Do My Parents Have Wills? Here’s How to Find Out
In a 2018 New Zealand survey on Wills, 30% of Kiwis said they didn’t know if their parents had Wills. Of the remaining 70% who did know that their parents had Wills, 39% didn’t know where these Wills were stored. Altogether, these two groups make up quite a sizable population of Kiwis who are likely to be in hot water when it becomes absolutely necessary to find their parents’ Wills.
If you’ve found yourself wondering whether your parents have Wills, or are currently wondering if anyone would be able to find yours, we’re here to help!
How to know if your parents have Wills
If your parents are still living, the best way to know if they have Wills is to simply ask. This is easier said than done, we know. After all, there are a number of barriers that prevent these conversations from happening in the first place. More often than not, money and death can be an uncomfortable topic of conversation for both sides.
It can all be very awkward, you probably don’t want to sound greedy or come across “too keen”, so having to be the one to start this conversation may make you feel a bit uneasy. However, a few minutes of uneasiness now may save you hours/days/weeks of stress later on.
In all uncomfortable conversations, good communication is key. Frame your questions well and express that your intention is to know how to locate the Will when it’s needed, and not necessarily about knowing what’s in the Will. That is a very different topic and one that needs careful consideration. Your parents are more likely to give you clear, honest answers if you approach it in a considerate manner.
During the conversation, don’t hesitate to bring up the topic of Will storage and how you can identify that the Will is in fact the last version. It’s easy for a Will to get lost when moving houses or when they have been hidden away in a “safe place” so having this information can make things a lot easier for everyone in the long run.
If your parents pass away before you get to have the conversation, you still have a few options available to you, listed below are some steps which you can take to figure out if they have a Will—and where to find it.
How to find your parents’ Will
Search the house. You’ll likely have to spend some time going through filing cabinets, boxes, etc. to find the right paperwork. If you find a Will don’t stop there, you may need to check that there isn’t another updated version tucked away someplace else.
Check if the Will has been registered on the NZ Wills Registry.
If you have a family lawyer, reach out to them.
Ask other family members or their close friends.
If you want a copy of a Will after the estate has been settled check out www.justice.govt.nz
If you don’t ask your parents about their Will and end up having to search for it when the time comes, it will be another added stress during a time when you are grieving. Turning the house upside down or making awkward phone calls aren’t things you will want to be doing, but this is a reality that many loved ones face.
How can Footprint’s Will Packages help?
If you or your parents are thinking of creating a Will, an online Will with Footprint helps remove the hassle around locating the most recent and valid Will.
First, our two-point system physically keeps a Will safe. The original Will can be stored with us offsite in our flood and earthquake-proof facility, and a copy can be stored in the digital vault. The digital copy only becomes available to the executor once the Will writer has passed, so they can perform their responsibilities.
Second, we’ve created a Will notification feature that is included with all our packages which allows selected people to be notified of the Wills existence and digital location with Footprint. It doesn’t allow Will access to the recipients but it takes away all the hassle of trying to find the last legally valid Will. There is also plenty of flexibility within this process; Will writers can change and edit who receives notifications at any time, as well as decide whether or not they want to send notifications whenever they update the Will.
Ultimately, signing up for a notification-enabled Will package with Footprint saves time, energy, and money spent searching, especially during a time of grieving and hardship.
Choose Online Wills with Footprint
Without the proper systems in place, Wills can be a tricky business, but the team here at Footprint is dedicated to making the process as easy and efficient as possible for you and your family. For more information on what services we offer, explore our services online, and view our Will package options. Alternatively, if you have any queries you can’t find the answers to in our FAQs, feel free to contact us! We’ll be happy to help you however we can.
