Best Online Will Services Compared
| Service | Price (Individual) | Price (Couple) | Provinces | Power of Attorney Included | Estate Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willful | $99–$249 | $178–$448 | All except QC | Yes (Premium+) | Yes (Premium) |
| Epilogue | $139 | $199 | All except QC | Yes (included) | Partial |
| LegalWills.ca | $40–$200 | $70–$350 | All provinces | Yes (separate purchase) | Yes (with bundle) |
| FormalWill.ca | $34.95 | $59.95 | All provinces | Yes (separate) | Partial |
| NoticeConnect (Willfora) | $119 | $199 | ON, BC, AB | Yes (included) | Partial |
| CLO (Canadian Legal Online) | $149 | $249 | All except QC | Yes (included) | Yes |
Detailed Service Reviews
Willful — Best Overall
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | Essentials $99, Premium $189, Premium Couples $338 |
| Provinces | All except Quebec |
| Will creation time | 20–30 minutes |
| Power of attorney | ✅ (Premium plan) |
| Guardianship for children | ✅ |
| Asset distribution | ✅ Specific gifts + residual estate |
| Charitable giving | ✅ |
| Digital assets | ✅ |
| Storage | Digital vault for documents |
| Updates | Unlimited updates (while subscription active) |
| Lawyer review option | ✅ Available as add-on ($150–$300) |
| Best for | Most Canadians with straightforward estates |
Epilogue — Best Value for Couples
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | Individual $139, Couples $199 |
| Provinces | All except Quebec |
| Will creation time | 20 minutes |
| Power of attorney | ✅ Included in all plans |
| Guardianship | ✅ |
| Mirror wills (couples) | ✅ |
| Asset distribution | ✅ |
| Legal support | Chat support with legal team |
| Updates | Unlimited |
| Partnership | Partnered with Canadian law associations |
| Best for | Couples wanting both wills + POA at one price |
LegalWills.ca — Most Affordable
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | Will only $40, Will + POA $100, Complete estate plan $200 |
| Provinces | All provinces including Quebec |
| Will creation time | 15–30 minutes |
| Power of attorney | ✅ (separate purchase or bundle) |
| Living will | ✅ (in bundle) |
| Updates | Free for 1 year, then $20/year |
| Legal review | Not included (DIY platform) |
| Best for | Budget-conscious users, simple estates |
| Note | Oldest online will platform in Canada (since 2000) |
Online Will vs Lawyer Comparison
| Factor | Online Will Service | Lawyer-Drafted Will |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $99–$400 | $500–$1,500+ (simple), $2,000–$5,000+ (complex) |
| Time | 20–30 minutes online | 2–4 weeks (including meeting, drafting, review) |
| Convenience | Complete from home, anytime | Office appointments required |
| Customization | Template-based, common scenarios | Fully customized to your situation |
| Legal advice | Limited (FAQ, chat support) | Personalized legal advice included |
| Complex estates | Not recommended | ✅ Essential |
| Tax planning | Basic | ✅ Advanced strategies (trusts, corporate structures) |
| Business owners | Not recommended | ✅ Essential |
| Cross-border assets | Not recommended | ✅ Essential |
| Henson trust (disabled beneficiary) | Not available | ✅ Specialized drafting |
| Updates | DIY, usually free | $200–$500 per update |
| Witnessing | You arrange your own witnesses | Often arranged at law office |
When to Use an Online Will
| Situation | Online Will OK? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Single or married, no children | ✅ | Simple estate |
| Married with children, basic assets | ✅ | Guardianship + standard distribution |
| Common-law partnership | ✅ | Especially important — no automatic inheritance in most provinces |
| Simple asset distribution (everything to spouse) | ✅ | Straightforward |
| Rental property in same province | ✅ | Most platforms handle this |
| RRSP/TFSA/insurance with named beneficiaries | ✅ | These pass outside the will anyway |
| Want power of attorney documents | ✅ | Most platforms include POA options |
When to Hire a Lawyer
| Situation | Why a Lawyer Is Needed |
|---|---|
| Blended family (children from different relationships) | Complex distribution, potential challenges |
| Business ownership (corporation, partnership) | Shareholder agreements, succession planning |
| Assets in multiple countries | Different legal systems, double taxation |
| Estate over $2 million | Tax planning (trusts, estate freeze, corporate reorganization) |
| Disabled beneficiary | Henson trust to protect disability benefits |
| Family conflict expected | Lawyer-drafted will is harder to challenge |
| Quebec (civil law) | Different rules; notarial will recommended |
| Cottage/vacation property in different province | Multi-jurisdictional will considerations |
| Want to disinherit a spouse or child | Complex legal requirements vary by province |
What You Need Before Creating an Online Will
| Document/Info | Why |
|---|---|
| Full legal names and birthdates of beneficiaries | Accurate identification |
| Executor name(s) and alternate | Who manages your estate |
| Guardian for minor children (and alternate) | Who raises your children |
| List of major assets (home, investments, insurance) | Ensure nothing is missed |
| RRSP/TFSA/insurance beneficiary designations | These pass outside the will |
| Power of attorney for property (who) | Manages finances if incapacitated |
| Power of attorney for personal care (who) | Makes health decisions if incapacitated |
| Specific gifts (jewelry, sentimental items) | Optional but important to some |
| Funeral wishes | Optional but helpful for family |
Provincial Differences
| Province | Witness Requirements | Holographic Will Valid? | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 2 witnesses, not beneficiaries | ✅ | Most common for online wills |
| British Columbia | 2 witnesses | ✅ | Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA) |
| Alberta | 2 witnesses | ✅ | — |
| Manitoba | 2 witnesses | ✅ | — |
| Saskatchewan | 2 witnesses | ✅ | — |
| Nova Scotia | 2 witnesses | ❌ | Must be formal, typed will |
| New Brunswick | 2 witnesses | ❌ | Must be formal will |
| PEI | 2 witnesses | ❌ | Must be formal will |
| Quebec | 2 witnesses (or notarized) | ✅ | Notarized will preferred (no probate); civil law system |
| Newfoundland | 2 witnesses | ✅ | — |
Power of Attorney: Essential Companion to a Will
| Document | What It Does | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Will | Distributes assets after death | After death only |
| POA for Property (Continuing) | Appoints someone to manage finances | If incapacitated (or anytime if specified) |
| POA for Personal Care | Appoints someone for health decisions | If incapacitated |
| Living Will/Advance Directive | Documents your health care wishes | If unable to communicate |
A will without a power of attorney is an incomplete estate plan. Most online will platforms offer POA documents as part of a premium package.