Why You Should Make a Will Before You Travel Overseas

Passports, itineraries, and travel insurance usually top the pre-trip checklist. Your Will rarely does. Yet creating or updating a Will before you travel is one of the most important ways to safeguard your loved ones and assets while you’re away. If something unexpected happens overseas, having a valid Will means your affairs can be managed smoothly, without placing extra pressure on your family.

The Forgotten Travel Essential

When most Australians plan a trip overseas, they organise passports, accommodation, activities, and travel insurance. Very few stop to check whether their Will is up to date. That gap can become a major stress point if an emergency happens.

• A Will makes sure the right people receive your assets.
• It appoints a trusted executor to manage your affairs.
• It reduces the risk of court delays or interstate complications.

Think of it this way: your travel insurance protects your belongings — your Will protects your loved ones.

Why Travellers Need a Will More Than Ever

Australians are travelling in record numbers again, but more than half still do not have a valid Will. Travelling increases your exposure to risks such as accidents, illness, or even being unreachable when something happens at home.

A Will is not reserved for the elderly or wealthy. It is a simple document that tells your family (and the courts) exactly how to manage your estate — from savings and superannuation to digital accounts and sentimental items. Without it, default state laws control the process, often in ways that do not match your wishes.

Common Scenarios that Make a Will Essential Before Travelling

Some situations call for a Will more than others. If any of these sound like you, set aside time before you leave:

• Couples travelling together: Make sure each partner’s assets flow to the right person if one (or both) of you doesn’t make it home. A Will also lets you leave instructions if you pass away together.
• Parents travelling without children: Nominate guardians so you decide who looks after your kids instead of leaving that decision to the courts.
• Solo travellers: Without a Will, distant relatives or the Public Trustee may be tasked with sorting your estate. A Will makes the process clear and avoids delays.
• Expats and working holidays: When you split your time between countries, a Will clarifies how both Australian and overseas assets should be distributed.
• Adventure or high-risk travel: Visiting destinations with travel advisories, remote trekking, winter sports, or adrenaline holidays increases the chance of serious injury. A Will ensures your family isn’t left navigating legal red tape while dealing with emergency logistics abroad. Before you depart, review the latest travel advisories on Smartraveller so you understand the risks and local requirements.

A Will is not a pessimistic move—it’s protection against real-world travel risks. Once it’s in place, you can focus on the adventure.

Can You Make or Update Your Will While Overseas?

Absolutely. With Will Hero you can start, update, and download your Will from anywhere in the world. Our online platform:

• Tailors your Will to your home state’s legal requirements.
• Lets you save progress and finish later — ideal if you run out of time before your flight.
• Enables you to re-download the document whenever you need it.

You can begin your Will before take-off and finish it mid-trip if needed. Once you’re ready to sign, simply print it and sign with two independent witnesses. If you have appropriate witnesses overseas, you can sign while travelling; otherwise, finalise it when you return home.

What Happens If You Travel Without a Will?

If you pass away without a Will (known as dying intestate), your estate is distributed according to state legislation rather than your personal wishes. This can create:

• Delays in appointing an administrator.
• Disputes between family members who must interpret local laws.
• Challenges if some relatives live overseas or interstate.

A Will ensures your executors have clear instructions and the legal authority to act quickly. If you want a deeper dive into intestacy rules, read our guide on what happens if you pass away without a Will in Australia.

Start Your Will Now

Planning Domestic Trips? Your Will Still Matters

Even if you’re travelling interstate for work or a long holiday, you may be away from home for extended periods. Your Will remains valid across every Australian state and territory, but witnessing rules and executor requirements can differ. Will Hero automatically adapts your document so it meets your home state’s regulations, giving you peace of mind wherever you are.

Explore our state-specific guides for a deeper dive:

Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales

Northern Territory

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

What to Include in a Travel-Ready Will

Executors

Name someone you trust to handle your estate while you are overseas.

Guardians

If you have children or dependants, appoint temporary or long-term guardians.

Specific Gifts & Residual Estate

Distribute your assets according to your wishes — from sentimental items and travel funds to the remainder of your estate.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Your Will Before You Travel

1. Visit willhero.com.au and start for free.
2. Answer simple guided questions about your assets, executors, and guardians.
3. Add any specific gifts or instructions, especially for assets you manage while overseas.
4. Download your Will and sign it with two adult witnesses (either before you leave or when you return).
5. Store the signed copy safely and keep a secure scan with your executor or in encrypted cloud storage for quick access.

Need to make updates later? Log back in, edit your answers, and generate an updated Will whenever you need it.

Travel-Ready Checklist Before You Fly

Tick these essentials off alongside your passport and boarding pass:

Ticking off this list now can save your loved ones weeks of uncertainty later.

Travelling with Peace of Mind

Will Hero is built for Australians who need flexibility. Whether you are packing for Bali, Berlin, or a business trip in Brisbane, our platform helps you:

• Complete your Will in as little as 15 minutes.
• Securely store and re-download your documents from anywhere.
• Add Enduring Power of Attorney or Enduring Guardianship later if required.

You focus on the adventure — we’ll handle the legal peace of mind. Thousands of Australians rely on Will Hero’s guided experience to create state-compliant Wills from home, the airport, or their hotel room.

See how other Australians prepared their Will before travelling

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Travelling is about freedom and adventure — not worrying about “what ifs.” Taking 20 minutes to create or update your Will before you leave ensures your loved ones know exactly what to do, no matter where life takes you.

Why Travellers Choose Will Hero

• Work from anywhere: Our mobile-friendly platform lets you start, edit, and finish your Will on your phone, tablet, or laptop — perfect for pre-flight checklists or downtime overseas.
• State-compliant documents: Every Will is tailored to your home state or territory so your signing instructions, witnesses, and legal wording stay 100% valid.
• Visual Will and Scenario Testing: See exactly how your estate flows and test “what if” scenarios before you travel, so you leave with total clarity.
• More than a “simple will”: Add guardianship instructions, specific gifts, enduring powers of attorney, and residuary clauses in minutes with our Will Provisions Library.
• Instant access to your documents: Log into your Will Hero account to generate a fresh PDF whenever you need to reprint or share your Will while away.

Related Articles

Looking for more estate-planning help? Follow the links above, or call us on 1800 136 069 if you have any questions. We’ll be more than happy to help!