Use this step to record specific gifts (also called specific legacies or bequests) for your beneficiaries.
Clear, accurate descriptions help your executors identify the right item and reduce the risk of disputes.
What is a “specific gift”?
- A particular item or sum (e.g., “my vintage guitar”, “$5,000 to my niece”, “my Kia Sportage ABC123”).
- Given to a named beneficiary (person or organisation) you select from your list.
- Anything not given as a specific gift forms part of your residuary estate which you divide by percentages later.
How do I complete this page correctly?
- Select the beneficiary from the dropdown.
- Describe each gift clearly — include make/model, serial/registration numbers, colour, location, or account identifiers if relevant.
- Use extra lines to add multiple gifts for the same beneficiary (up to 5 per block).
- Keep names consistent with your Beneficiaries list so items go to the right person/organisation.
Cash gifts and charities
- You can gift a fixed sum (e.g., “$5,000 to XYZ Charity” or to a person).
- For charities, use the full legal name and add register details when available to avoid confusion.
- NZ has no inheritance tax. Estate income can still be taxable, and overseas rules may differ. Lifetime donations can attract tax credits, but gifts by will do not (credits apply to living donors only).
What if the item no longer exists when I die?
If you no longer own a specific item at death (sold, given away, destroyed), that gift usually fails
and the beneficiary receives nothing in its place — the value falls into the residue. Keep your list current, or use
general wording (e.g., “my car” rather than a registration) if your intent is to pass whatever you have at the time.
Should I add special instructions?
Optional notes can clarify intent (e.g., “If the guitar has been sold, give my nephew my other electric guitar instead”).
Keep guidance short and practical. Complex directions can be hard to administer.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using nicknames or vague descriptions (“my old ring”) instead of precise identifiers.
- Naming a beneficiary but forgetting to select them from the dropdown (no ID captured).
- Listing an item you no longer own (the gift fails and falls into the residue).
- Using an informal charity name instead of the legal name (and register details when you have them).
Most people:
Add a few meaningful items (jewellery, vehicle, heirlooms) and any cash gifts, then handle the rest via the Estate step.
Note:
If a specific gift fails (e.g., you no longer own it), it usually falls into your residuary estate and is split by your percentages.
Typically:
People identify items by make/model/ID (or clear description + location) so executors can find them quickly.
Recommendation:
Review gifts after major life changes (move house, sell assets, new purchases) so your Will reflects what you own.
Quick Questions
- Can I gift something I co-own? Yes — you can usually gift your share/interest. Be specific (e.g., “my 50% share in…”).
- Can I gift digital assets? Yes — list accounts or devices clearly and store access details securely (not in the Will text).
- Do cash gifts come before residue? Yes — specific/cash gifts are paid first; the balance forms the residue for the Estate step.
- Can I set a fallback item or cash if the item is gone? Yes — add a brief note (special instructions) stating your alternative.
🔍 Need more answers?
See the full Gifts FAQs for detailed questions and answers.