Willfully - Lawyer Reviewed Wills for Australians

Fifteen minutes. It’s just enough time to make a cup of tea, scroll through your social feed, or get stuck on hold. We usually write off these little blocks of time as pretty insignificant. So, the idea of doing something as big as writing your last will and testament in that same window might sound a bit far-fetched.

Let’s be honest, creating a will often feels like a task for “later.” It seems complicated, expensive, and maybe even a little morbid, so it gets shoved to the bottom of the to-do list. But here’s the thing: not having a will can leave the people you care about most with a real mess of stress, confusion, and legal headaches during an already tough time.

The good news is, estate planning has had a serious glow-up. With a platform like Willfully, you can create a proper, legally-sound 15 minute will online, without ever having to set foot in a lawyer’s stuffy office. This guide will show you exactly how it works.

What you'll need to get started

One of the best parts about making your will online is how little prep you have to do. You can forget about digging up stacks of old paperwork or blocking out a whole afternoon. To get going with Willfully, you really only need three things:

A laptop, tablet, or phone with an internet connection.
About 15 to 20 minutes where you won't be interrupted.
A rough idea of your main assets (like your house or savings account) and who you’d like to have them.

And don't stress if you don't have every single detail mapped out. The platform is designed to walk you through each decision, one step at a time. No guesswork needed.

How to create your will in 6 simple steps

Here’s a look at how straightforward it is to create your legally-binding will with Willfully. The whole experience is built to be intuitive, asking simple questions instead of throwing complicated legal terms at you.

Step 1: Create your secure account and answer some basic questions

First up, you’ll make an account on the Willfully platform. We know you’re entering sensitive information, so right from the start, everything is protected with top-tier security to keep your personal data private.

Once you’re in, the platform will guide you through some simple questions about yourself, like your full name, address, and marital status. This info lays the groundwork for your will and confirms you’re the testator (that’s just the official term for the person making the will). It feels less like you’re filling out a stuffy legal form and more like you’re just having a quiet chat.

Step 2: Appoint your executor and guardians

Next, you’ll need to think about who you trust to see your wishes through. This is a big decision, but the platform makes it easy to understand.

Your Executor: This is the person (or people) you put in charge of your estate after you’re gone. Their job is to make sure your instructions are followed, from handing out assets to paying off any final bills. Willfully lets you name a main executor and a backup, just in case your first choice can’t take on the role for any reason.
Guardians for Your Kids: If you have children under 18, this is easily the most important decision you'll make in your will. Here, you’ll name a guardian (and a backup) who you want to care for them. Making this choice yourself provides a safety net and removes any uncertainty about their future.

Pro Tip: It’s a really good idea to have a conversation with the people you want to appoint as executors or guardians before you put their names down. You’ll want to make sure they understand what the role involves and that they’re comfortable accepting the responsibility.

Step 3: Specify your beneficiaries and gifts

This is the part where you outline how your assets should be distributed. Willfully keeps this process really clear and gives you plenty of flexibility. You can:

Leave specific gifts: Is there a family heirloom you want your sibling to have, or a piece of art you want to go to a dear friend? You can list out specific items and who should get them.
Divide up everything else: What about the rest of your estate? This is called your "residual estate", it’s everything that’s left after any debts are paid and specific gifts are handed out. You can split it by percentage among the people you choose, like your partner, kids, or other relatives.
Support a cause you believe in: Willfully also makes it simple to leave a gift to a charity. It's a wonderful way to let your legacy make a positive difference for a cause that’s close to your heart.

The platform guides you to make your instructions crystal clear, which helps prevent any confusion or arguments down the line.

Step 4: Add your final wishes and other instructions

A will isn't just about money and property. It’s also a place to outline other important wishes. Willfully has a section for you to note down your preferences for your funeral arrangements. You can specify whether you’d prefer a burial or cremation or if you have any particular requests for a service. Taking a moment to write this down can lift a heavy burden from your family, who won’t have to guess what you would have wanted.

You can also make plans for your pets. This ensures your furry (or feathered) friends are looked after by someone you know and trust. The platform helps you understand which requests are legally binding and which are simply expressions of your wishes, so you know exactly how your instructions will be treated.

Step 5: Submit your draft for an expert lawyer review

This step is a huge deal, and it’s what really separates Willfully from a generic DIY template you’d find online. After you’ve answered all the questions, your will isn't just spat out by a machine. Instead, it gets sent to a qualified Australian lawyer for a proper review.

