Half of New Zealanders Don’t Have a Will, Could That Be You?
When it comes to life admin, writing a Will often sits right at the bottom of the to-do list. It’s easy to put off, no one likes to think about what happens when they’re gone. But here’s the surprising (and slightly worrying) reality: around 50% of New Zealanders don’t have a Will.
That’s half the population leaving their loved ones without clear instructions. And while it might feel like a problem you can deal with “later” the truth is that later often comes sooner than we expect.
What Happens If You Don’t Have a Will in New Zealand?
When someone dies without a Will (known legally as dying intestate) the government decides how their estate is divided. There’s a specific formula in New Zealand law that sets out who gets what. Sometimes that matches what you would have wanted but often it doesn’t.
For example:
If you’re married with kids your spouse doesn’t automatically inherit everything. They receive your personal belongings, the first $155,000, and one third of the remainder. The rest gets distributed equally between your children.
If you don’t have children but your parents are still alive your spouse shares the estate with them.
If you have no surviving relatives your estate passes to the State.
That’s a far cry from having the freedom to decide who gets your assets or how they’re shared.
The Cost of Dying Without a Will
Money isn’t the first thing families think about after losing a loved one, but it quickly becomes part of the picture. Without a Will the cost of administering an estate goes up by around 50%.
With a Will: estates usually take 6–12 months to settle, with costs averaging $10,000.
Without a Will: estates can drag on for 18–24 months, and costs can start at $15,000 or more.
Those extra costs don’t just eat into savings, they reduce the inheritance your family receives. And when the process drags on for years it adds another layer of stress during what’s already an emotional time.
It’s not just about money. Without a Will families are often left second guessing your wishes. What type of funeral did you want? Who takes guardianship of the children? Should that treasured heirloom go to a sibling or a child?
When nothing is written down disagreements can quickly escalate into disputes, and sometimes even court battles. It’s one of the main reasons why dying without a Will can cause rifts in families that might never fully heal.
KiwiSaver, The Hidden Trap
One detail many Kiwis miss is how KiwiSaver is affected. From 24 September 2025 once your balance reaches $40,000 your family can’t simply access it unless you have a Will in place.
That means money you may have intended as a safety net for your loved ones could end up tied up in legal processes, inaccessible when they need it most.
Why People Put It Off
So why do so many New Zealanders avoid writing a Will? A few common reasons come up time and again:
“I don’t have enough assets.” Many people think Wills are just for the wealthy. In reality if you have anything, property, savings, KiwiSaver, a car, even sentimental belongings, you should decide where they go.
“I’m too young.” Tragedy doesn’t wait until retirement. In fact, young families are often most affected because guardianship decisions for children are left in limbo without a Will.
“It’s complicated or expensive.” Wills used to mean lawyers, big bills, and paperwork. Today digital solutions, like Footprint, make the process easy, affordable and stress free.
“I’ll do it later.” The classic procrastination trap. But later often becomes never.
The Gift of Having a Will
At its core a Will isn’t about death, it’s about life. It’s about making sure the people you care about are looked after, that your wishes are respected and that your family is spared unnecessary stress and costs.
Think of it this way:
With a Will, you’re leaving clarity.
Without a Will, you’re leaving questions.
And those questions can cost thousands of dollars, months (or years) of waiting, and endless family tension.
Time to Adult and Take Action
If you’re part of the half of Kiwis who still don’t have a Will now’s the perfect time to change that. It doesn’t matter if you’re 25 or 65, single or married, with kids or without, having a Will is one of the simplest, most powerful things you can do for the people you love.
It’s easier than ever to get sorted. With Footprint you can create a legally binding Will online in less time than it takes to make dinner. No fuss, no expensive lawyer fees and no putting it off for “later.”
So ask yourself: if something happened tomorrow would your loved ones know what to do? If the answer’s no, maybe today’s the day to finally get it done.
And let’s be honest, getting your Will sorted is one of those classic signs of adulting. Just like setting up your KiwiSaver, paying your bills on time or booking that dental check-up, it’s a small step that makes a big difference. Future you and your loved ones will thank you for it.
Plan today, tomorrow is a mystery – your Will shouldn’t be!
