How to make a free Will online

Online Wills work for some people but aren’t ideal for everyone. Here’s what you need to know about making a digital Will to make sure you don’t leave a headache behind for your loved ones.

By Citro partner Gathered Here

Making an online Will is quick, legal, easy and free for Citro members using Gathered Here . But there are some details to be aware of. Here’s how to figure out whether you should write an online Will.

Does everyone need a Will

Yep. No matter how much you own or how simple you think dividing your estate will be, having a Will and advanced planning in place  is the best way to make sure everything happens according to your wishes.

The best way to outline your ‘testamentary wishes’ is to have a legally binding document, which is officially called a Will.  

If you don’t have a legally valid Will in place, you will die ‘intestate’, which - depending where you live - means a court or legislation will define how your estate is broken up and distributed. Sometimes, this means your estate will also be charged fees as a cost for distributing your assets.

Having a Will isn’t just about giving your money and possessions to the people (or charities) you care most about. It also makes things much easier for your loved ones to go through probate when you die.

There’s a surprising amount of admin involved when someone dies, which can be stressful and confusing for grieving families. Having an up-to-date Will clears some of that confusion.

Using Citro and Gathered Here’s free online Will service will create a legally binding document that is much better than having no Will at all.

Online Wills: how they work

With an online Will, you fill out a questionnaire with information about yourself, your assets and what you would like to happen after you die. You also nominate someone (or multiple people) you trust to carry out your wishes. It takes about 10 minutes all up.

The Gathered Here pltaform will take that information and create a Will for you. 

Then, you have to download the Will and print and sign it in front of 2 witnesses who also have to sign the Will. These witnesses cannot be mentioned in the Will.

Citro members can create a free Will on Gathered Here using this process.

Should I write an online Will?

If you don’t currently have a Will, an online Will is a must. There may come a time in your life when a solicitor-drafted will is more appropriate. But having an online Will is far better than having no Will at all – and it only takes a few minutes to complete.

Online Wills are quick, easy and affordable. Gathered Here online Wills for Citro members are completely free to write and you can update them as many times as you like – for no cost.

However, online Wills are best for people in relatively straightforward situations. For example, if you own a business, have a self-managed super fund, or have a blended family, it may be better to speak to an estate planning expert, rather than write an online will.

If you use Citro’s Gathered Here platform to create your online Will, and, if your needs are deemed too complex, we’ll prompt you to contact our legal team, who will use the information you’d already provided to help you write a will that suits your circumstances.

Are online Wills legal?

When completed properly, online Wills are legal. If you’re using Gathered Here to write your online Will, just follow the instructions carefully and fill in the sections to reflect your wishes.

Once you’re done, print your Will and sign it in front of 2 independent people. That means they can’t be included in the Will, and neither can their children, dependents, or spouses. These people are known as witnesses – they’ll also have to sign it. This is called ‘executing’ the Will.

When completed and executed properly, you have a legal Will. Write it with Citro and Gathered Here, and it’s even free.

It’s best if everyone signs the will with the same pen, so there can be no doubt that it was signed without everyone present.

The benefits of an online Will

There are lots of benefits to writing an online will including the low cost, the convenience, and the quick-turnaround time for getting a final, legal document.

Online Wills are much more affordable than working with a solicitor to write one. Gathered Here offers online Wills for free so anyone can write one regardless of income. Without online Wills, many people would be priced out of estate planning.

Convenience

An online Will doesn’t require a visit to a solicitor’s office. This makes the task much easier for people in rural communities, people who find it difficult to leave their home, or people who are just plain busy.

Speed

An online Will can be completed in a matter of minutes. That job you’ve been putting off for months? You can get it done on your lunch break with time to spare

Or, if you need a Will quickly, writing one online is much faster than waiting for your solicitor to draft one for you. For example, you may need a Will for visa purposes.

Flexibility

Online Wills are much easier to amend compared to solicitor-drafted Wills. Gathered Here offers free updates to online Wills for life, so no matter how many times you change your mind, you can adjust your will for free.

Drawbacks of an online Will

Online Wills aren’t suitable for everyone. If any of these apply to you, it may be better to consider seeking expert estate-planning advice:

• You have an extensive estate
• You have a family trust
• You own a business
• You have a self-managed super fund
• You have overseas assets
• Your wishes are complex
• You have a dependant adult child
• You have a blended family
• You believe there may be a high chance your will is contested

If any of these apply to you, you can still complete an online Will on Gathered Here. Once you’ve completed the online Will, contact our in-house legal team and they’ll be able to use the information you’ve already provided to create a more suitable plan for you.

Make sure your family is provided for, get your final wishes written down, and tick one more thing off your to-do list. Write your online will today.

^{Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers’ decisions about investing or financial products. They should always seek their own professional advice that takes into account their own personal circumstances before making any financial decisions.}