Your legacy can change the future for generations of talented young people

A gift in your Will costs you nothing today. It can carry a young person who is first in their whānau all the way through university, long after you are gone.

Nothing changes now. You look after the people you love first. Your gift funds financial support, mentoring and paid work experience, every gift goes further than you would think.

People just like you have given someone their first chance

Making a Will is simpler than the job created by not having one

Grief is hard enough without a stack of forms and a list of questions nobody can answer. Without a Will, sorting out an estate gets slower, more expensive and more painful for whoever ends up managing it. With a Will, your KiwiSaver, life insurance, car and your grandmother’s ring all go where you meant them to go.

If you are over 18 you can make a Will. If you own a home, have children or have savings of any real size, it stops being a someday job.

Understanding the importance of making a Will

What is a Will?

A Will is a crucial document where you outline your wishes for distributing your assets, expressing your funeral preferences, and naming guardians if necessary. It’s your voice after you’re gone.

Why is a Will necessary?

• Protects your loved ones: Helps avoid a complicated and costly estate administration process.
• Control over your assets: Ensures you decide who receives your assets, such as life insurance, KiwiSaver, and personal items.
• Essential for adults: Critical once the value of what you own exceeds $15,000 or if you’re over 18, especially when you start accumulating wealth or growing a family.

Consequences of not having a Will

• Under $40k: Closest relative can manage the estate without probate.
• $40k+ or property owned: Legal authority needed to act as executor.
• Default law distribution: Without a Will, your assets are distributed according to default laws, which might not reflect your wishes.

Embrace the power of Will-making

Creating a will is a powerful step in managing your future. It’s not just about legal formalities—it’s about personal expression. Your Will can ensure that your financial assets and cherished personal items are passed on according to your desires. Without a Will, the process can be more difficult and costly for your loved ones.

What happens without a Will?

Intestate Law:

Without a Will, estates are settled in accordance with the Administration Act 1969, which may not reflect your personal wishes.

Scenarios without a Will:

• Spouse and no children: Spouse receives everything.
• Spouse and children: Spouse gets personal chattels, $155,000 (plus interest), and one-third of the remainder. Children share the rest.
• No immediate family: Estate could revert to the state unless dependents apply for consideration.

Simple, free, and personal

We know estate planning sounds a bit scary. That’s why during Gifts in Wills Month, First Foundation partners with Footprint to offer a free Will service, simplifying and demystifying the process. This service is designed to be straightforward and accessible, removing financial barriers and helping you tailor your legacy.

Secure your legacy

Your story is unique, and so should your Will be. Let us help you ensure it’s written just as you wish. Start today by visiting First Foundation’s Free Will Service to learn more and begin the process of securing your legacy for tomorrow.

Get in touch

For more information reach out to Josiah Parr, First Foundation’s Philanthropy and Communities Manager on 027 246 0766 or josiah.parr@firstfoundation.org.nz. Thanks for your generosity.