The lawyer goes through the document to check for any inconsistencies, confusing language, or legal slip-ups. They make sure it accurately captures what you want and ticks all the necessary legal boxes. This expert check provides genuine peace of mind, giving you the confidence that your will is solid and will actually work when it’s needed. It’s the perfect mix of online convenience and real legal expertise.

Step 6: Print, sign, and store your will the right way

Once the lawyer gives it the green light, you’ll get your final will. To make it official and legally binding, there are a few formal steps you have to take. The law requires you to print the document and sign it with two adult witnesses physically present. A crucial rule is that your witnesses can't be people who will inherit anything in your will. They then have to sign it in front of you and each other.

It might sound a bit old-fashioned, but it’s a key step to prevent fraud. Willfully gives you clear, easy-to-follow instructions on how to do this correctly. After it's all signed, store the physical copy somewhere safe where your executor will be able to find it. Willfully also gives you secure digital storage, so you’ve always got a backup copy ready.

The importance of a lawyer review

It can be tempting to just download a free template and call it a day, but those options come with some serious risks. Estate law has a lot of tricky details, and a tiny mistake, like using the wrong wording or having your witnesses sign incorrectly, can make the whole document invalid. If that happens, your will could be challenged in court, creating the exact kind of family drama and stress you were trying to prevent.

That’s why getting a lawyer to review it is so important. It turns your 15 minute will from a simple piece of paper into a legally-strong plan for your family. The expert review included with every Willfully will ensures your wishes are locked in, legally enforceable, and ready to protect your legacy.

Don't forget to keep your will up to date

A will isn't something you do once and then forget about forever. Life is always changing, and your will should be able to change with it. It’s smart to pull it out and review it every few years, or after any big life event, like:

Getting married or divorced
Welcoming a new child to the family
Buying a house or another major asset
If something changes in your relationship with a beneficiary or executor

Willfully gets this, which is why every will comes with 12 months of free, unlimited updates. This means you can easily log back in and make tweaks as your life evolves, keeping your will perfectly aligned with your current wishes at no extra cost.

Protect your loved ones today

Creating a will is one of the most thoughtful and important things you can do for your family. It provides clarity when things are confusing, prevents potential disagreements, and makes sure the people you love are looked after just how you want them to be. Thanks to platforms like Willfully, this vital task is no longer some huge, intimidating project. In about 15 minutes, you can have a legally-reviewed will sorted, giving you the lasting peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve got it handled.

Get your will done in the next 15 minutes

Ready to protect your family and lock in your legacy? There’s no reason to put it off. Start creating your legally-binding will with Willfully today and get it checked by a qualified lawyer for complete confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 15 minute will created online through Willfully truly legally binding in Australia?

Yes, absolutely. When you create a will through Willfully, it is reviewed by a qualified Australian lawyer to ensure it meets all legal requirements. Once printed, properly signed, and witnessed according to the instructions, it becomes a legally binding document.

How can I be sure that a 15 minute will generated online will accurately reflect my wishes?

The Willfully platform guides you through a series of clear, simple questions that cover all essential aspects of your estate planning. This structured approach ensures all your intentions regarding assets, beneficiaries, and other wishes are precisely captured. Furthermore, a lawyer's review confirms the document accurately translates your input into legally sound language.

What makes the lawyer review so crucial for a 15 minute will created using an online platform?

The lawyer review is vital because it provides an expert check for legal consistency, accuracy, and compliance with Australian estate law. This ensures your will is free from ambiguities or errors that could render it invalid or open to challenge. It transforms an online draft into a robust, legally enforceable document.

Can I update my 15 minute will easily if my life circumstances change after creating it?

Yes, Willfully understands that life changes, which is why every will comes with 12 months of free, unlimited updates. You can simply log back into your account and make any necessary adjustments to ensure your will always reflects your current wishes and circumstances.

What practical steps are involved after I've completed my 15 minute will online and it's been reviewed?

After the lawyer review, you will receive your final will to print. The crucial next step is to physically sign it in the presence of two adult witnesses who are not beneficiaries, and they must then sign it in front of you and each other. Willfully provides clear instructions to guide you through this process correctly.

Does creating a 15 minute will online mean I sacrifice personalised advice or complex estate planning options?

While designed for efficiency, Willfully allows for significant personalisation, including specific gifts, residual estate division, and guardian appointments. The integrated lawyer review ensures your personalised choices are legally sound. For extremely complex estate situations, seeking direct consultation with a lawyer might be beneficial, but for most individuals, the online platform covers their needs comprehensively.