Free will template (Australia)
A free Australian simple will template from Quillio covers: revocation of prior wills, executor appointment, specific gifts, residue, guardianship of minor children, and execution clauses. Drafted to comply with execution requirements under the Succession Act 2006 (NSW), Wills Act 1997 (VIC), and equivalents. HONEST WARNING: template wills work for simple estates but carry real risks — failed execution, unclear gifts, no testamentary trust protection. A solicitor-drafted will at $200-$600 is usually worth the cost.
What a simple will covers
Revocation of all prior wills; appointment of executor(s) and alternates; specific gifts (e.g., "my gold watch to my daughter Sarah"); gift of residue (everything else, typically equally among children); guardianship appointment for minor children (though the Family Court can override); execution clause; attestation clause. Simple wills are suitable where the estate is straightforward, no trust benefits are needed, and beneficiaries are of full capacity.
Execution requirements by state
Each state and territory has formal execution requirements. NSW: section 6 of the Succession Act 2006 (NSW) — signed by testator in presence of 2+ witnesses both present at the same time. VIC: section 7 of the Wills Act 1997 (VIC). Equivalents in QLD, WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT. Execution failures are the single most common cause of contested informal will applications (section 8 Succession Act 2006 (NSW)) — which cost the estate $5,000-$15,000.
When a template is NOT enough
Template wills are inadequate where: there are minor children who would benefit from a testamentary trust; there is business ownership (SMSF, trusts, private companies); there is a blended family or contentious relationships; there are vulnerable beneficiaries (disability, addiction); there are overseas assets; or the estate is above $500,000 in investable assets. In these cases, invest in proper advice — $500-$3,000 for a bespoke will saves tens of thousands in estate disputes.
How I generate wills
Tell me the testator, beneficiaries, specific gifts, and executor. I produce a simple will in under a minute, drafted to the testator's state. For estate planning lawyers handling volume simple wills, this is routine automation. For complex estates I support the lawyer but do not replace proper testamentary trust drafting.
Common issues
- Executing a will without both witnesses present at the same time is the most common execution fault
- Specific gifts that describe property vaguely ("my shares") can fail for uncertainty
- Guardianship clauses cannot override the Family Court's jurisdiction — they are persuasive only
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