Best Online Will In Canada 2025

Online wills are digital documents that allow you to create a legally binding will through an online platform. After completion, they are typically printed, signed, and witnessed to ensure their validity.

The best online will in Canada is Epilogue Wills. Making a will with Epilogue Wills can save you time and hassle by removing the need for in-person lawyer appointments. As with most online wills, Epilogue Wills is typically more cost-friendly than making a traditional will.

Creating a will is an important part of managing your finances and planning for the future. Below is a review of your best online options

Key Takeaways

• The best online will creation service in Canada is Epilogue Wills.
• Online wills offer a quick, convenient, and cost-effective way to create this kind of legal document.
• Using an online will service isn't the best choice for everyone, especially if your legal or financial situation isn’t straightforward.

Best online will in Canada

Methodology

To evaluate online will services, we analyze over 10 data points to generate a trustworthy Genius Rating. We consider all aspects of an online will service, including fees, free updates, asset records, app ratings, and the ability to register with the Canada will registry, to assess its overall value. Then, the service’s features are rated based on how they stack up against other available options.

Best online will 2025 winner: Epilogue Wills

Epilogue WillsCompare

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Min Fee

$139

Max Fee

$199

Free Will Updates

Create A Record Of Your Assets

Overview Pros & Cons Product Features

Overview

3.8 Genius Rating

4.6 (5) User Reviews

Your Will may be one of the most important documents you'll ever create in your life – but it's also one of the hardest. Epilogue Wills makes it easy by offering a fast and low-cost method to create your Will entirely online.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• More affordable than traditional methods
• Saves time and is easy to use
• Created by experts in the industry
• Create a social media Will
• First Will platform to let you name a professional trust company as executor

Cons

• Not appropriate for those with complicated finances
• Information centre isn't all that helpful
• Unavailable in certain provinces

Product Features

Provinces

AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, SK

Eligibility

• Age of majority
• Canadian resident (except in Quebec or territories)

Why You Want It

Easily create your customized Will online + Unlimited free updates when you need them.

Special Features

• Convenient and legally binding service
• Update for free whenever you like
• Option to create Incapacity Documents alongside your Will
• Works with charities to make leaving a bequest a simple process
• Partnership with RBC

Min Fee

$139

Max Fee

$199

Free Will Updates

Create A Record Of Your Assets

Abilty To Register Your Will With The Canada Will Registry

Create Incapacitation Documents

 

Our top online will creation service for 2025 is Epilogue Wills. With unlimited free updates at any time, an in-depth assessment process, a partnership with RBC, and a low price compared to traditional Will creation, Epilogue Wills makes Will writing a simple and streamlined process.

Though it may not be the best choice for people with complicated finances, Epilogue Wills is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a quick and easy way to create their Will.

Why we picked it:

• Founded and run by experienced estate lawyers
• Partnership with RBC
• Preview your documents before you pay

Best online will for value: LegalWills

LegalWills was established in 2000, making it the longest-standing service we've reviewed. It provides four main packages for individuals and/or couples as well as the option to build your own estate planning package.

Why we picked it:

• Partnerships with Air Miles, Sun Life, CAA, and Meridian Credit Union
• Free updates for the first year
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Best premium online will service: Willful

Although Willful's online will creation service isn't as affordable as some other options, it provides reassurance by using estate lawyers from each province. This level of detail, the money-back guarantee, and the option to pay in installments combine to make this a highly valuable, yet still affordable, choice.

Why we picked it:

• Intuitive and user-friendly platform
• More comprehensive than the average online will service
• Built and approved by experienced estate lawyers in each province

Best one-stop legal service: LawDepot

Established in 2001, LawDepot provides a range of other customizable legal documents, such as powers of attorney and living wills, which can be created alongside your will.

Why we picked it:

• Offers other legal services to complement your will
• Convenient phone, email, and chat support options
• Services in Canada, U.S.A., Australia, U.K., and more

Who should consider an online will?

Online wills are easy and inexpensive, but they're not for everyone. Here's a look at who can benefit from an online will:

• Someone with children
• Someone with few assets/investments
• Someone who owns a property (in Canada)
• Someone who needs a will prepared quickly
• Someone who wants to save money
• Someone who doesn't want/need to appoint a power of attorney

Everyone should have a will, but if your estate plan is complicated, you'll likely want to consult a lawyer and prepare a more traditional type of will. If you have multiple properties and/or assets (especially outside of Canada), have a blended family, or have a child with special needs, you should probably not use an online will service.

Cost of an online will vs. a lawyer

A basic will package with one of the online will service we've reviewed costs between $24 and $139. Canadian Lawyer magazine estimates that a lawyer-drafted will cost an average of $652 in 2021.

Some online will services provide unlimited updates, though some are limited to the first year. Fees range from $3.20 to $39 per year for unlimited updates after this first year.

The hourly rate for an estate lawyer varies significantly across Canada. In Ontario, for instance, a lawyer could charge anywhere from $500 to $1,000 for two to four hours of work for an estate assessment.

Details like appointing a power of attorney and printing your documents are usually included in the package fee or hourly rate you pay an estate lawyer. Online will services, though, typically charge extra for these services. It could be anywhere from $9.95 to $39.00.

You should also consider the cost of transportation to and from a lawyer's office, as well as the time required to commute to and meet with them.

What happens if you die without a will by province

The term "intestate" refers to someone who dies without having a will. Each province and territory has different regulations regarding the distribution of an intestate estate, though they usually involve the spouse and children receiving all or portions of the estate.

