Why your will is about more than your assets

WILLS MONTH BLOG SERIES
Throughout September Wills Month we are sharing useful information and thought pieces from our network of member Foundations and supporters.

Arron Perriam
Director, Philanthropy & Intergenerational Wealth Craigs Investment Partners

September is Wills Month, a timely opportunity to think about one of the most important documents we will ever prepare. For many people, a will is viewed as a legal necessity, something that ensures assets are distributed according to our wishes and loved ones are provided for after we're gone.

Yet a will can be much more than that too, it’s often the final expression of what mattered most to us. It reflects our priorities, our relationships, our values, and our hopes for the future. In many ways, it answers three fundamental questions: Why do we give? How do we give? And to whom do we give?

Why Do We Give?

When I speak with families about legacy planning, very few start by talking about money. They talk about people, experiences, opportunities, and the values that shaped their lives. At its heart, giving is often an expression of gratitude, love, responsibility, or purpose.

For some, the motivation is centred on family and ensuring children and grandchildren are well positioned for the future. For others, it includes the organisations, causes, and communities that have played an important role in their lives.

Neither approach is right or wrong, and most people find their giving reflects a combination of both, and a carefully considered will allows us to translate these motivations into action.

How Do We Give?

Many New Zealanders are generous throughout their lives, supporting local charities, community groups, schools, sports clubs, arts organisations, environmental initiatives, and countless other causes. These gifts create immediate impact and strengthen the communities around us.

However, a will creates another opportunity. It allows us to make decisions free from the financial demands of everyday life and consider the longer-term impact we wish to have.

A gift in a will does not need to be large to be meaningful. Some people leave a specific dollar amount, others choose a percentage of their estate, and some establish an endowment fund that continues supporting causes year after year.

Increasingly, families are also involving children and grandchildren in discussions about legacy and giving. These conversations help pass on not just wealth, but also values.

To Whom Do We Give?

This is often the hardest question to answer.

Most people instinctively think first about family, and rightly so. A primary purpose of estate planning is ensuring loved ones are cared for and protected, but for many people, the circle of influence also extends further.

The challenge is not usually finding worthy causes to support; the challenge is identifying which causes best reflect the values and aspirations we want our legacy to represent.

One helpful question is: What change would I like to see in the world because I was here? The answer often provides a powerful starting point. There is no single right answer. The most meaningful giving is invariably personal.

A Legacy of Choice

As New Zealand stands at the beginning of one of the largest intergenerational wealth transfers in its history over the coming decades, significant wealth will move between generations, presenting an opportunity to shape not only family futures but also the future of our communities.

That is why Wills Month matters. A will is not simply a document about what happens after we are gone. It is an opportunity to reflect on the life we have lived, the people and causes we care about, and the impact we hope will endure.

This September, I encourage you to ask yourself three simple questions: Why do I give? How do I want to give? To whom do I want to give?

The answers may help shape not only your estate plan, but the legacy you leave behind.

As a founding partner of Community Foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand, Craigs Investment Partners is proud to support conversations that help New Zealanders align their wealth with their values and create lasting impact for future generations.