Online wills made easy for Albertans

Yes. An online will made with a platform like Willful is legal in Canada. However, there are some steps that need to be taken in order for it to meet the criteria for a legal will in Canada. Each Willful will comes with detailed instructions for signing and witnessing so you can feel confident that you have a legally-valid will.

A person who dies without a will is called an intestate, and most people don’t know what happens if you die without one. It’s a common myth that the government can claim your money and assets, but it’s not true. They do have the ability to have a say in how your assets or estate gets divided between family members. Creating a will also means you can control how your assets are distributed to beneficiaries over time, instead of children receiving a lump sum when they turn 18.

You don’t need a lawyer to draft your will. In Canada, as long as the will is in writing, signed by you and two adult witnesses who are present at the same time, it’s legally valid. The signed original should be stored safely where your executor or family can access it. However, if your estate is complex, consulting a lawyer may be a good idea.

While most Canadian provinces require wills to be printed, signed, and stored as hard copies, British Columbia does allow for wills to be signed and stored electronically. We’re working to expand this option across Canada, but for now, customers in other provinces need to follow the traditional process to ensure their will is legally binding.

Power of attorney documents govern your personal, medical, legal, and financial life *before* you pass away. In contrast, your Last will and testament only takes effect *after* you die. Willful Power of attorney documents are intended to be used in a personal accident or medical emergency on your behalf. In a legal sense, their powers 'endure' beyond your mental incapacity.

Willful is designed for all Canadian adults, whether they have assets or not. While Willful is a great fit for most Canadians, some estates may be too complex for our platform.

Creating a legal will involves abiding with provincial and territorial laws. We are working with our team of estate lawyers to expand across Canada.

Right now our wills are  available to residents of all Canadian provinces, including Ontario, Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, PEI, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan.

We are also available to residents of Quebec.
Visit our site for Quebec residents →