Your Wishes FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Statements of Wishes (NZ)

Use these FAQs to understand how a Statement of Wishes works beside your Will, what to include, and what to avoid. For step-by-step guidance, see the Wishes Help Guide.

It is an optional document that sits alongside your Will. It records personal preferences and practical guidance for your Executors and family.

It is generally guidance rather than a binding Will clause. Your Will controls legal appointments, gifts, and Estate distribution.

A Will should stay clear and legally focused. A separate Wishes document is better for personal, private, detailed, or changeable guidance.

You can record burial or cremation preferences, memorial wishes, music, readings, speakers, ashes, burial location, or tone of service.

Not guaranteed. Funeral decisions can be practical and time-sensitive, so tell your Executors and family what matters to you and where the Wishes document is stored.

Yes. Use the page to record your preference and any limits, but also discuss your wishes with family because donation teams consider family, cultural, and spiritual views.

No. Never include passwords, PINs, seed phrases, private keys, or bank logins. State where secure access instructions are kept instead.

List the types of accounts that matter, such as email, social media, cloud storage, subscriptions, websites, crypto, or online banking. Say where the secure access list is kept.

Yes. Name the preferred carer, include pet names, vet details, routines, food, medication, and any practical funding or care notes.

They are practical notes that help family manage your home or belongings, such as contacts to notify, simple maintenance, stored items, or who knows where things are.

Yes. Keep messages respectful, clear, and not too long. A short note can be more comforting and easier to share than a long statement.

Yes. You can usually replace it without re-signing your Will, as long as it does not try to change the Will itself. Keep the latest dated copy with your Will.

It is not signed like a Will. A dated signature can still help show it is your latest version, but it does not replace formal Will signing rules.

Store it with your Will, or somewhere your Executors know to check quickly. Funeral and organ donation wishes may need to be found before probate.

The Will should control legal gifts and Estate distribution. Update the Will itself if you want to change who receives property or money.

Read the Statement of Wishes examples article for realistic section-by-section wording ideas.
Need step-by-step guidance? Read the Wishes Help Guide.
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