A properly prepared Last Will and Testament ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes. It saves your loved ones the stress of going through probate or fighting over who gets what, and you can appoint guardians or set up trusts for your minor children.
Among various methods you can prepare a Will, using the help of online Wills is one of the most convenient and cost-effective options.
This article covers the 3 best online wills in Ontario, including how they work, their costs, and their offerings.
Key Takeaways
- The top 3 online Wills in Ontario include LegalWills, Willful and Epilogue. LegalWills has the cheapest starting price of $49.95 for a lawyer-approved Last Will and Testament.
- Having a lawyer is not necessary to make a valid Will in Ontario.
- Online Will services are a convenient and cheaper alternative to having a lawyer write up your will. On average, their Will writing processes take less than half an hour to complete.
Best Online Will Kits in Ontario 2024
LegalWills
Operating since 2000
Offer various types of Wills
Create a legal Will from $49.95
20% discount with SAVVY20
Willful
Operating since 2017
Offer various Will packages
Create a legal Will from $99
15% exclusive discount
An Online Will service can save you hundreds of dollars compared to using a lawyer. They are also very convenient and can be completed online within minutes.
| Online Will Provider | Features | Price | Operating Since | Promo Code |
| LegalWills | Comprehensive estate planning services | $49.95 to $139.75 | 2000 | SAVVY20 |
| Willful | Last Will and Testament, Power of Attorney, and free Will registry | $99 to $329 | 2017 | N/A |
| Epilogue | Binding Will and Power of Attorney | $139 to $329 | 2019 | SAVVY20 |
1. LegalWills
LegalWills has been offering legal online Wills in Canada for over two decades. The company is based in Ottawa, Ontario.
LegalWills offers a comprehensive estate planning service, giving you options to choose from depending on your needs.
For example, you can use the platform to create your Last Will and Testament, Power of Attorney, Living Will, or Expatriate Will.
You can complete the online form in 20 minutes by following the step-by-step instructions.
A Last Will and Testament costs $49.95, and the add-ons have a fee ranging from $19.95 to $29.95.
Learn more about the company in this LegalWills review.
- Available: All Canadian provinces and territories, including Quebec
- Cost: $49.95; extra cost for add-ons; up to $129.95 for lifetime storage (1 year free)
- Promo Code: Use SAVVY20 to get a 20% discount
- Is it Legit? LegalWills has been operating in Canada since 2000. It is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau.
2. Willful
Wilful is one of the best Online Will services in Canada. It was founded in 2017 and is based in Toronto.
Using the platform, you can create a Will starting for as low as $99. When you sign up for a Willful plan using our exclusive referral link, you receive a 15% discount.
The Will writing process takes only about 20 minutes, and you receive guidance every step of the way.
Willful offers plans that may include a Last Will and Testament, Power of Attorney, free Will registry, and free edits and updates. It also offers “Mirror Wills” for couples.
Read this Willful review for a detailed description of what the company offers.
- Available in: Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, British Columbia and Quebec.
- Cost: $99 to $329; free unlimited updates.
- Promo Code: No promo code is required
- Is it Legit? Willful is a legitimate business with an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureaus. It uses AES-256 encryption to protect your data.
Related: How To Create a Will in Quebec.
3. Epilogue
Epilogue is an online estate planning platform founded by experienced estate lawyers.
It offers a legally binding Will and Power of Attorney documents that are indistinguishable from what a lawyer would prepare.
In Ontario, you also get an Affidavit of Execution with every Will, which is considered standard practice when completing a Will with a lawyer.
A Will created in Epilogue is easy to complete, with guidance provided throughout the process until you sign the document.
It takes approximately 20 mins to complete your Will, and free updates are included. Learn more about the company in this Epilogue review.
- Available in: Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, P.E.I, and Saskatchewan
- Cost: $139 to $329
- Promo Code: Use SAVVY20 to save $20
- Is it Legit? Epilogue uses Bcrypt technology to protect your password; secure HTTPS protocol to manage your sessions, and RSA/SHA-256 encryption to protect your data.
Online Will Kits in Ontario Compared
| Online Will Kit | Highlights | Promotions |
| LegalWills | Best Value | Use SAVVY20 for a 20% discount |
| Willful | Best Premium | Get a 15% discount |
| Epilogue | Best for Ease of Use | Use SAVVY20 to save $20 |
What is a Will?
A Will is a written legal document that outlines how you want your assets to be distributed and managed after your death.
Having a Will in place is a key aspect of your financial planning, particularly if you have a spouse or dependents (children) who outlive you.
You must be at least 18 years of age and be mentally competent to write a Will in Ontario.
The three main types of Wills in Canada are:
1. Holographic Wills in Ontario
This is a handwritten Will by a testator. For it to be valid, it must be written entirely in your handwriting and signed at the end. It also makes sense to add a date.
A holograph Will does not need to be witnessed.
Dangers with holographic Wills include:
- You may not be precise enough, leaving room for litigation in court
- Someone could claim that it is not your handwriting or that you were not mentally competent at the time
2. Will Kits in Ontario
This is a typewritten Will signed by you in front of two witnesses who also sign the document.
Several companies offer Online Wills that are pre-filled with language that complies with the Estate law in your province.
They guide you through the process of completing your Will, and afterward, you can print it off for signatures. You can also easily update it, reprint it, and sign it if needed in the future.
