually needs to move up a level.
Which Type of Will Do You Need?
There are three types of will we prepare. Most New Zealand families use a Normal Will as part of a complete will-based estate plan.
Simple Will
Leaves everything to one person (e.g. a spouse), or divides your estate equally among named people. No conditions or complex arrangements.
From $300 (1 person) / $600 (couple)
Normal Will Most Popular
Includes backup provisions, trusts for young children, and specific gifts. Works for most New Zealand families and is included in all will-based estate plans.
From $500 (1 person) / $1,000 (couple)
Complex Will
For blended families, significant assets, business interests, overseas property, or where you want conditions attached to gifts.
From $750 (1 person) / $1,500 (couple)
💡 Not sure which type you need?
When you request a quote through our will-based estate plan page, we will review your situation and confirm the right will type for you — at no charge and with no obligation.
Ready to Get Started?
Choose the right plan for your situation — we will confirm the correct will type when you request a quote.
Will-Based Estate Plan
The right choice for most New Zealand families. Includes your will, enduring powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and more — as a complete coordinated package.
Will-Based Estate Plan →Trust-Based Estate Plan
If you have significant assets, a blended family, or want maximum asset protection, a trust-based plan may suit you better. Includes all will-based documents plus your trust.
Trust-Based Estate Plan →
Will Provisions — Full Comparison
| Provision | Simple | Normal | Complex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose your Executors/Trustees | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Choose Subsequent Executors/Trustees | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leave estate to partner/others equally | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leave estate to children/others equally | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child share goes to their children | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Burial or cremation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Simple trustee powers | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Detailed trustee powers | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Guardians for children under 18 | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bequests (gifts) | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leave part/all estate to one Trust | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Provisions for pets | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Contemplation of marriage/civil union | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Beneficiary protection clauses | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Secondary beneficiaries if all others die | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Special signature provisions | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Unequal division of assets | — | — | ✓ |
| Exclude/include overseas assets | — | — | ✓ |
| Provisions for farms/businesses | — | — | ✓ |
| Exclude/include NZ Māori land | — | — | ✓ |
| Life/defined interest in home/assets | — | — | ✓ |
| Excluded beneficiaries clause | — | — | ✓ |
| Provisions for blended families | — | — | ✓ |
| Leave estate to 2 or more Trusts | — | — | ✓ |
Ready to get your will-based estate plan started?
Request a free, no-obligation quote — we'll confirm which type of will suits you and what it will cost.