Estate planning has traditionally been a process handled by lawyers in face-to-face meetings, but a growing number of Australians are turning to digital will services as a more convenient and cost-effective alternative.
This shift reflects broader technological advancements and changing consumer expectations around accessibility and affordability.
To explore this shift, we spoke with David Kaplan, a lawyer at the online estate planning website Willed.com.au, who highlighted key reasons behind the rise of online wills.
The Rise of Online Wills in Australia
One of the main drivers behind the popularity of online wills in Australia is accessibility. “Many Australians find the traditional estate planning process time-consuming and costly,” Kaplan explains. The stats back him up. According to research carried out by Willed, an average of 52% of Australians die without having written a will.
According to Kaplan, that was one of the co-founding team’s major motivations. “Online services provide a streamlined alternative, allowing people to create a legally valid will from the comfort of their home.”
Platforms like Willed guide users through the process step by step, ensuring that their documents meet legal requirements. While a will still needs to be signed and witnessed in accordance with state laws, digital platforms make the drafting process significantly easier.
Cost is another factor driving adoption. “Hiring an estate lawyer can be expensive, and for people with straightforward estates, an online will service offers a much more affordable option,” Kaplan says. “It bridges the gap between doing nothing and hiring a lawyer, ensuring that more Australians have a legally binding will in place.”
Legal Challenges and Consumer Trust
Despite their benefits, online will writing services still face skepticism. Some Australians question their legal validity and worry about security.
However, Kaplan reassures users that these concerns are largely unfounded. “As long as the will is properly signed and witnessed, it holds the same legal weight as one drafted by a lawyer,” she says. “Platforms like ours also use encryption and secure storage methods to protect user data.”
Public trust in digital solutions is growing, especially as more people become comfortable managing other aspects of their financial and legal affairs online. “We’ve seen a significant rise in adoption over the last few years,” Kaplan pointed out. “As people experience the ease and affordability of online wills, they realize it’s a practical solution.”
Looking Ahead
As technology continues to shape the legal landscape, the demand for accessible, affordable estate planning solutions will likely grow. Australia’s success with online wills provides a roadmap for how other countries can modernise their own estate planning industry while maintaining legal safeguards.
“The key is making estate planning simple and affordable for everyone. Online wills are just one way to achieve that, but they’re an important step forward.”
