Your Beneficiaries FAQs

Any person or legal entity (charity, trust, company). Most NZ wills include close family first, with optional gifts to friends or charities.

Yes — common in NZ (e.g., spouse/partner or adult child). Keep in mind witnesses should be independent of beneficiaries to avoid risking the gift.

Yes. Executors typically hold funds until age 18 (or later if your Will sets staged ages). Record each minor’s current age for clarity.

Use the full legal name. For charities, include the registration number and website if possible. Add a contact email for executor queries.

Specific gifts are particular items or sums. The residue is everything left after debts, expenses and specific gifts. You set % shares of residue later in the flow.

Their gift will usually lapse unless you specify substitutes (e.g., “to my daughter, but if she does not survive me, to her children equally”). Our gift pages support sensible fallback wording.

Many wills require a beneficiary to survive you by a short period (often 30 days) to avoid double administration if deaths are close together. We can include this when allocating shares of residue.

Not required, but an email or phone can help executors confirm identities and speed up administration — especially for charities and distant relatives.

Yes. Executors may need extra ID checks or bank steps. Consider currency, fees, and transfer timing; clear contact details help.

Full legal name, relationship to you, and (for minors) current age. Contact details are optional but helpful for executors. Keep names consistent across pages so gifts map correctly.

One is required; you can add up to 20 in total. Keep the list focused so administration stays efficient and clear.

You can, but certain close family may have rights to claim provision from your estate under NZ law. If excluding someone who might expect support, consider leaving a brief explanation and get advice if needed.

Fixed amounts suit specific gifts; percentages are best for residue so each beneficiary shares the remainder proportionally. Many people do both (a few specific gifts, then % residue).

Specific gifts may be adeemed (fail if the item no longer exists) or reduced if assets are insufficient. Residue is what remains after debts, taxes, expenses and specific gifts are handled first.

Yes. You can direct that a child’s share is held and then paid at one or more ages (e.g., part at 21, balance at 25), with maintenance/education payments in the meantime. This is set later in the flow if you choose it.

A beneficiary (or their partner) should not witness your Will — their gift can be at risk. Use two independent adult witnesses instead.

Yes. You can make specific gifts for important items (jewellery, taonga, artworks) and keep a short list updated. Ensure names match your beneficiary entries to avoid confusion.

Yes — make a new will (or a properly executed codicil). Review after major life events (new child, marriage/separation, buying/selling assets).