Alberta

• The estate goes to the spouse/partner, or to the children if there's no spouse.
• If the spouse has children with the deceased, the spouse receives the entire estate. If the deceased has children with a different partner, those children and the spouse all receive portions of the estate.
• If there's no spouse or children, the estate is distributed to other relatives.
• If there aren't any relatives, the estate becomes property of the Crown.

British Columbia

• The estate goes to the spouse/partner, or to the children if there's no spouse.
• If the spouse has children with the deceased, the spouse and the children each receive portions of the entire estate. If the deceased has children with a different partner, the spouse and those children receive portions of the estate, but the children receive the larger share.
• If there's no spouse or children, the estate is distributed to other relatives.
• If there are no relatives, the provincial government keeps all assets.

Manitoba

• The estate goes to the spouse/partner, or to the children if there's no spouse.
• If the spouse has children with the deceased, the spouse receives the entire estate. If the deceased has children with a different partner, those children and the spouse all receive portions of the estate.
• If there's no spouse or children, the estate is distributed to other relatives.
• If there are no relatives, the provincial government keeps all assets.

New Brunswick

• The estate goes to the spouse/partner, or to the children if there's no spouse.
• If the spouse has children with the deceased, the spouse and the children each receive portions of the entire estate.
• If there's no spouse or children, the estate is distributed to other relatives.
• If there are no relatives, the provincial government keeps all assets.

Newfoundland and Labrador

• The estate goes to the spouse, or to the children if there's no spouse. Common law partners aren't recognized and therefore aren't entitled to any part of the estate.
• If the spouse has children with the deceased, the spouse and the children each receive portions of the entire estate.
• If there's no spouse or children, the estate is distributed to other relatives.

Northwest Territories

• The estate goes to the spouse/partner, or to the children if there's no spouse.
• If the spouse has children with the deceased, the spouse and the children each receive portions of the entire estate.
• If there's no spouse or children, the estate is distributed to other relatives.
• If there aren't any relatives, the estate becomes property of the Crown.

Nova Scotia

• The estate goes to the spouse, or to the children if there's no spouse. Common-law and same-sex partners aren't included, unless they have a registered domestic partnership.
• If the deceased has children, the spouse and all children receive portions of the entire estate.
• If there's no spouse or children, the estate is distributed to other relatives.
• If there are no relatives, the provincial government keeps all assets.

Nunavut

• The estate goes to the spouse/partner.
• If the deceased has children, the spouse and all children receive portions of the entire estate. The spouse may choose to receive the home instead of funds.
• If there's no spouse or children, the estate is distributed to other relatives.

Ontario

• The estate goes to the spouse, or to the children if there's no spouse. Common-law partners aren't included.
• If the deceased has children, the spouse and all children receive portions of the entire estate.
• If there's no spouse or children, the estate is distributed to other relatives.
• If there are no relatives, the provincial government keeps all assets.

Prince Edward Island

• The estate goes to the spouse/partner.
• If the deceased has children, the spouse and all children receive portions of the entire estate.
• If there's no spouse or children, the estate is distributed to other relatives.
• If there are no relatives, the provincial government keeps all assets.

Quebec

• If the deceased has children, the spouse and all children receive portions of the entire estate. Common-law partners are not included.
• If there are no children, the spouse and parents of the deceased receive portions of the entire estate. If the parents are also deceased, the spouse and siblings of the deceased receive portions of the estate.
• If there's no spouse, the children receive the entire estate.
• If there's no spouse or children, the estate is distributed to other relatives.

Saskatchewan

• The estate goes to the spouse, or to the children if there's no spouse.
• If the spouse has children with the deceased, the spouse receives the entire estate. If the deceased has children with a different partner, those children and the spouse all receive portions of the estate.
• If there's no spouse or children, the estate is distributed to other relatives.

Yukon

• The estate goes to the spouse, or to the children if there's no spouse. Common-law partners are not always included.
• If the deceased has children, the spouse and all children receive portions of the entire estate. The spouse receives the first $75,000, and the rest is split between the spouse and children.
• If there's no spouse or children, the estate is distributed to other relatives.

What life events merit updating your will?

These are circumstances and life events that should prompt you to update your will.

• You get married or divorced
• You have a child (including adoption)
• Your child turns 18
• Your child gets married
• You retire
• Your assets change in value
• You can't find or don't have access to your previous will
• Your executor or administrator dies or becomes unfit for the role
• Your province/territory's tax or estate laws change

How to create a will online

The order of these steps can vary depending on which online will service you use, but here is the basic outline for creating your online will:

• Fill out your personal information: Input your name, address, and other relevant info.
• Make a list of your assets: This can include bank accounts, real estate, investments, personal belongings, etc.
• Choose your beneficiaries: These are the people (or person) who will inherit your assets. It can be family, friends, or even organizations.
• Name a guardian for your kids: This is only necessary if they're minors. You may also want to name a contingent guardian in case your first choice can't or won't agree to the responsibility.
• Decide who will care for your pets: You can also set aside funds to help with the cost of caring for your pet.
• Add any specific wishes: Note any bequests, charitable donations, funeral arrangements, or other details that haven't been covered yet.
• Name your executor: Choose someone you trust implicitly and ask them if they're willing to take on this responsibility.
• Review and edit as needed: As this is an important legal document, you want to ensure everything is complete and correct.
• Sign the document: You'll need two witnesses to sign it as well.
• Update as necessary: There will be occasions and life changes that will require you to revisit this document and update certain information.

Pros and cons of online wills