Wills are simpler than most people fear, and the traps are predictable. These guides answer the questions people actually ask, in plain English, for Australian law — no jargon and no upselling.
All guides
Start with the basics
If you're not sure where to begin, these are the four things worth understanding before you write anything down.
What a will actually does. It names who receives what, appoints the executor who carries it out, and records your wishes about guardianship of young children. Without one, a statutory formula decides all of that instead.
Two witnesses, both present at the same time. This single rule causes more failed homemade wills than anything else. They must watch you sign, and they should not be beneficiaries.
The residue clause matters more than the specific gifts. Most homemade wills list a few items and never say who gets everything else. Whatever is left over is distributed as though there were no will at all.
State law governs your will. The core requirements are similar across Australia, but who inherits without a will differs materially between states. See will requirements by state.
By state and territory
Wills are governed by state and territory legislation, so the specifics depend on where you live. We cover all eight jurisdictions:
Guides explain the rules. Our case notes show what happens when those rules are tested — recent Australian judgments about contested wills, family provision claims and homemade documents, each explained in plain English. They are the clearest illustration of why the details in these guides matter.
General information, not legal advice. These guides explain Australian wills law in general terms. They cannot account for your circumstances. If your situation involves a blended family, a business, a trust, property in more than one state, or a family member who may contest, get advice specific to you.