Worried you’ll get halfway through and get stuck?
DYOdocs walks you through every step in plain English. Save and come back whenever. Take as long as you need.
- ✓ 30 days to make changes. Re-open your questionnaire and change anything within 30 days of paying — free. See our Terms of Service.
You can save and return
Your answers are stored securely. Come back tomorrow, next week, or whenever — you pick up exactly where you left off.
Drafted by an Auckland law firm
DYOdocs documents are built on templates drafted by Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers Limited — over 50 years of NZ trust and estate practice behind every clause.
30 days to make changes
Spotted a mistake or changed your mind? Re-open your questionnaire and change anything within 30 days of paying — free. Details in our Terms of Service.
Five steps, at your own pace
You don’t need to finish in one sitting. You don’t need to know the legal words. You just answer questions about your life.
Step 1
Choose what you need
Pick a complete estate plan bundle, or just one document. Wills from $60. Complete estate plans from $172 per person.
Step 2
Answer plain-English questions
The questionnaire asks about your life, not the law. “Who inherits your home?” — not “name the beneficiary of the residuary estate.”
Step 3
Review, then pay and download
Review every answer you’ve given before you pay — change anything you want, as many times as you want. When you’re ready, pay and download with a completion summary and full signing instructions.
Step 4
Sign your documents
Follow the signing instructions that come with every document. You can sign yourself with two witnesses.
Optional next step
Add an EPA from RHL Bespoke
Need Enduring Powers of Attorney? EPAs require in-person witnessing by a practising lawyer or legal executive under NZ law — available as Bespoke documents from Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers Limited.
Two paths. You choose.
Most people can handle their will and estate plan themselves. Some prefer a lawyer to do it with them. Both paths end with the same quality of document.
Path 1: Do It Yourself
Complete the DYOdocs questionnaire online, at your own pace. Preview before you pay. Download your documents with plain-English signing instructions. Best for straightforward situations.
Path 2: With Legal Advice
Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers Limited prepares your documents with professional legal advice and in-person signing at their Albany offices. Best for complex estates, blended families, or trusts.
Optional Add-Ons
One small add-on for your DYOdocs documents.
-
Print & Courier — $26.50 / $38 couple
Professional printing and delivery to your door.
-
Need a lawyer-prepared document? — Ross Holmes Lawyers
For Bespoke Wills, EPAs, witnessing, or any complex matter, RHL is the bespoke channel.
Questions people actually ask
The ones that stop people from starting — answered honestly.
Is DYOdocs a law firm?
No. DYOdocs is a self-service document-creation platform. The documents are drafted the way an Auckland law firm drafts them — because every template comes from Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers Limited, who have practised NZ estate law since 1973. But DYOdocs itself doesn’t give legal advice. If your situation needs advice, choose a Bespoke document from Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers Limited instead.
Can I save my progress?
Yes. Create a free account and your answers are stored securely. Come back in an hour, a week, or a year — you pick up exactly where you left off.
Can I review my answers before I pay?
Yes. The questionnaire lets you review every answer you’ve given before payment, and change anything you want, as many times as you want. The full document itself is generated and delivered after payment, with a completion summary so you can see exactly what’s in it.
What if I make a mistake?
You can change any answer at any time before you pay. After you’ve paid and downloaded, if you realise something is wrong — for any reason — you can re-open your questionnaire in Gavel and change anything within 30 days of payment, free of charge. See our Terms of Service for the details.
Is my data secure?
Yes. Your information is encrypted both while it’s being sent and while it’s stored. Only you, and DYOdocs staff acting on your behalf, can access it. See our Privacy Policy for the details.
Do EPAs need to be witnessed?
Yes. Under NZ law, an Enduring Power of Attorney must be witnessed in person by a practising lawyer or legal executive — Zoom witnessing is not valid for EPAs. EPAs are not available as a self-service DYOdocs document for that reason. They are available as Bespoke documents from Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers Limited, and the EPA price includes the cost of witnessing the donor’s signature at RHL’s Albany offices.
What’s the difference between Online and Bespoke?
Online documents are self-service: you answer the questionnaire, pay, download, and sign. Bespoke documents are prepared by a lawyer at Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers Limited — suited for complex situations, blended families, business interests, or where you want a lawyer’s judgement applied to the drafting. Bespoke costs more because lawyer time is involved. The choice is yours.
What if I want EPAs?
