🖊️ Signing & witnessing
Make it legally valid
A Will only becomes valid when it's signed and witnessed correctly. Here's exactly how, step by step.
You
You have your printed Will ready.
1
Print your Will
Print the PDF single-sided. Don't sign it yet — everyone signs together, in the same room, at the same time.
Correct
- • Two witnesses, both 18+
- • Everyone in the same room at the same time
- • Witnesses receive nothing under the Will
- • All sign the same document
Gets it wrong
- • A beneficiary (or their partner) acts as a witness
- • Witnesses sign later, or in another room
- • Only one witness
- • Signing a photocopy, not the original all signed
Few contacts in NZ?
If you've recently moved here and don't know many people, a Justice of the Peace can witness your Will — they're available free at many libraries and community centres. A colleague or neighbour works too, as long as they aren't beneficiaries.