Note that for this Will to be valid, it must be signed by you in front of two witnesses. The witnesses must also sign the Will in front of you and each other.
Your witnesses cannot be beneficiaries in your Will (e.g. a spouse cannot witness your Will).
One of your witnesses can file an Affidavit of Execution in court stating that you signed the Will appropriately.
You may be able to witness your Will virtually in Ontario due to recent updates to the legislation brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Will Kit service or template is not advisable if:
- You have significant assets abroad
- You have a blended family
- You want to set up trusts for children or add custom clauses
- You need estate planning advice to save on taxes
- You have a complex estate
- You think your family will fight over your assets
3. Lawyer-written Wills in Ontario
You can hire an estate planning lawyer to write your Will. This is a great option when you need a customized Will and legal advice.
The cost of a Will written by a lawyer can range anywhere from $500 to $1,500.
In British Columbia and Quebec, notaries can also help you create a Will.
What Happens if You Die Without a Will
If you die without a Will, you are said to have died “intestate,” and your estate will have to go through the courts and follow your provincial intestacy legislation.
For example, in Ontario, the Succession Law Reform Act applies. Since you haven’t appointed an executor or estate trustee, the court appoints an administrator on your behalf.
Whether you write your own Will, use an online Will kit template, or use a lawyer, having a legal Will in place beats not having one.
Benefit of a Legal Online Will
If you have been putting off writing a Will because of the legal costs, or you can’t just find the time to visit a lawyer’s office, an Online Will may meet your need.
Some of the benefits of Online Will Services include:
- Convenience: You can complete your Will online from home and print it off for signatures and safekeeping when you are done.
- Easy to update: If your circumstances change, most Online Will Kits can be updated and reprinted whenever required.
- Access to other Estate Planning documents: They may also offer Power of Attorney documents, Living Wills, and others.
- Affordable: An Online Will is a lot cheaper than using a lawyer. Most cost less than $100 for a standard Last Will and Testament.
What is a Power of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney is a document that gives a person the authority to act on your behalf. In Ontario, there are two types of power of attorney:
1. Power of Attorney for Personal care: This person can make decisions relating to your healthcare need, housing, meals, clothing, etc., if you are incapacitated. In some provinces, this document is referred to as Personal Directive (e.g. Alberta and Nova Scotia).
2. Power of Attorney for Property: This person can make decisions about your finances, including managing your investments, paying your bills, and maintaining and selling your house.
A Power of Attorney may be General or Enduring (continuing).
A general power of attorney is only in force while you are mentally capable of managing your own affairs.
An enduring or continuing power of attorney remains in effect even if you become mentally incompetent.
In addition, you can prepare a Living Will that details the type of medical treatment you want if you become incapacitated. This document is also referred to as an Advance Directive or Health Care Directive.
In Ontario, you can include an advance directive with your power of attorney for personal care.
Related: Mortgage Life Insurance vs. Term Life Insurance
Ontario Wills FAQs
A handwritten Will, aka “holograph Will,” is valid in Ontario if it is signed, dated, includes your name and estate trustee (executor), and indicates who gets your property. You must also be mentally capable at the time you write the Will. Holograph Wills do not need to be witnessed.
A free Will template may be valid if it is completed, witnessed, and signed appropriately. Be careful, though. Many free Will templates are generic and do not account for differences in provincial estate laws. Also, it may be “free” in name only and have other hidden costs.
No, a lawyer is not required to make a valid Will in Ontario. Getting a lawyer to prepare your Will may help you avoid mistakes. In cases where you have assets outside Canada, have kids from a previous marriage, or want to exclude a beneficiary, legal help is advisable.
You can write your Will by hand, use a Will Kit, or use a lawyer.
A Will does not need to be notarized in Ontario to be valid. In Quebec, a notary can prepare a Will for you, also known as a Notarial Will.
Related:
Greetings, I’m the single mother & full time caregiver for my 27 yrs old son who has down syndrome. In the past I was never asked to show a P.O.A. document until recently when we went to do our taxes & the tax preparer made several errors on both our returns, the one which made me aware of P.O.A. was when we failed to receive our notice of assessments. I called Tax Revenue& was told unless I had P.O.A. I wasn’t able to correct this error on his tax file only mine. I explained how I was uncomfortable with his tax information going to an unknown address as whoever lives there may not be honest & use his S.i.N. for their gain. I then asked if they could at least put a hold on his documents & release them once I figured it out. They declined stating it was The law.The next time was at the bank, which i’ve always done his banking, was told I wasn’t able to access his money even though my son was with me & asked for his money. Then I was able to get his O.D.S.P. in the form of a cheque until I was able to get access from his worker at Disability stating I have their permissions to have control over his O.D.S.P money in the form of a signed document. However, it is only for that particular income. I was locked out of his bank account after I tried to access his online banking to see if his G.S.T. was deposited. I’m currently on O.D.S.P as well & have been trying to resolve this issue in order to do our taxes as it’s been 2yrs since we had them prepared. I don’t know where to begin or what the cost will be? If your able to aid me in expediting this I would be eternally grateful. We live in Hamilton Ontario. I look forward to your response.
Best Regards,
@Tara: Sorry to hear about your troubles with the ODSP. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do to help from our end. I think your best bet would be to contact both Service Ontario and your bank to sort this out. Hopefully, you are able to straighten out the kinks.
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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year ! God Bless
@Chris: Thanks for your feedback – happy to hear you have found the blog useful. Have a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, too!
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