EPAs are not available as Online documents because NZ law requires the donor’s signature to be witnessed in person by a practising lawyer or legal executive. EPAs are available as Bespoke documents from Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers Limited — $300 per person for one EPA, $600 for both Property and Welfare combined. The price includes witnessing at RHL’s Albany offices.
What if I die before I’ve signed my will?
An unsigned will has no legal effect. That’s why every DYOdocs Online Will comes with clear signing instructions and a reminder to complete the signing step. A will is signed in front of two witnesses; the witnesses don’t need to be lawyers. Don’t leave it on your kitchen table for weeks — sign it, store it safely, and tell someone where it is.
What if my circumstances change after I’ve signed?
A will or estate plan should be reviewed every few years — and straight away after marriage, separation, the birth of a child, buying or selling a home, or a death in the family. Your DYOdocs account keeps your answers on file, so making a new version is faster the second time around.
Can I talk to a lawyer if I get stuck?
DYOdocs is fully self-service — you don’t talk to a lawyer through DYOdocs. If you want lawyer involvement, choose a Bespoke document from Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers Limited instead. Switching channels is one click.
What if I’m not satisfied?
Re-open your questionnaire in Gavel and change anything within 30 days of payment — free of charge. See our Terms of Service for the details.
Not sure where to start?
Take our free 2-minute assessment and instantly see which documents you need for your situation.
Two paths. You choose.
Most people can handle their will and estate plan themselves. Some prefer a lawyer to do it with them. Both paths end with the same quality of document.
Path 1: Do It Yourself
Complete the DYOdocs questionnaire online, at your own pace. Preview before you pay. Download your documents with plain-English signing instructions. Best for straightforward situations.
Path 2: With Legal Advice
Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers Limited prepares your documents with professional legal advice and in-person signing at their Albany offices. Best for complex estates, blended families, or trusts.
How we compare to Public Trust
Four tiers of will, two ways to get each one. Our online wills compared with theirs. Our lawyer-drafted wills compared with theirs. Same complexity, fairer prices.
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
Simple Online Will Ours — DYOdocs | $60 $120 couple |
Basic Online Will Theirs — Public Trust | $69 single only |
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
Simple Bespoke Will Ours — RHL | $300 $600 couple |
In-Centre Will Theirs — Public Trust | $750 $1,400 couple |
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
Family Online Will Ours — DYOdocs | $90 $150 couple |
Standard Online Will Theirs — Public Trust | $99 $165 mirror |
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
Family Bespoke Will Ours — RHL | $500 $1,000 couple |
In-Centre Will Theirs — Public Trust | $750 $1,400 couple |
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
Custom Online Will Ours — DYOdocs | $150 $240 couple |
Comprehensive Online Will Theirs — Public Trust | $159 $271 mirror |
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
Custom Bespoke Will Ours — RHL | $700 $1,300 couple |
In-Centre Will Theirs — Public Trust | $750 $1,400 couple |
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
DYOdocs Not offered online | — |
Public Trust Not offered online | — |
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
Specialist Bespoke Will Ours — RHL | from $750 from $1,400 couple |
In-Centre Will Theirs — Public Trust (flat) | $750 $1,400 couple |
What the comparison reveals
Online vs Online
- Cheaper at every online tier. DYOdocs undercuts PT on single-price across Simple, Family, and Custom.
- Couple pricing at Simple tier. PT doesn’t offer Simple as a couple product. We do, at $120.
- Māori land and farm succession included at Custom. PT doesn’t offer either online at any price.
Lawyer-drafted vs In-Centre
- PT charges $750 flat for every In-Centre will. Regardless of complexity.
- Simple estate? PT $750. RHL $300. You save 60%.
- Family estate? PT $750. RHL $500. You save 33%.
- Custom needs? PT $750. RHL $700. Still cheaper, and drafted by a lawyer who contributes to LexisNexis’ Law of Trusts.
“Public Trust charges $750 flat for every In-Centre will — even simple ones. Ross Holmes Lawyers charges only for the complexity you actually have. Starting at $300.”
What’s actually in each will?
Not just price — the legal provisions that make a will stand up when it matters. Line-by-line at each DYOdocs online tier, compared with Public Trust’s equivalent.
