Why You Shouldn’t Put Off Writing Your Will
Every year, thousands of Australians die without a will, leaving their families to deal with legal complications, financial stress, and emotional turmoil. Yet despite knowing they should have one, most people keep putting it off.
The truth is simple: putting off writing your will is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.
Whether you’re 25 or 75, have $1,000 or $1 million in assets, having a will is essential. And with platforms like Will Hero making it easier than ever, there’s no excuse to wait.
The Real Cost of Procrastination
When you die without a will, you’re not just leaving your family without clear instructions—you’re creating a legal nightmare that can take years to resolve.
The Real Cost of Procrastination
Financial Consequences
Without a will, your estate goes through intestacy laws, which means:
- Court-appointed administrators handle your estate (not your chosen executor)
- Legal fees can eat up 5-10% of your estate value
- Delays of 12-18 months before your family sees any money
- Tax implications your family wasn’t prepared for
- Asset distribution that may not match your wishes
Emotional Toll on Your Family
The financial cost is bad enough, but the emotional damage is often worse:
- Family disputes over who gets what
- Guilt and confusion for your loved ones
- Stress during an already difficult time
- Uncertainty about your final wishes
- Potential legal battles between family members
Legal Complications
Dying intestate (without a will) creates a bureaucratic maze:
- State laws determine who gets your assets
- Your partner might not inherit everything (depending on your state)
- Children under 18 get their inheritance through court supervision
- Your business might be forced to close or sell
- Digital assets (social media, online accounts) become inaccessible
Common Excuses (And Why They’re Wrong)
Common Excuses (And Why They’re Wrong)
We’ve heard every excuse in the book. Here’s why they don’t hold up:
“I’m Too Young”
Reality: Accidents happen at any age. You’re never too young to protect your family.
- Car accidents are the leading cause of death for people under 45
- Medical emergencies can strike without warning
- If you have children, they need protection regardless of your age
- Even small estates benefit from clear instructions
”I Don’t Have Enough Assets”
Reality: You probably have more than you think.
- Bank accounts and savings
- Personal belongings with sentimental value
- Digital assets (photos, social media accounts)
- Pets that need care arrangements
- Funeral wishes and preferences
- Superannuation (often your biggest asset)
- Life insurance policies
”It’s Too Expensive”
Reality: Not having a will costs much more.
- Will Hero costs just $99 (vs $300-$1000+ for lawyers)
- Legal fees for intestacy can be $5,000-$20,000
- Court costs for family disputes
- Tax penalties from poor estate planning
- Lost time for your family dealing with bureaucracy
”It’s Too Complicated”
Reality: Will Hero makes it simple.
- 15-minute process with step-by-step guidance
- Plain English explanations (no legal jargon)
- AI assistance to answer your questions
- Professional review included
- No office visits or complicated forms
”I Don’t Know Where to Start”
Reality: We’ll guide you through every step.
- Start with basic information (name, address, beneficiaries)
- Add complexity as needed (business interests, trusts, etc.)
- Professional templates ensure nothing is missed
- Save and return anytime to complete later
- Expert support available when you need it
When You Need a Will
When You Need a Will
While everyone over 18 should have a will, certain life events make it especially urgent:
Having Children
- Appoint guardians for your children
- Ensure financial security for their future
- Protect their inheritance from mismanagement
- Specify care instructions and preferences
Buying Property
- Largest asset for most Australians
- Complex ownership arrangements
- Mortgage considerations and insurance
- Tax implications for beneficiaries
Getting Married
- Protect your partner from intestacy laws
- Ensure they inherit your assets
- Plan for blended families if applicable
- Update beneficiary designations
Starting a Business
- Business succession planning
- Protect business assets and operations
- Ensure continuity for employees and customers
- Tax-efficient transfer of ownership
Accumulating Assets
- Superannuation and life insurance
- Investment portfolios and savings
- Personal property with value
- Digital assets and online accounts
How to Overcome Procrastination
Set a Deadline
- Choose a date (your birthday, anniversary, or any meaningful date)
- Tell someone about your deadline for accountability
- Start small - just 15 minutes to begin
Get Your Family Involved
- Make it a family project - everyone needs a will
- Discuss your wishes openly with loved ones
- Appoint guardians together for children
Use Will Hero’s Guided Process
- No overwhelming forms - just simple questions
- Save your progress - come back anytime
- Get help when stuck - AI assistant and human support
Focus on the Benefits
- Peace of mind knowing your family is protected
- Control over what happens to your assets
- Relief from the constant nagging feeling
- Legacy of responsible planning
The Will Hero Solution
The Will Hero Solution
We’ve made will creation so simple that there’s no excuse to wait:
What You Get for $99
✓ Complete will document - Professionally formatted and legally valid
✓ Professional review - Expert checking of your will
✓ Free edits for 12 months - Easy updates within the first year
✓ Digital download - Immediate PDF access
✓ Printed copy - Professionally printed and mailed to your door
✓ AI assistance - Built-in intelligent guidance
✓ Phone support - Human help when you need it
✓ 30-day guarantee - Money-back guarantee if not satisfied
How It Works
- Start online - No appointments or office visits
- Answer simple questions - Guided step-by-step process
- Review your will - See exactly what you’re creating
- Print and sign - Follow legal requirements
- Store safely - Keep your will secure and accessible
Why Choose Will Hero
- Most visual platform in Australia - see your will as you create it
- AI-powered guidance - get answers to your questions
- Professional quality - same standard as lawyer-drafted wills
- Affordable pricing - 90% cheaper than traditional services
- Ongoing support - help when you need to update
State-Specific Will Requirements
Each Australian state has different laws affecting your will. Learn about requirements in your state:
- ACT - Australian Capital Territory will requirements and laws
- New South Wales - NSW will requirements and laws
- Northern Territory - NT will requirements and laws
- Queensland - QLD will requirements and laws
- South Australia - SA will requirements and laws
- Tasmania - TAS will requirements and laws
- Victoria - Victorian will requirements and laws
- Western Australia - WA will requirements and laws
Real Stories: The Consequences of Waiting
Sarah’s Story
Sarah was 32 when she died in a car accident. She had two young children but no will. Her parents and her partner’s parents fought over custody for months, while the children lived in uncertainty. The legal fees cost $15,000, and the children’s inheritance was tied up in court for over a year.
Michael’s Story
Michael owned a successful business but never made a will. When he died suddenly, his business had to close because there was no succession plan. His family lost their main source of income, and 15 employees lost their jobs.
Emma’s Story
Emma was 45 when she died unexpectedly, leaving behind a house, car, and personal belongings worth $300,000. Without a will, her estate went to her estranged brother instead of her long-term partner of 10 years. Her partner had to move out of their shared home and lost everything they’d built together, while her brother received assets he had no connection to.
Frequently Asked Questions
People procrastinate on will writing for several reasons: fear of death, feeling too young, thinking they don't have enough assets, believing it's too expensive or complicated, or simply not knowing where to start. However, these excuses often lead to bigger problems later.
If you die without a will (intestate), your estate is distributed according to state laws, which may not align with your wishes. The court appoints an administrator, and your assets go to your closest relatives in a predetermined order, which can cause delays, disputes, and unexpected outcomes.
The best time to write a will is now. You should have a will as soon as you turn 18, but it becomes especially important when you have children, buy property, get married, or accumulate significant assets. Don't wait for the 'perfect' time - it may never come.
Will Hero offers online will creation for just $99, which includes everything you need. This is significantly cheaper than traditional lawyer fees ($300-$1000+). The cost of not having a will can be much higher in terms of legal fees, delays, and family disputes.
With Will Hero, you can create a legally valid will in just 15 minutes. The process is guided step-by-step, so you won't get stuck on confusing legal forms. Most people complete their entire will in one sitting.
Yes, absolutely. You get free edits for 12 months after creating your will with Will Hero. After that, you can update your will for just $99 with another 12 months of free edits. It's much easier to update an existing will than to deal with the consequences of not having one.
The Bottom Line
Every day you wait is another day your family is unprotected.
The excuses we make today become the problems our families face tomorrow. With Will Hero, creating a will is easier, faster, and more affordable than ever before.
Don’t let procrastination become your family’s biggest regret.
Start Your Will Today
It takes just 15 minutes to protect your family’s future. Don’t wait another day.
With Will Hero’s guided process, you’ll have a legally valid will that gives you peace of mind and protects your loved ones.
Related Articles
- How to Make a Will in Less Than 12 Minutes - Quick guide to creating your will online
- The Easiest Way to Get a Will Online in Australia - Why Will Hero makes will creation simple
- Does a Spouse Automatically Inherit Everything? - Understanding inheritance laws in Australia
- How to Make a Legally Valid Will in Australia - Legal requirements and best practices
- Care for Pets in Your Will - Protecting your furry family members
- Safest Way to Store Your Will - Keeping your will secure and accessible
