Protect Your Legacy
How many wills and estates lawyers are there in New Zealand?
We list 166 lawyers who name "Trusts and Estates" as an area of practice on the New Zealand Law Society register, read in September 2026. Most are in Auckland (71), Canterbury (21) and Wellington (19).
How do I check a wills and estates lawyer?
Every practising lawyer in New Zealand must hold a current practising certificate from the New Zealand Law Society. Search the Law Society's Find a Lawyer page, or open a profile here: each links to the lawyer's register entry and shows the certificate type and expiry date as we last read them. The Law Society does not accredit specialisations.
Coverage: we hold 1,322 of about 19,126 register entries (roughly 7%), so these are our counts, not the size of the profession. Practice areas are self-selected by each lawyer and indicate the work they are willing to take on. The New Zealand Law Society does not accredit areas of practice.
Need a Wills Lawyer? Here's What You Should Know
Quick Answer: Will writing costs $500-1,500 for simple wills, $2,000-5,000 for complex situations. Family trusts cost $3,000-8,000 to establish. Essential for ensuring your wishes are honored and avoiding family disputes.
When You Need One:
- • You have assets or children
- • Getting married or divorced
- • Starting a family or business
- • Estate administration
- • Setting up trusts
What It Costs:
- • Simple will: $500-1,500
- • Complex will: $2,000-5,000
- • Family trust: $3,000-8,000
- • EPA: $800-1,500
- • Estate admin: 4-6%
How Long It Takes:
- • Simple will: 1-2 weeks
- • Complex will: 2-4 weeks
- • Family trust: 4-6 weeks
- • Probate: 3-12 months
What to Expect:
- • Fixed-fee options
- • Plain English advice
- • Safe document storage
- • Ongoing support
Should You DIY Your Will?
DIY Risks:
- • Invalid wills cost families $10k+ to fix
- • Ambiguous wording causes disputes
- • Missing proper witnesses voids wills
- • Tax implications often missed
Professional Benefits:
- • Legally valid and enforceable
- • Clear, unambiguous language
- • Tax-efficient structuring
- • Proper witnessing ensured
- • Secure storage provided
Wills & Estate Services
Comprehensive legal support for protecting your legacy in New Zealand
Will Writing
Professional will drafting to ensure your wishes are clearly documented and legally binding.
Family Trusts
Protect your assets and provide for your family with properly structured family trusts.
Estate Planning
Comprehensive planning to minimize taxes, protect assets, and ensure smooth wealth transfer.
Probate & Administration
Expert guidance through probate applications and estate administration processes.
Powers of Attorney
Enduring powers of attorney for property and personal care decisions.
How LawyerFinder Works
Get Matched with Estate Planning Experts
Answer a few questions to get connected with the right wills and estates lawyer for your needs.
📜 Request a QuoteExpert Wills & Estates Services in New Zealand
LawyerFinder lists wills and estates lawyers from the NZ Law Society register, covering legal services to help you protect your assets, minimize tax implications, and ensure your wishes are honored after your passing. Whether you need a straightforward will, complex trust structures, or assistance with estate administration, our lawyers understand the intricacies of New Zealand succession law and provide practical solutions that protect your legacy while providing for your loved ones.
Comprehensive Will Writing & Estate Planning
Professional Will Drafting
A well-drafted will is the cornerstone of effective estate planning. Our lawyers ensure your will accurately reflects your wishes and complies with all legal requirements:
- Simple Wills: Basic will preparation for straightforward asset distribution
- Complex Wills: Detailed wills addressing business interests, multiple properties, and complex family situations
- Mirror Wills: Coordinated will planning for married couples and civil union partners
- Testamentary Trusts: Wills creating trusts for minor children or beneficiary protection
- Charitable Bequests: Including charitable donations and philanthropic legacy planning
Trust Formation & Administration
Trusts provide powerful tools for asset protection, tax planning, and beneficiary support. Our lawyers create and manage various trust structures:
- Discretionary Trusts: Flexible distributions based on beneficiary needs
- Unit Trusts: Defined beneficial interests and proportional distributions
- Asset Protection: Protecting wealth from creditors and relationship property claims
- Special Needs Trusts: Supporting disabled beneficiaries while preserving assistance
Powers of Attorney & Healthcare Planning
Planning for incapacity is a critical component of comprehensive estate planning:
- Property Powers: Financial decision-making authority for banking, investments, and property
- Care & Welfare Powers: Personal and healthcare decision-making
- Advance Directives: Healthcare preferences and end-of-life decisions
Estate Administration & Probate
When someone dies, their estate must be properly administered according to law:
- Probate Grants: Court applications for authority to administer estates
- Letters of Administration: Intestacy situations where no valid will exists
- Executor Assistance: Supporting appointed executors with legal obligations
- Estate Disputes: Will challenges and family protection claims
Wills & Estates Costs & Fees
- Simple Wills: $500-1,500 for straightforward single or mirror wills
- Complex Wills: $2,000-5,000 for detailed wills with trust provisions
- Family Trusts: $3,000-8,000 for trust establishment and documentation
- Powers of Attorney: $800-1,500 for comprehensive EPA documents
- Estate Administration: 4-6% of gross estate value
- Probate Applications: $3,000-8,000 depending on complexity
Related Legal Services
- Property Law - for property transfers and ownership
- Family Law - for relationship property matters
- Elder Law - for seniors and retirement planning
- Tax Law - for estate tax planning
Wills & Estate Lawyers by Location
Find experienced estate planning specialists across New Zealand:
Major Cities
- Wills Lawyers Auckland - 150+ estate specialists
- Wills Lawyers Wellington - Capital city experts
- Wills Lawyers Christchurch - South Island coverage
- Wills Lawyers Hamilton - Waikato specialists
Regional Centers
- Wills Lawyers Tauranga - Lifestyle block succession
- Wills Lawyers Dunedin - Heritage property estates
- Wills Lawyers Palmerston North
- Wills Lawyers Rotorua
Related Legal Services
Estate planning often connects with other areas of law:
Property & Financial
- Property Law - Property transfers and ownership
- Business Law - Business succession planning
- Tax Law - Estate and trust taxation
Family & Personal
- Family Law - Relationship property and family matters
- Elder Law - Seniors and retirement planning
Ready to Protect Your Legacy?
Connect with experienced wills and estates lawyers for your planning needs.
Find a Lawyer Now