← Scroll sideways to see all columns →
| Provision | DYOdocs Simple$60 | PT Basic$69 | DYOdocs Family$90 | PT Standard$99 | DYOdocs Custom$150 | PT Compr.$159 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core will provisions | ||||||
| Unlimited edits for 30 days | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Choose executors / trustees | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Backup executors | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
| Leave estate to partner / others equally | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Or leave estate to trust (pour-over will) | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
| Leave estate to children / others equally | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child’s share goes to their children if they die first | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
| Information about children | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Burial or cremation wishes | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
| Special signature provisions (disability) | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
| Family & dependants (Family tier and up) | ||||||
| Detailed trustee powers | — | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
| Guardians for children under 18 | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specific gifts / bequests | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Provisions for pets | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Contemplation of marriage / civil union | — | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
| Exclude Māori land | — | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
| Complex estates (Custom tier only) | ||||||
| Children from previous relationships | — | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blended family provisions | — | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Include / exclude overseas assets | — | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rights to occupy / life interest (one beneficiary) | — | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Uneven shares between beneficiaries | — | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Include your family trust | — | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Business owner provisions | — | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Separation / divorce cover | — | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Farm succession provisions | — | — | — | — | ✓ | — |
| Include / exclude Māori land | — | — | — | — | ✓ | — |
| Beneficiary protection clauses | — | — | — | — | ✓ | — |
| Disabled beneficiary provisions | — | — | — | — | ✓ | — |
| Excluded beneficiaries clause | — | — | — | — | ✓ | — |
| Specialist-only (RHL Bespoke, not available online) | ||||||
| Pacific Islands will validity provisions | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Additional wills for Australian / Pacific Islands assets | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Testamentary trust creation | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Leave estate to 2 or more trusts | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Charitable remainder trusts / charitable gifts with conditions | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| No contest provisions | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Add-on pricing (optional at any tier) | ||||||
| Statement of Wishes | +$43 | +$45 | +$43 | +$45 | +$43 | +$45 |
| Expert Review (lawyer checks your will) | +$96 | +$98 | +$118 | +$120 | +$151 | +$153 |
| Witnessing (in-person or Zoom) | +$66 | +$68 in-person only | +$66 | +$68 in-person only | +$66 | +$68 in-person only |
★ = a provision we include that Public Trust does not offer at this tier. Specialist-only provisions are available through RHL Bespoke (from $750) and are not offered online by either provider.
Questions people actually ask
The ones that stop people from starting — answered honestly.
Is DYOdocs a law firm?
No. DYOdocs is a document-creation platform. The documents are drafted the way an Auckland law firm drafts them — because every template comes from Ross Holmes Virtual Lawyers Limited, who have practised NZ estate law since 1973. But DYOdocs itself doesn’t give legal advice. If your situation needs advice, Path 2 is for you.
Can I save my progress?
Yes. Create a free account and your answers are stored securely. Come back in an hour, a week, or a year — you pick up exactly where you left off.
Can I preview the document before I pay?
Yes. Once you’ve answered enough questions, you see a watermarked preview of your document. If something’s wrong or you changed your mind, go back, change your answers, and preview again. You only pay when you’re happy.
What if I make a mistake?
You can change any answer at any time before you pay. After you’ve paid and downloaded, if you realise something is wrong, contact us — small corrections are handled free of charge within 30 days. Larger changes can be made by updating the questionnaire and regenerating the document.
Is my data secure?
Yes. Your information is encrypted both while it’s being sent and while it’s stored. Only you, and DYOdocs staff acting on your behalf, can access it. See our Privacy Policy for the details.
Do EPAs need to be witnessed?
Yes. Under NZ law, an Enduring Power of Attorney must be witnessed in person by a practising lawyer or legal executive — Zoom witnessing is not valid for EPAs. EPA prices don’t include the cost of witnessing. You can add our in-person witnessing service for $57.50 per document.
What if I die before I’ve signed my will?
An unsigned will has no legal effect. That’s why the questionnaire ends with clear signing instructions and why we’ll remind you if you haven’t completed the signing step. If you want the peace of mind of witnessing booked in advance, use our witnessing service or Path 2.
What if my circumstances change after I’ve signed?
A will, EPA, or estate plan should be reviewed every few years — and straight away after marriage, separation, the birth of a child, buying or selling a home, or a death in the family. Your DYOdocs account keeps your answers on file, so making a new version is faster the second time around.
Can I talk to a lawyer if I get stuck?
Yes. You can switch from Path 1 to Path 2 at any time. Or you can stay on Path 1 and add an Expert Review — a Ross Holmes lawyer checks and corrects your document for $86.25. You’re never stuck.
What if I’m not satisfied?
Contact us within 30 days and we’ll work with you to put it right, or provide a refund. Our goal is documents you’re confident about — not just paid invoices.
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