DIY will kits vs using a lawyer in SA
Will kits are cheap and fast. Lawyer-drafted wills are neither, but they're usually the cheaper option in the long run.
DIY will kits save money upfront but cost families meaningfully more when things go wrong. For simple estates with no complications, the kit might work. For anything else, a lawyer-drafted will is almost always cheaper in the long run.
What will kits cover
Typical will kits provide a template will form, instructions on witnessing, and sometimes basic guides on executor appointments and guardianship. The cost is usually $50 to $200.
Where kits fall short
They don't know your family
A kit can't identify that your second marriage creates blended-family complications. It can't see that your adult child's divorce will expose inherited assets to claim. It can't suggest a testamentary trust for your grandchildren.
No substitute beneficiary drafting
Most kits offer a simple beneficiary field. They rarely prompt you to name substitutes, which creates problems when named beneficiaries die first or renounce.
Superannuation isn't addressed
Super is usually the second-largest asset people own. Kits don't discuss binding death benefit nominations or how super should coordinate with the will. Many DIY testators don't realise super is separate.
No legal safe harbour
A lawyer-drafted will, witnessed by the lawyer, provides a layer of evidence about capacity and lack of undue influence. A DIY will signed at home doesn't have that layer – which matters if the will is contested.
Real costs when DIY wills fail
When a DIY will creates ambiguity, the cost of court applications or family disputes can run into tens of thousands of dollars. Contested estates in South Australia routinely cost $50,000+ to resolve – almost always traceable to drafting issues a lawyer would have caught.
When a kit might still make sense
Very simple situations with no dependents, no property, no business interests, and no likely family disputes. Even then, many lawyers offer fixed fees for simple wills that are competitive with kit prices once you add up witnessing and storage.
Summary
For most families, the question isn't whether to DIY or use a lawyer – it's whether to pay a small fixed fee now, or pay much more when things go wrong. We'd rather explain the trade-offs in a free 20-minute call than have you learn them the hard way.
Talk to Sam about your situation
If this article raised questions for your own circumstances, Sam Michele offers free 20-minute initial consultations. Learn more about our wills service, or book a consultation.
Related reading
- Can you write your own will in Australia?
- How much does a will cost in Adelaide?
- Wills – our approach
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Estate planning is deeply personal - every family's circumstances are different. For advice specific to your situation, please contact Rosewood Succession Solicitors.