Make or update your will
with a Hills District solicitor.
A will decides what happens to everything you own — and who is in charge of carrying out your wishes. We prepare and review wills for individuals, couples and families across Baulkham Hills and the wider Hills District.
What a will lets you control
If you die without a valid will you die intestate, and your estate is divided under a fixed statutory formula in the Succession Act 2006 (NSW) rather than by your own choices. That formula often produces results people would not have wanted, and adds delay and cost at the worst possible time.
A properly drafted will puts you in control of who benefits, who manages the estate, and how your family is looked after.
- Who receives your assets, and in what shares
- Who administers your estate as executor
- Arrangements for children and other dependants
- Who you would want as guardian of young children
- Provisions that reduce the scope for later disputes
What usually goes into a will
Revocation of earlier wills
Confirms this will cancels any previous wills, so there is no doubt about which document governs.
Appointment of an executor
Your executor collects assets, pays debts and taxes, and distributes the estate. You can appoint more than one, and name a substitute.
Gifts and the residue
Specific gifts, then the residue — everything left after debts, expenses and specific gifts — with provision for a beneficiary who dies before you.
Guardianship of children
If you have children under 18, your will can nominate who you would want to care for them. For many parents this is the main reason to have a will.
Why correct signing matters
A will that is not executed correctly can fail, even if its contents are exactly what you intended. In NSW a will must be in writing, signed by the person making it, and witnessed by two people present at the same time who also sign.
Witnessing errors are one of the most common reasons a will is later challenged — which is why having the signing supervised matters as much as the drafting.
A will is not "set and forget"
- You marry, separate or divorce
- You have children or grandchildren
- Your assets change significantly
- An executor or beneficiary dies
- Your relationships or intentions change
Wills FAQs
Do I need a solicitor to make a will?
You can use a will kit, but home-made wills are a common cause of estate disputes — unclear wording, witnessing errors, and assets like superannuation and jointly owned property that don't pass under a will at all. Having a will prepared and its signing supervised reduces those risks.
What happens if I die without a will in NSW?
You are said to have died intestate, and your estate is divided under the statutory formula in the Succession Act 2006 (NSW). That formula may not reflect what you would have chosen and can add delay and cost for your family.
When should I update my will?
Review it after major life events — marriage, separation or divorce, children or grandchildren, a significant change in your assets, or the death of an executor or beneficiary. Marriage and divorce in particular can affect how a will operates.
How is a will validly signed in NSW?
It must be in writing and signed by the person making it, with that signature witnessed by two people present at the same time who also sign. Errors at the witnessing stage are a frequent reason wills are later challenged.
Related: Powers of attorney · Appointment of enduring guardian · Probate & administration · Family provision claims · Wills & estates overview
Talk to us about your will.
Whether you need a new will or want an existing one reviewed, tell us the situation and we'll come back to you promptly. You'll receive clear costs disclosure before any work begins.