Common mistakes when making a will

Make sure you state your full name and address. If you are known by more than one name, then you may include the other names to avoid confusion. The beneficiaries should also have their full legal names and addresses stated in your will. Even a spelling mistake in a will can create problems, so be sure to check everything.  

Unless you have appointed a public trustee organisation (such as State Trustees Victoria) or a licensed trustee company, it is recommended that there be a substitute executor in case the individual you have appointed (or both of the co-executors named) are unable or unwilling to act. 

It is very important to discuss your intentions, obtain consent and discuss your expectations with the prospective guardian(s). During this discussion, it’s also a good idea to share any wishes that you may have prepared. Your wishes to the guardian are generally not reflected in the will but can be documented separately.

A residuary estate clause is an important clause in the will which deals with the balance of your estate. Even if you have made specific gifts of items or money in your will, the remainder of your assets that have not been specifically mentioned or named will form what is known as your residuary estate. 

This is important to understand when determining what to include in a will. You must still state your wishes about what you want to be done with your residuary estate and how you wish for it to be distributed. 
If you wish to leave your residuary estate to multiple beneficiaries, you should specify the portion they are each to receive. For example, two siblings may each be allocated 50% of the residuary estate of their parent. 

If you own significant assets, such as a house, property or car – correctly identify whether you own this asset independently or with someone else, (for example: a spouse or business partner). 

It’s a good idea to list your assets, perhaps in categories. It might also be helpful for you to jot down an approximate value of each asset and whether there is a mortgage or loan. Use our free asset list template for wills that enables you to list your assets. 

Simple wills, such as will kits and online wills, are good for those with straightforward circumstances. Your personal circumstances may turn out to be more complicated than you first thought, or may change and become more complex over time. If you have complicated circumstances, State Trustees recommends you seek the advice of a will-writing expert.

You must sign and date the will in the presence of two witnesses for your will to be legally valid. The witnesses must be 18 years or older, and must be able to see you sign the will; however, they should not be a beneficiary or a spouse or domestic partner of a beneficiary. If these people act as witness, they or their spouse or domestic partner may be disqualified from receiving a benefit under your will due to the applicable laws in certain parts of Australia.

You’ve done a great job getting a will, now what?  

After you have signed your will, keep it in a safe place and tell your family and the executor named in the will where to find it. It is important you do not staple, pin, affix or attach any additional items (for example, personal notes, letters or documents) to your will. The reason is that it may give the impression there was another document to be included with or read in conjunction with the will, and it may make it more difficult for the will to be accepted by the court. It is also a good idea to obtain a certified copy of your will and store it separately from the original.

If you notice an error in your will, please contact State Trustees and we will be able to assist you. Contact State Trustees.  

If you make a Will and later decide that you want to make changes, you can either: 

• Add a codicil to the existing Will OR 

• Revoke the Will and write a completely new one. 

It’s often more straightforward to write a completely new will than adding a codicil as it revokes previously written wills. State Trustees can help write a completely new will. To learn more, visit State Trustees’ wills page.   

For residents of Victoria, you may choose to store your will at The Victorian Will and Powers of Attorney Registry. 

We hope this article has helped you understand and avoid some of the more common mistakes in wills.