New Zealanders are being urged to be prepared for the grim reaper -- no matter what stage of life they're at.

A new survey by Public Trust has found less than half of us have a will.

And about a third of us fear we won't have enough to pass on to our children.

Public Trust Chief Executive Glenys Talivai told Tim Dower people aren't just worried about financial inheritance, but also other things like heirlooms.

"It was also about how people will be remembered, and equally very special things that might exist in families, such as heirlooms."

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