Complex Wills (2026) (On Demand)

This On Demand was recorded 30 June 2026.

Many clients believe they need a ‘simple will’, yet the underlying complexity of their personal and financial circumstances is often far greater than they appreciate. Modern estate planning increasingly involves intricate asset structures, cross-jurisdictional issues, blended families and clients entering new relationships later in life, all of which demand careful advisory work and sophisticated drafting.

These challenges are compounded by an increasingly litigious environment, where wills must be robust enough to withstand close judicial scrutiny. This On Demand examines the realities of drafting complex wills, focusing on identifying hidden complexity at an early stage, managing client expectations, and ensuring testamentary documents accurately reflect client intentions while minimising the risk of dispute.

Learning Outcomes

By completing this session, you will:

Recognise and analyse indicators of complexity in will drafting, including blended family arrangements and later life relationships, and complex asset holdings.
Conduct effective client interviews and discussions to uncover, explain, and document complex testamentary issues and client intentions.

Who Should Watch?

This On Demand is ideal for general as well as family, trust and estate practitioners including legal executives and civil litigators and those wishing to make estate planning and administration a larger part of their practice.

Presenter

Ashleigh Watt | Principal, Simpson Western

Ashleigh Watt

Ashleigh is a principal in the private client team and specialises in estate planning and asset protection, trust structuring, elder law and manages the firm's estate administration practice.

Ashleigh brings specialist knowledge to structuring her client’s affairs. Her experience in the administration of complex and high net worth estates allows her to provide thoughtful and comprehensive advice tailored to each client’s specific needs. Ashleigh began her career at one of New Zealand’s premier law firms in the city, advising clients on a wide range of property matters as well as estate planning and asset protection.

Prior to joining our team, Ashleigh spent a year with the Crown Solicitor at Auckland and then as a general practitioner at a boutique firm in Newmarket. This breadth of experience enables Ashleigh to provide the required in-depth and pragmatic advice that clients need to navigate and implement bespoke legal solutions to achieve their goals.

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Details

CPD Hours: 1.50hr

Pricing Details

Ticket Price

Member: $160 plus GST
Non-Member: $230 plus GST