Wills and estate documents for the Cook Islands.
Plain-English legal documents prepared under Cook Islands law — produced online, at your pace. From $60 per will.
Cook Islands estate planning
Cook Islands Estate Plan Bundles
One questionnaire. Five documents drafted together under Cook Islands law. Will, Statement of Wishes, Advance Healthcare Directive, Funeral Directive, and Digital Assets List.
Tier 1
Simple CI Will Estate Plan
Suits straightforward estates — everything to partner, then children.
- Cook Islands Simple Will
- Statement of Wishes
- Advance Healthcare Directive
- Funeral Directive
- Digital Assets & Devices List
Tier 2
Family CI Will Estate Plan
For most families — with guardians, specific gifts, or trust provisions.
- Cook Islands Family Will
- Statement of Wishes
- Advance Healthcare Directive
- Funeral Directive
- Digital Assets & Devices List
Tier 3
Custom CI Will Estate Plan
For blended families, business interests, or special provisions.
- Cook Islands Custom Will
- Statement of Wishes
- Advance Healthcare Directive
- Funeral Directive
- Digital Assets & Devices List
Multi-jurisdictional wills
A Cook Islands will, paired with another country.
Most of our Cook Islands clients also have assets in another country — New Zealand most often, sometimes Australia, sometimes another Pacific nation. Two coordinated wills, one for each country, is almost always the right answer. No resealing. Each country grants probate independently.
Cook Islands + NZ
For Cook Islands residents who hold NZ citizenship, residency, or NZ-situated assets — bank accounts, KiwiSaver, NZ property, NZ shares.
Cook Islands + Australia
For Cook Islands residents with Australian property, an Australian investment, or trans-Tasman business interests.
Cook Islands + Niue
For Cook Islands residents with assets in Niue — family connections, leases, or business interests in either jurisdiction.
Cook Islands + Sāmoa
For Cook Islands residents with assets in Sāmoa. The Sāmoa will is prepared under the Wills Act 1975 (Sāmoa) with the s 6 attesting-witness rule built in.
Cook Islands + Fiji
For Cook Islands residents with assets in Fiji. The Fiji will is prepared under the Wills Act [Cap 59] (Fiji), entirely separate from the Cook Islands framework.
Standalone documents
Or pick what you need individually
Cook Islands wills and directives, available one at a time. The bundle above is the same documents at the same total price — the choice is yours.
Cook Islands Wills
(prepared under Cook Islands law)Simple Will Cook Is
straightforward estates — everything to partner, then childrenFamily Will Cook Is
with guardians, specific gifts, or trust provisionsCustom Will Cook Is
blended families, business interests, or special provisionsStatement of Wishes
(your wishes, beyond the will)Statement of Wishes
an add-on for any Cook Islands will — guidance for your executorsDirectives & Lists
(your healthcare, funeral & digital wishes)Advance Healthcare Directive
what doctors should and shouldn't do if you can't speakFuneral Directive
what should happen when you dieDigital Assets & Devices List
logins, accounts, crypto — so family can find themNZ-situated assets?
(if you own property in New Zealand)NZ Wills, EPAs & Property Services
Cook Islands residents who hold New Zealand citizenship, residency, or NZ-situated assets may also need NZ-specific documents. NZ Wills are available through DYOdocs at the same prices shown above. NZ EPAs are available as Bespoke documents from Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers Limited — from $300 per person, including in-person witnessing at RHL's Albany offices. RHL also handles NZ residential conveyancing and title transfers remotely for Cook Islands residents.
Enquire about NZ services
Read before you start
Important information for Cook Islands residents
Three things to know before preparing your Cook Islands documents.
Cook Islands (Māori) customary land is governed by traditional practice and separate customary land legislation. It cannot pass by an ordinary will. If you have customary land, you should seek advice from a Cook Islands legal practitioner about how to address it in your estate plan. A DYOdocs will can still cover all your other assets.
There is currently no EPA legislation in the Cook Islands. The EPA product is not available for Cook Islands documents. Cook Islands residents who hold New Zealand-situated assets may purchase NZ Bespoke EPAs from Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers Limited for those NZ assets only.
Cook Islands wills are governed by the English Wills Act 1837 (as applied in the Cook Islands) and the Wills Amendment Act 1969 (Cook Islands). DYOdocs wills are prepared in compliance with these requirements, including the correct signing and witnessing instructions for the Cook Islands.
Governing legislation · Cook Islands
Cook Islands estate law in summary
- Wills: English Wills Act 1837 (as applied in the Cook Islands) · Wills Amendment Act 1969 (Cook Islands)
- Trustee administration: NZ Trustee Act 1956 (as applied in the Cook Islands, without subsequent NZ amendments)
- Estate administration / probate: NZ Administration Act 1969 (as applied in the Cook Islands, without subsequent NZ amendments)
- Capacity: Persons under 16 who have never been married cannot make a will (Wills Amendment Act 1969, s2(4))
The process
How it works
Three simple steps, from anywhere in the Cook Islands.
Step 1
Answer questions
Work through a guided questionnaire in plain English. Save and return any time.
Step 2
Review, then pay and download
Review every answer before you pay — change anything you want, as many times as you want. Pay and download your documents.
Step 3
Sign & witness
Cook Islands-specific signing and witnessing instructions are included with every document.
Questions about which document is right for you?
Contact RHL
For NZ-situated assets
Browse New Zealand categories
If you have New Zealand citizenship, residency, or NZ-situated assets, our New Zealand legal documents and services are also available to Cook Islands residents.