Every adult should have a will. Even if you don’t have many assets, it is still important to name someone to manage your estate and if you have dependent children, to say who you want to look after them if you die before they become adults.

If you don’t have a will your assets are distributed on the basis set out in the Administration Act. For example, if you have a spouse or partner and children, your spouse or partner will get your personal chattels, the first $155,000 and 1/3rd of the balance; with your children sharing the remaining 2/3rds equally. It doesn’t matter that this is not what you might have wanted. However, if you do decide to make a will, make sure you get some advice so that your will works the way you intend. In a recent High Court case (Hita v Hita), where a father left his entire estate to 1 of his 5 children, the judge commented that: