Online Wills – pros and cons in Victoria

If you are thinking about making a Will but are unsure whether to see a lawyer or do it yourself, this article is for you. As the only state government-backed organisation of our kind, State Trustees has helped many Victorians gain peace of mind by putting in place a legally valid Will.

There are two main ways to do this. You can work with a provider such as State Trustees or a private lawyer, or you can choose to create an Online Will  yourself. Each option has its own advantages and considerations. The right approach will depend on your personal circumstances.

In this article, we set out the pros and cons of creating an Online Will in Victoria so you can make an informed decision. If you are still unsure, we are here to provide impartial guidance, so please feel free to contact us.

Let’s look at the general advantages and disadvantages of setting up an Online Will. Remember, however, that everyone is different so not all of these might apply to your circumstances.

Interested in learning more? Choose the will writing service that’s right for you.

If you’re thinking about using a DIY Online Will kit with a provider that is not State Trustees, please be aware of additional risks. Some potential pitfalls you need to watch out for include:

• Signing errors – We ensure the document is signed as per the legal requirements. If you’re DIYing, you need to be aware of who is a valid signatory and witness.
• Risk of unclear wording – Some standard templates are not clearly structured enough and may not withstand scrutiny if challenged.
• No assessment of capacity – Some providers do not verify legal capacity, which may increase the risk of a challenge later.
• Storage risks – If the signed original cannot be located after death, this may delay probate through the Supreme Court of Victoria.

So, if you’re still considering an Online Will and would like to use our services, please continue reading for more information.

Do your circumstances tick the following boxes? If so, then making your own DIY Will online could be a great option.

✅You’re either single, married with few complex assets, or wish for your assets to be distributed in a very straightforward manner.

✅You don’t have a lot of budget to allocate to this task – you need to do it as economically as possible.

✅For whatever reason, you need to set up a Will fast.

✅Your guardianship needs and wishes are simple and the people you want to care for your children have already agreed.

✅You actually already have an Online Will and just need to update it.

So you didn’t manage to tick many of the above boxes? That probably means you need professional assistance. If any of the below applies to you, we recommend contacting our team to book an appointment with our professional Will Writers.

✅You belong to a blended family.

✅Your assets are complicated.

✅You’re worried that family members might challenge your Online Will or create disputes with other family members about it.

✅You have dependents with special needs.

✅The way you want to distribute your assets is complicated. EG – you want to place particular caveats on certain gifts.

If you’re now confident an Online Will is for you, just be sure to avoid some common mistakes, including:

❌Making errors with your personal details

❌Putting someone down as an Executor when they’re unwilling or you haven’t even asked them

❌Not speaking to your children’s guardian beforehand

❌Forgetting to list some of your assets

❌Not dating the Online Will

❌Not following the rules for selecting signatories

❌Not storing your Online Will

Doing any of these can put your Online Wil in jeopardy eight common mistakes when making a Will.

Choosing where to create your Online Will is just as important as deciding to make one. With State Trustees, you are working with a long-standing Victorian organisation that understands local law and community expectations. Our Online Will option is structured to guide you clearly through the process while keeping Victorian legal requirements front of mind. If your situation changes or you would prefer additional support, you can move seamlessly from an online service to personalised assistance with the same trusted provider.